Does anyone have any personal accounts of using a gun in self defense? Mainly any situations which involved you, family and/or close friends. I realize, given the legalities involved, they may have taken place some time ago but I was interested in the emotional, legal and financial impacts of these events.
Tales of self defense...
- Thread starter ATN082268
- Start date
Nope.
And I hope I never have a tale like this to tell.
American Rifleman usually publishes stories of SD/HD shootings every month. They do not comment on the emotional, legal or financial impact of the shooting however.
I'd be interested in hearing from someone that's lived it as well. But I'm guessing that most people that have been put in this situation aren't all that keen to discuss it openly.
And I hope I never have a tale like this to tell.
American Rifleman usually publishes stories of SD/HD shootings every month. They do not comment on the emotional, legal or financial impact of the shooting however.
I'd be interested in hearing from someone that's lived it as well. But I'm guessing that most people that have been put in this situation aren't all that keen to discuss it openly.
It would be a SUPER bad idea to post such things.
Even if you are 100% correct and were cleared 100% by a court, the haters and the left look for such things to attack.
Even military men who know a lot about shooting to kill are well advised to NEVER post their stories.
The first amendment says we all have freedom of speech, but being charged or even reviewed for "hate crimes" because of what you say is common today.
Americans have not demanded retaliation against those that would seek to destroy the Bill of rights so it must be assumed that the large majority of people in the USA accept this kind of destruction of their rights.
It may not be right, and it is not lawful to seek the destruction of the Bill of Rights, but it is common at every level of government and also even in the private sector. See how censored things can be even on this site.
So please pay attention to the reality of the times. Say nothing on the net about fights you have been in and never post such a story, no matter what.
Even if you are 100% correct and were cleared 100% by a court, the haters and the left look for such things to attack.
Even military men who know a lot about shooting to kill are well advised to NEVER post their stories.
The first amendment says we all have freedom of speech, but being charged or even reviewed for "hate crimes" because of what you say is common today.
Americans have not demanded retaliation against those that would seek to destroy the Bill of rights so it must be assumed that the large majority of people in the USA accept this kind of destruction of their rights.
It may not be right, and it is not lawful to seek the destruction of the Bill of Rights, but it is common at every level of government and also even in the private sector. See how censored things can be even on this site.
So please pay attention to the reality of the times. Say nothing on the net about fights you have been in and never post such a story, no matter what.
ATN082268 said:
Not my story but anyone wants to know the financial, legal and other impacts from a lawful self defense shooting should read Larry Hickey's story....
http://armedcitizensnetwork.org/images/stories/Hickey Booklet.pdf
Deaf Smith
New member
Held a burgler at bay once. Used a Colt Cobra .38 and Berns-Martin upside-down shoulder holster (back in the 70's.)
Deputy sheriff came and took the miscreant away.
Bad guy told the deputy we had called him in and pulled a gun on him. The deputy laughed. See, the guy was well known to the cops.
Never heard back from the sheriff's office.
Financial cost.. 0.
I miss that old Cobra (gun that is.)
Deaf
Deputy sheriff came and took the miscreant away.
Bad guy told the deputy we had called him in and pulled a gun on him. The deputy laughed. See, the guy was well known to the cops.
Never heard back from the sheriff's office.
Financial cost.. 0.
I miss that old Cobra (gun that is.)
Deaf
I got one from the other side.
My ex-wife's cousin, a teen-ager, not long out of high school, was working as a maintenance man for a local apartment complex. He thought it would be a good idea to take up breaking and entering for fun and profit. He had a pass key, so he'd open door, call out "maintenance!" If someone answered, he'd apologize and say he had the wrong apartment. If not, he was in. Never took anything big he said, just a pack of smokes, a CD, an half empty bottle of booze...that type stuff. Stuff that wouldn't really be missed. He did it more for "something to do" he told me several years later.
One morning he went into an apartment where he was sure the occupants were at work. He called out, no answer. Good. As he casually moseyed around poking into this and that, he heard a noise at the top of the stairs. When he looked up the steps, he realized there was a very frightened woman there...and she was pointing a pump shotgun at HIM (she was home sick that day he later found out).
He said, "I very carefully lay face down on the floor, all the while begging..."Please lady...call the cops...please don't shoot me." She did. They came. He said he was never so glad to see a cop in his life. "She never said a word to me. Just called the cops, all the while keeping that shotgun on me."
He did a stretch at the local county graybar Hilton. Lost his job of course. Got a felony conviction with all that goes with that. That was 30-35 years ago I guess. Last time I saw him he still praised God that that woman hadn't shot him. Must have scared him straight. Far as I know he hasn't been in any trouble at all since then.
Don't know what happened to the lady. I suppose she just went on back to bed.
My ex-wife's cousin, a teen-ager, not long out of high school, was working as a maintenance man for a local apartment complex. He thought it would be a good idea to take up breaking and entering for fun and profit. He had a pass key, so he'd open door, call out "maintenance!" If someone answered, he'd apologize and say he had the wrong apartment. If not, he was in. Never took anything big he said, just a pack of smokes, a CD, an half empty bottle of booze...that type stuff. Stuff that wouldn't really be missed. He did it more for "something to do" he told me several years later.
One morning he went into an apartment where he was sure the occupants were at work. He called out, no answer. Good. As he casually moseyed around poking into this and that, he heard a noise at the top of the stairs. When he looked up the steps, he realized there was a very frightened woman there...and she was pointing a pump shotgun at HIM (she was home sick that day he later found out).
He said, "I very carefully lay face down on the floor, all the while begging..."Please lady...call the cops...please don't shoot me." She did. They came. He said he was never so glad to see a cop in his life. "She never said a word to me. Just called the cops, all the while keeping that shotgun on me."
He did a stretch at the local county graybar Hilton. Lost his job of course. Got a felony conviction with all that goes with that. That was 30-35 years ago I guess. Last time I saw him he still praised God that that woman hadn't shot him. Must have scared him straight. Far as I know he hasn't been in any trouble at all since then.
Don't know what happened to the lady. I suppose she just went on back to bed.
I fell asleep at around 9:00 (tired from work) wearing a pair of gym shorts. My 4" 357 was, as always, within arm's reach.
At some point later in the night there was a lot of screaming and cursing and crashing from next door, where a lady who was my friend lived alone. I ran outside my gun in my hand. Some guy in his 20's was trying to force his way through the door. It was partially open and my friend was desperately trying to keep him from getting in. He was screaming curses and sounded wasted on booze or drugs. He had a foot inside the door and was slowly pushing it open.
I didn't want to shoot him. I shouted at him to leave at once, but he ignored me or didn't hear. I fired a shot into the mud at the base of a large tree and shouted in no uncertain terms that the next one was for him. He immediately ran off.
LEO's showed up about 30 seconds later. I quickly explained what had happened, pointed the direction he had run, and told them that they could probably catch him if they hurried.
They spoke with my neighbor to verify my story, then spent five minutes or so berating me and telling me that they should really arrest me for discharging a firearm within the city limits. Finally they let me off with a warning. They never made any attempt to catch the perpetrator. (It wasn't a BF/GF situation. She had never seen him before in her life.)
There was a similar incident a few years previous which involved someone apparently attempting to abduct my first wife back when we were still married. He also made a quick departure when he saw the 357.
I am very glad that I didn't have to shoot anyone. I was ready to if necessary, but neither of them drew a weapon and both left the scene immediately. In both cases it was very fortunate that I was present and armed.
At some point later in the night there was a lot of screaming and cursing and crashing from next door, where a lady who was my friend lived alone. I ran outside my gun in my hand. Some guy in his 20's was trying to force his way through the door. It was partially open and my friend was desperately trying to keep him from getting in. He was screaming curses and sounded wasted on booze or drugs. He had a foot inside the door and was slowly pushing it open.
I didn't want to shoot him. I shouted at him to leave at once, but he ignored me or didn't hear. I fired a shot into the mud at the base of a large tree and shouted in no uncertain terms that the next one was for him. He immediately ran off.
LEO's showed up about 30 seconds later. I quickly explained what had happened, pointed the direction he had run, and told them that they could probably catch him if they hurried.
They spoke with my neighbor to verify my story, then spent five minutes or so berating me and telling me that they should really arrest me for discharging a firearm within the city limits. Finally they let me off with a warning. They never made any attempt to catch the perpetrator. (It wasn't a BF/GF situation. She had never seen him before in her life.)
There was a similar incident a few years previous which involved someone apparently attempting to abduct my first wife back when we were still married. He also made a quick departure when he saw the 357.
I am very glad that I didn't have to shoot anyone. I was ready to if necessary, but neither of them drew a weapon and both left the scene immediately. In both cases it was very fortunate that I was present and armed.
I have one...
A close friend was awoken in the middle of the night to a sound outside. After 10 minutes of hearing something weird he got up, went downstairs and saw a guy coming into his kitchen from their back porch. He fired a shot into his wall and the guy ran. I guess he kind of froze up and instead of yelling just fired the gun but purposely away from the guy. The guy was caught by police a few minutes later. Moral of the story - practice so you don't freeze up, have a plan, this home invasion was stopped by 1 shot, calibur/type of gun didn't matter.
A close friend was awoken in the middle of the night to a sound outside. After 10 minutes of hearing something weird he got up, went downstairs and saw a guy coming into his kitchen from their back porch. He fired a shot into his wall and the guy ran. I guess he kind of froze up and instead of yelling just fired the gun but purposely away from the guy. The guy was caught by police a few minutes later. Moral of the story - practice so you don't freeze up, have a plan, this home invasion was stopped by 1 shot, calibur/type of gun didn't matter.
Don,t f this qualifies . I was fly fishing alone in the middle of nowhere in north central Pa. The biggest , meanest looking dog came growling and snarling out of the woods.
By the time I pulled my 1911 he was maybe 5 feet from me. The weird part is when I raised it and click off the safety he froze in his tracks.
We look at each for a couple of seconds, then he turned and ran off in to the woods. I can only guess maybe he had been around guns before. Never saw him again.
Probably not what your looking for ,But that's as close as I've come.
By the time I pulled my 1911 he was maybe 5 feet from me. The weird part is when I raised it and click off the safety he froze in his tracks.
We look at each for a couple of seconds, then he turned and ran off in to the woods. I can only guess maybe he had been around guns before. Never saw him again.
Probably not what your looking for ,But that's as close as I've come.
Old Bill Dibble
New member
I am not sure you can know that. There may have been other units in the area looking for the guy.
I'll share an older and simple story.
I was working on a rental property I own that was vacant at the time. I had parked behind the house to unload some stuff. I had left the front door and several windows open to let the place air out.
An older pickup truck pulled up in the driveway very slowly. A man who looked very much like he was a frequent user of methamphetamines got out of the truck and walked right in the front door. I was in the back and working in the kitchen. I know all of this only because I watched the video footage later.
I hear someone walking around in the front and went to check it out. I startled the hell out of the guy who was examining the wiring at a junction box (presumably to see if was copper). Conversation went like this:
Methhead: (Stands up, turns, starts to close the distance rapidly between me and him and then stops in his tracks)... "Hey, man I didn't know anyone lived here"
Me: (adopting more of a defense posture with hand on gun in holster) "I don't live here I am renovating and getting ready to rent it"
Methhead: (Stares intently at 1911 on my hip) "Oh I didn't mean to bother you man"
Me: "What are you doing in here?"
Methead: "Uh, I just like old houses... I just wanted to see what was inside..."
Me: "I'm inside, I am camping out here until I get the place rented"
Methhead: (backpedaling towards door) "Yeah man I am really sorry, I won't bother you any more, really sorry"
Me: (waits for methhead to leave and closes and locks door, shakes head)
jaytothekizzay
New member
Had to fire off a few rounds to scare off a nosey bear, a few years ago while camping.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Bob Wright
New member
I know of several men who have had to shoot in cases of an armed robbery attempt.
The one I know most about involves an older man who operates a repair shop, a one man shop. He was robbed and pistol whipped by two thugs once, and bought a revolver after that for self defense.
Again two thugs came in to rob him, but this time he was armed and shot both would-be robbers, one fatally.
He was not charged with any crime, since it was ruled self defense. Hence, no monetary outlay. And no apparent emotional scars either.
Under Tennessee law, use of a firearm in self defense brings no charges Against the shooter, and no civil lawsuits can follow.
Bob Wright
The one I know most about involves an older man who operates a repair shop, a one man shop. He was robbed and pistol whipped by two thugs once, and bought a revolver after that for self defense.
Again two thugs came in to rob him, but this time he was armed and shot both would-be robbers, one fatally.
He was not charged with any crime, since it was ruled self defense. Hence, no monetary outlay. And no apparent emotional scars either.
Under Tennessee law, use of a firearm in self defense brings no charges Against the shooter, and no civil lawsuits can follow.
Bob Wright
Lunged, I had a similar experience in Idaho's White clouds. A dog we saw chasing a deer which turned his attention to us... Hackles and teeth with me pointing a dick spec. at his head encouraging the dog to make a move..He decided to slink away. I like dogs but this one was on his way out and he figured it out.
Tactical Jackalope
New member
Everyone saying it's a "bad idea" to post it, it's really not. If all is said and done and the case is closed, it's not a bad idea at all. People can learn from such issues.
I've only had one and I don't feel it's a bad idea to say what happened. However, I don't want to. But I did learn a lot from it and everyone learns from one another. No one knows everything. So learn a lot and listen to everyone, pick what resonates in you and to your logic.
I will say, situational awareness is probably the most important thing as is a good holster and being able to get to your firearm as quickly as possible from all position. Sitting down, standing, kneeling, ducking, etc.
I've only had one and I don't feel it's a bad idea to say what happened. However, I don't want to. But I did learn a lot from it and everyone learns from one another. No one knows everything. So learn a lot and listen to everyone, pick what resonates in you and to your logic.
I will say, situational awareness is probably the most important thing as is a good holster and being able to get to your firearm as quickly as possible from all position. Sitting down, standing, kneeling, ducking, etc.
self defense stories...
being a total poop magnet, I have a few...
I'll start with this one..
At the time I lived in a nice section of the bronx. This particular day I was cashing my paycheck at the bank. After depositing and taking some cash, I started the walk home. About 5 blocks. I was carrying my S&W model 36 in an ankle holster on my left ankle. As I was walking I noticed a guy about 20 or so seemed to be real interested in me so I crossed the street, I noticed that he crossd as well... when I crossed back, he crossed back over. OK so now I know I'm going to get robbed.... my issue was how do I draw my gun and be ready when he rushes me or follows me into the lobby. I had to stop and put my foot up on a car bumper and get hands on my gun. The guy see's this and suddenly remembers he's got to be someplace else.
What did I learn from this? First and foremost I learned that ankle carry is a bad idea. If the guy had rushed me I may have been in trouble. I also gained confidence in my powers of observation, and situational awareness. I've never carried in an ankle holster since.
being a total poop magnet, I have a few...
I'll start with this one..
At the time I lived in a nice section of the bronx. This particular day I was cashing my paycheck at the bank. After depositing and taking some cash, I started the walk home. About 5 blocks. I was carrying my S&W model 36 in an ankle holster on my left ankle. As I was walking I noticed a guy about 20 or so seemed to be real interested in me so I crossed the street, I noticed that he crossd as well... when I crossed back, he crossed back over. OK so now I know I'm going to get robbed.... my issue was how do I draw my gun and be ready when he rushes me or follows me into the lobby. I had to stop and put my foot up on a car bumper and get hands on my gun. The guy see's this and suddenly remembers he's got to be someplace else.
What did I learn from this? First and foremost I learned that ankle carry is a bad idea. If the guy had rushed me I may have been in trouble. I also gained confidence in my powers of observation, and situational awareness. I've never carried in an ankle holster since.