Yes sir, I would rather have it by your hand trying to save their lives as opposed to a POS BG who wants only to end it. I would look at you just like a surgeon that couldn't save them, or as someone who did CPR and did not prevent their death, but did do THEIR BEST. To me, that is all anyone can ask of another person.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Should I play the hero or be a "good witness"?
- Thread starter JohnH1963
- Start date
Yes sir, I would rather have it by your hand trying to save their lives as opposed to a POS BG who wants only to end it. I would look at you just like a surgeon that couldn't save them, or as someone who did CPR and did not prevent their death, but did do THEIR BEST. To me, that is all anyone can ask of another person.
There is no way anyone else can tell you what is right in a hypothetical situation.
As a private citizen, you have a primary duty to take care of yourself and your family. Putting yourself in unnecessary danger is a violation of that primary duty.
You do have some moral responsibility to other people though, and its possible at some point that responsibility might outweigh the responsibility you have to yourself and your family. Where that line is drawn is strictly an individual decision.
If the situation dictates, you may be in a position where danger to yourself or your family forces you to take appropriate action. Its an easy decision to protect yourself or your family.
If it is solely about property, stay out of it. That is also an easy decision.
If there is an almost certainty that an innocent third party will die if you do nothing, you have to make a hard choice very quickly. Its better if you give that choice some consideration up front rather than waiting for it to happen.
As a private citizen, you have a primary duty to take care of yourself and your family. Putting yourself in unnecessary danger is a violation of that primary duty.
You do have some moral responsibility to other people though, and its possible at some point that responsibility might outweigh the responsibility you have to yourself and your family. Where that line is drawn is strictly an individual decision.
If the situation dictates, you may be in a position where danger to yourself or your family forces you to take appropriate action. Its an easy decision to protect yourself or your family.
If it is solely about property, stay out of it. That is also an easy decision.
If there is an almost certainty that an innocent third party will die if you do nothing, you have to make a hard choice very quickly. Its better if you give that choice some consideration up front rather than waiting for it to happen.
Last edited:
MTMilitiaman
New member
I'll admit I've run through the scenarios in my mind and had a good deal of fun imagining playing the hero. But when it comes right down to it, fantasies aside, the reality of the matter is that I am not in a hurry to do anything that is going to draw gunfire in my direction. If I can find cover or leave the area, that is a much safer and saner option, IMO.
Call me a coward, but if I can avoid being a target and avoid future legal scrutiny, I am going to. Not playing the hero means I don't have to explain to a jury why I had a semi-automatic rifle in my truck, why I was so willing to be Rambo, and also reduces the chance that one of my rounds kills or injures an innocent bystander to exactly 0%.
Plus, from both a legal and ethical standpoint, anytime there is doubt in your mind as to whether you should shoot, you probably shouldn't be shooting.
Now if I find myself in the crossfire, then things have already gone terribly wrong. In that case, I will absolutely return fire.
Call me a coward, but if I can avoid being a target and avoid future legal scrutiny, I am going to. Not playing the hero means I don't have to explain to a jury why I had a semi-automatic rifle in my truck, why I was so willing to be Rambo, and also reduces the chance that one of my rounds kills or injures an innocent bystander to exactly 0%.
Plus, from both a legal and ethical standpoint, anytime there is doubt in your mind as to whether you should shoot, you probably shouldn't be shooting.
Now if I find myself in the crossfire, then things have already gone terribly wrong. In that case, I will absolutely return fire.
Probably the best way this has been said yet in this thread:
And if there is no doubt, Fire when ready.
Plus, from both a legal and ethical standpoint, anytime there is doubt in your mind as to whether you should shoot, you probably shouldn't be shooting.
And if there is no doubt, Fire when ready.
The one thing i decided when carrying was that i had given myself more responsibility.
Now that I carry I must be passive. A guy flips me off on the road, I smile and wave and mouth sorry for whatever it was i did.
It helps filtering the true bad guys. If someone cusses you on the road or on the street. Whatever.
The real bad guy will take it to the next step. running you off the road and coming at you putting you in a corner. Let the bad guy write his own fate.
When you know at the end of the line is a bullet from your gun fired into the body of someone who decided to attack you, you should be more secure in life.
Now that I carry I must be passive. A guy flips me off on the road, I smile and wave and mouth sorry for whatever it was i did.
It helps filtering the true bad guys. If someone cusses you on the road or on the street. Whatever.
The real bad guy will take it to the next step. running you off the road and coming at you putting you in a corner. Let the bad guy write his own fate.
When you know at the end of the line is a bullet from your gun fired into the body of someone who decided to attack you, you should be more secure in life.
If I was armed and there was a guy pointing a gun at someone,obviously trying to rob them,I would feel that I did not do what was right if that robber killed the person right in front of me.
That said,I would not pull my gun and try to reason with that robber.
I don't like getting shot.
The rest is for what happens if it ever happens.
That said,I would not pull my gun and try to reason with that robber.
I don't like getting shot.
The rest is for what happens if it ever happens.
Here is something you can read about being the "hero."
http://www.stoppingpower.net/commentary/comm_dangers_in_intervention.asp
http://www.stoppingpower.net/commentary/comm_dangers_in_intervention.asp