"So whatya gonna do...?"
This has been inspired by a comment on another forum, but let's see the reactions here.
A police officer has many weapons and means of coercion available, including a Taser, Mace, and, of course backup. But an armed citizen has none of those, and many non-lethal weapons are illegal for a citizen to own, let alone carry. Further, a citizen is usually restricted by law to defense of him/herself and family.
So an attacker does something very bad to someone in your presence and simply walks away. You draw your gun and call to him to stop. His reply is a suggestion that you do something biologically impossible and he asks, "So what are you gonna do, shoot me?" and keeps on walking.
The threat to you, if it existed, is ended. You are not authorized to make an arrest or to shoot to stop a fleeing felon. A citizen's arrest would be on shaky ground; even police would hesitate to shoot if the suspected (not convicted) felon is simply walking away.
So, what is the alternative? Shoot and take your chances with a prosecutor and a jury? Let the perp stroll away and lose himself? Note his description for the police? Try to tackle him without shooting? Tell him he is behaving in an anti-social manner and that he will get coal in his stocking?
Jim
This has been inspired by a comment on another forum, but let's see the reactions here.
A police officer has many weapons and means of coercion available, including a Taser, Mace, and, of course backup. But an armed citizen has none of those, and many non-lethal weapons are illegal for a citizen to own, let alone carry. Further, a citizen is usually restricted by law to defense of him/herself and family.
So an attacker does something very bad to someone in your presence and simply walks away. You draw your gun and call to him to stop. His reply is a suggestion that you do something biologically impossible and he asks, "So what are you gonna do, shoot me?" and keeps on walking.
The threat to you, if it existed, is ended. You are not authorized to make an arrest or to shoot to stop a fleeing felon. A citizen's arrest would be on shaky ground; even police would hesitate to shoot if the suspected (not convicted) felon is simply walking away.
So, what is the alternative? Shoot and take your chances with a prosecutor and a jury? Let the perp stroll away and lose himself? Note his description for the police? Try to tackle him without shooting? Tell him he is behaving in an anti-social manner and that he will get coal in his stocking?
Jim