MightyAchilles
New member
It really is some scary stuff Tunnel. Only thing we can do is be prepared and hope and pray nothing ever happens where defense is needed.
Using your CCW
- Thread starter N.Farley
- Start date
rottieman33
New member
I always got a kick out of some people on here saying if anything like that happened to me or if they broke in to my house I will kill them. The thing is most of the time when something like that happens you don't want to pull the trigger you just want to live so your hoping just showing will get them to run away. What Grant D did I thought was great he let the 2 guys see it instead of letting every body in the parking lot see he had a gun.
As a teacher, I have enjoyed the luxury of long summer vacations. A few summers ago, in my mid-60s, I rode my motorcycle from New England out to San Francisco to visit with my son and ride some of northern California's beautiful roads. I've shared similar rides before and since with friends on their own motorcycles, but on this trip I was solo. I was carrying a NAA Guardian .32, at times in an ankle holster under my boot and at other times in a CC pocket in my leather vest. Heading home again, I was riding east on I-70 and stopped in Green River, Utah, for gas and a cold drink. After fueling up, I pulled the bike around the corner of the station's convenience store to check the air in my tires, then went inside for a soda. As it happens, my bike is a HD Low Rider with detachable bags and windshield - a long way from a HD Ultra or Honda Gold Wing-type tourer. My camping stuff, duffel, and various other gear including a camera bag were bungeed onto the rear part of the saddle. When I returned, three Spanish-speaking gentlemen were standing around my bike, appearing much more interested in the luggage than the bike. I smiled and said "Hi." They said nothing and regarded me with stony expressions. There was a burst of Spanish as I got on the bike, after which one of the men moved to position himself behind me, effectively blocking my rearward movement, while his two friends split and took positions on either side. I felt we were rapidly approaching a low point in Latino-American relations and knew I would have to do something before the situation went out of control. Grinning like an idiot as if to say "Oh, stupid me, look what I almost forgot to do," I reached into my boot, pulled out the little Guardian, and shifted it into the interior pocket of my vest. I was careful not to point the pistol at them or do anything overtly threatening. There was another burst of Spanish and, before I could get the gun stowed in my vest, my three visitors were hot-footing it across the parking lot in the direction of a neighboring motel. I fired up the Harley and headed back out on the highway. To this day, I am convinced the mere sight of the pistol was enough to convince the three men that I was not only willing but able to protect myself and my possessions. I also feel that was the day my little Guardian earned its name.
I was out trimming my trees in the front yard, I live at the end of a cul-de-sac, and my Dobermann puppy (6 months) was with me. I was training him to stay close by letting him drag a 25' rope. While I was tying a bundle of branches a pick up truck came in the cul-de-sac and stopped. I had my back to the truck and my dog. When I turned around about a minute later I saw the guy had gotten out of his truck and picked up the rope and was taking my dog back to his truck. I called my dog and he tried to come but the guy held him back, so I called out to him while walking towards him. I asked him what he was doing and he said that he had lost the dog and now was taking him back. I told him that was my dog and he responded that it was his dog. I told him the dog was microchiped and I could prove it was mine and any of my neighbors will attest to that. I was about 20' away.
To put in things in prespective, I'm close to 60, 5'8" and weigh 156 lbs. the other guy, I call Bubba, was about 6'4" and husky. My dog is 6 months old, friendly, beautiful and costs me $3,000.
Bubba looked at me and he said this was his dog and he was going to take him home. I had my LCP with my Crimson Trace laser in the front pocket of my jeans and my hand was on it. I pointed to his zipper and said " Do you see that red dot by your zipper?" He looked down and while he did so I drew my pistol and aimed right on his family jewels. Then in a calm voice I said "That's were the first bullet is going to go if you don't let go of that dog."
He looked up and saw the gun in my hand, Bubba's eyes got as big a silver dollars and he simultaneously dropped the rope and said "SH_T!!" and remained frozen. I told him to get back in his truck and that if I saw him again I would assume that he means to harm me and that I would shoot first and ask questions later.
He got in his truck and I haven't seen him once in the last three years.
I am firmly committed to conflict avoidance, deterrence and defense.
To put in things in prespective, I'm close to 60, 5'8" and weigh 156 lbs. the other guy, I call Bubba, was about 6'4" and husky. My dog is 6 months old, friendly, beautiful and costs me $3,000.
Bubba looked at me and he said this was his dog and he was going to take him home. I had my LCP with my Crimson Trace laser in the front pocket of my jeans and my hand was on it. I pointed to his zipper and said " Do you see that red dot by your zipper?" He looked down and while he did so I drew my pistol and aimed right on his family jewels. Then in a calm voice I said "That's were the first bullet is going to go if you don't let go of that dog."
He looked up and saw the gun in my hand, Bubba's eyes got as big a silver dollars and he simultaneously dropped the rope and said "SH_T!!" and remained frozen. I told him to get back in his truck and that if I saw him again I would assume that he means to harm me and that I would shoot first and ask questions later.
He got in his truck and I haven't seen him once in the last three years.
I am firmly committed to conflict avoidance, deterrence and defense.
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12GaugeShuggoth
New member
Thankfully I've only ever had to draw a firearm in defense from 4 legged threats, hopefully that won't change.
I have been in a situation where (if I had my CHP at the time) I would have drawn and quite likely fired, as I was trying not to get stabbed at the time. But I didn't have it, and was able to make it out with minimal injuries. So everything turned out ok.
I did pull a baseball bat out while at a gas station once, but luckily didn't have to actually use it. Three guys were heckling this elderly lady at the pump, looked like she was scared out of her mind. I was the only other person in the parking lot at the time and yelled out asking the woman if she was ok. Two of them left her and came towards me, next thing I knew the bat was in my hand and I was ready to swing. They took the message and all three of them took off on foot. I made sure the lady was ok and she thanked me and offered to pay for my gas! I didn't accept
As to what was going on in my mind, all sorts of things. In the attack with Mr. Stabby, I was mainly just trying to get the heck out of there and get away from him and his buddy. Thankfully a couple punches was all it took to get out of there. My head was just screaming "RUN RUN RUN!!!" At the gas station I knew there was no way I could have just ignored what was going on and not felt like a jerk. I've known people who were mugged in front of bystanders who did nothing to help. Once I realized they were coming towards me, I kinda just acted on instinct in grabbing the bat.
I have been in a situation where (if I had my CHP at the time) I would have drawn and quite likely fired, as I was trying not to get stabbed at the time. But I didn't have it, and was able to make it out with minimal injuries. So everything turned out ok.
I did pull a baseball bat out while at a gas station once, but luckily didn't have to actually use it. Three guys were heckling this elderly lady at the pump, looked like she was scared out of her mind. I was the only other person in the parking lot at the time and yelled out asking the woman if she was ok. Two of them left her and came towards me, next thing I knew the bat was in my hand and I was ready to swing. They took the message and all three of them took off on foot. I made sure the lady was ok and she thanked me and offered to pay for my gas! I didn't accept
As to what was going on in my mind, all sorts of things. In the attack with Mr. Stabby, I was mainly just trying to get the heck out of there and get away from him and his buddy. Thankfully a couple punches was all it took to get out of there. My head was just screaming "RUN RUN RUN!!!" At the gas station I knew there was no way I could have just ignored what was going on and not felt like a jerk. I've known people who were mugged in front of bystanders who did nothing to help. Once I realized they were coming towards me, I kinda just acted on instinct in grabbing the bat.
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I don't have any experience with duty to retreat laws. I live in Oklahoma, which has a very broad castle law. I was reading a story recently about a woman who shot an intruder in Oklahoma. It prompted me to read the state laws once again. The way I read them was that the woman could have shot through the door and stopped the threat before he even got into her house. If somebody is in the process of entering a dwelling, deadly force can be used on them in Oklahoma.
This is the law in OK:
A. The Legislature hereby recognizes that the citizens of the State of Oklahoma have a right to expect absolute safety within their own homes or places of business.
B. A person or an owner, manager or employee of a business is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another when using defensive force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm to another if:
1. The person against whom the defensive force was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering, or had unlawfully and forcibly entered, a dwelling, residence, occupied vehicle, or a place of business, or if that person had removed or was attempting to remove another against the will of that person from the dwelling, residence, occupied vehicle, or place of business; and
2. The person who uses defensive force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry or unlawful and forcible act was occurring or had occurred.
C. The presumption set forth in subsection B of this section does not apply if:
1. The person against whom the defensive force is used has the right to be in or is a lawful resident of the dwelling, residence, or vehicle, such as an owner, lessee, or titleholder, and there is not a protective order from domestic violence in effect or a written pretrial supervision order of no contact against that person;
2. The person or persons sought to be removed are children or grandchildren, or are otherwise in the lawful custody or under the lawful guardianship of, the person against whom the defensive force is used; or
3. The person who uses defensive force is engaged in an unlawful activity or is using the dwelling, residence, occupied vehicle, or place of business to further an unlawful activity.
D. A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
E. A person who unlawfully and by force enters or attempts to enter the dwelling, residence, occupied vehicle of another person, or a place of business is presumed to be doing so with the intent to commit an unlawful act involving force or violence.
F. A person who uses force, as permitted pursuant to the provisions of subsections B and D of this section, is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force. As used in this subsection, the term "criminal prosecution" includes charging or prosecuting the defendant.
G. A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of force, but the law enforcement agency may not arrest the person for using force unless it determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used was unlawful.
H. The court shall award reasonable attorney fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income, and all expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant is immune from prosecution as provided in subsection F of this section.
I. The provisions of this section and the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act shall not be construed to require any person using a pistol pursuant to the provisions of this section to be licensed in any manner.
J. As used in this section:
1. "Dwelling" means a building or conveyance of any kind, including any attached porch, whether the building or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile, which has a roof over it, including a tent, and is designed to be occupied by people;
2. "Residence" means a dwelling in which a person resides either temporarily or permanently or is visiting as an invited guest; and
3. "Vehicle" means a conveyance of any kind, whether or not motorized, which is designed to transport people or property.
This is the law in OK:
A. The Legislature hereby recognizes that the citizens of the State of Oklahoma have a right to expect absolute safety within their own homes or places of business.
B. A person or an owner, manager or employee of a business is presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another when using defensive force that is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm to another if:
1. The person against whom the defensive force was used was in the process of unlawfully and forcefully entering, or had unlawfully and forcibly entered, a dwelling, residence, occupied vehicle, or a place of business, or if that person had removed or was attempting to remove another against the will of that person from the dwelling, residence, occupied vehicle, or place of business; and
2. The person who uses defensive force knew or had reason to believe that an unlawful and forcible entry or unlawful and forcible act was occurring or had occurred.
C. The presumption set forth in subsection B of this section does not apply if:
1. The person against whom the defensive force is used has the right to be in or is a lawful resident of the dwelling, residence, or vehicle, such as an owner, lessee, or titleholder, and there is not a protective order from domestic violence in effect or a written pretrial supervision order of no contact against that person;
2. The person or persons sought to be removed are children or grandchildren, or are otherwise in the lawful custody or under the lawful guardianship of, the person against whom the defensive force is used; or
3. The person who uses defensive force is engaged in an unlawful activity or is using the dwelling, residence, occupied vehicle, or place of business to further an unlawful activity.
D. A person who is not engaged in an unlawful activity and who is attacked in any other place where he or she has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.
E. A person who unlawfully and by force enters or attempts to enter the dwelling, residence, occupied vehicle of another person, or a place of business is presumed to be doing so with the intent to commit an unlawful act involving force or violence.
F. A person who uses force, as permitted pursuant to the provisions of subsections B and D of this section, is justified in using such force and is immune from criminal prosecution and civil action for the use of such force. As used in this subsection, the term "criminal prosecution" includes charging or prosecuting the defendant.
G. A law enforcement agency may use standard procedures for investigating the use of force, but the law enforcement agency may not arrest the person for using force unless it determines that there is probable cause that the force that was used was unlawful.
H. The court shall award reasonable attorney fees, court costs, compensation for loss of income, and all expenses incurred by the defendant in defense of any civil action brought by a plaintiff if the court finds that the defendant is immune from prosecution as provided in subsection F of this section.
I. The provisions of this section and the provisions of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act shall not be construed to require any person using a pistol pursuant to the provisions of this section to be licensed in any manner.
J. As used in this section:
1. "Dwelling" means a building or conveyance of any kind, including any attached porch, whether the building or conveyance is temporary or permanent, mobile or immobile, which has a roof over it, including a tent, and is designed to be occupied by people;
2. "Residence" means a dwelling in which a person resides either temporarily or permanently or is visiting as an invited guest; and
3. "Vehicle" means a conveyance of any kind, whether or not motorized, which is designed to transport people or property.
DBLAction454
New member
Have two stories one from me and one from a friend.
1.) My friend: He was at a gas station around 1 am filling up when a man approached him asking for money. He said "I dont have any cash bud sorry"... The man stepped closer and said "yeah you do...lemme get some" and my friend said "Sure..." He lifted his coat and put his hand on his gun and the man something like "oh...have a nice day sir" and walked away quickly...
2.) My story: I was eating a quick lunch with my girlfriend in a Chipotle and noticed a man talking to people from table to table. Finally he makes it over to my table explaining that hes from out of town and was up here to watch his daughters baby being born and forgot his wallet at home and needed gas money to get back. He had a little girl with him who then stuck her face way to close to our own personal spaces and was making a barking like sound. I thought it was extremely rude that he was asking people this while we were eating and said "No i dont have any money" my girlfriend trying to be nice said "I only have credit cards sorry"... His face then became very angry and he said "oh come on!"... The restaurant was busy and I didn't want to show the gun because of his little girl and a lot of people so again I said "sorry"...then he said "you gotta have something" matter of factly...my patients had worn out and now rather than being cautious of the little girl there I felt sorry for her that her father or whatever he was was teaching her to do this... So I reached into my pocket and said "Here actually your right I do..." I took the top round out of my extra magazine .45 and set it on the table (now i have no idea what made me think to do this because usually am not that creative but somehow i just thought it would work) He looked at it and his eyes got really big and I said "You can at least get $.50 for that"... He turned around and walked straight out
1.) My friend: He was at a gas station around 1 am filling up when a man approached him asking for money. He said "I dont have any cash bud sorry"... The man stepped closer and said "yeah you do...lemme get some" and my friend said "Sure..." He lifted his coat and put his hand on his gun and the man something like "oh...have a nice day sir" and walked away quickly...
2.) My story: I was eating a quick lunch with my girlfriend in a Chipotle and noticed a man talking to people from table to table. Finally he makes it over to my table explaining that hes from out of town and was up here to watch his daughters baby being born and forgot his wallet at home and needed gas money to get back. He had a little girl with him who then stuck her face way to close to our own personal spaces and was making a barking like sound. I thought it was extremely rude that he was asking people this while we were eating and said "No i dont have any money" my girlfriend trying to be nice said "I only have credit cards sorry"... His face then became very angry and he said "oh come on!"... The restaurant was busy and I didn't want to show the gun because of his little girl and a lot of people so again I said "sorry"...then he said "you gotta have something" matter of factly...my patients had worn out and now rather than being cautious of the little girl there I felt sorry for her that her father or whatever he was was teaching her to do this... So I reached into my pocket and said "Here actually your right I do..." I took the top round out of my extra magazine .45 and set it on the table (now i have no idea what made me think to do this because usually am not that creative but somehow i just thought it would work) He looked at it and his eyes got really big and I said "You can at least get $.50 for that"... He turned around and walked straight out
rottieman33
New member
I don't think any bad guy going to call police if you show them your gun. For 1 reason most gas station, stores etc.. all have video cameras and that would show police why you showed the bad guys. And if you start running away from the bad guy what do you think going to happen, he/she going to chase you and now you got your back to him so your even worse off.
First and foremost
KNOW YOUR STATES LAWS
in states like CA, you are guilty because you can afford the gun you dont even need to use it. Just be able to get it, they will convict you for the effort.
Fortunately I live in Florida. We have some of the most gun friendly laws around, only states like Texas and Alaska are easier.
The castle doctrine no longer applies in Florida. We have what is known as the Florida Stand your ground law, and in a nutshell it says, that no matter my location, I am not required to RUN from you if I feel threatened. There is no need to "escape" the threat as in some states. Furthermore, I am allowed to use up to deadly force in defense of personal property. If I catch you breaking into my car in the parking lot at the mall, I can drop you on the spot. It happened about 6 months ago, the "bad" guy was killed. The shooter, despite the bad guys family attempting to press charges, none were filed by the State Attorney. The law was clear, the intent was present, and we are now one fewer car thieves in Florida.
You can get in trouble for "showing" your gun. It is called brandishing, and carries a misdemeanor charge if you can not back up your need to show it, to persuade some one to move on. I would think long an hard before pulling my weapon out if I wasnt positive I was going to kill you.
Now mind you, I'm not a small guy either. Former Marine Corps, and martial arts back ground. I can hold my own hand to hand with most anybody.
Remember, a concealed weapon does not need to be a gun. Tactical batons are great. 6" compressed, a flick of the wrist and you have between 18-30" of hardened metal in your hand and it hurts like nothing when you get it across your arm between the wrist and elbow. I know it can break a bone like that. Again, know your state's laws regarding weapons. In Florida I can carry anything short of a full auto Uzi, or a flame thrower, providing I have permits. Your state may be different. I know in Georgia I can have a gun, but not the baton, go figure. I've always been a fan of a roll of nickels in a fist for some added oomph when it connects. Completely legal to carry to!
I guess what I am saying , is that in the event you do actually "use" your CCW, be prepared. Practice, know what you need to do. Practice, your answer to the police as well. Have your permits, and necessary papers in a group. Don't be fumbling around in a daze, be prepared, neat an concise in your dealing with the law enforcement officer, and he will return the favor. Humble is a good way to treat cops, I'm sorry officer, he didn't give me any other option, I had to do it.
Good luck and remember
Fate favors the prepared mind. Luck rarely has anything to do with preparation,practice, and perspiration.
KNOW YOUR STATES LAWS
in states like CA, you are guilty because you can afford the gun you dont even need to use it. Just be able to get it, they will convict you for the effort.
Fortunately I live in Florida. We have some of the most gun friendly laws around, only states like Texas and Alaska are easier.
The castle doctrine no longer applies in Florida. We have what is known as the Florida Stand your ground law, and in a nutshell it says, that no matter my location, I am not required to RUN from you if I feel threatened. There is no need to "escape" the threat as in some states. Furthermore, I am allowed to use up to deadly force in defense of personal property. If I catch you breaking into my car in the parking lot at the mall, I can drop you on the spot. It happened about 6 months ago, the "bad" guy was killed. The shooter, despite the bad guys family attempting to press charges, none were filed by the State Attorney. The law was clear, the intent was present, and we are now one fewer car thieves in Florida.
You can get in trouble for "showing" your gun. It is called brandishing, and carries a misdemeanor charge if you can not back up your need to show it, to persuade some one to move on. I would think long an hard before pulling my weapon out if I wasnt positive I was going to kill you.
Now mind you, I'm not a small guy either. Former Marine Corps, and martial arts back ground. I can hold my own hand to hand with most anybody.
Remember, a concealed weapon does not need to be a gun. Tactical batons are great. 6" compressed, a flick of the wrist and you have between 18-30" of hardened metal in your hand and it hurts like nothing when you get it across your arm between the wrist and elbow. I know it can break a bone like that. Again, know your state's laws regarding weapons. In Florida I can carry anything short of a full auto Uzi, or a flame thrower, providing I have permits. Your state may be different. I know in Georgia I can have a gun, but not the baton, go figure. I've always been a fan of a roll of nickels in a fist for some added oomph when it connects. Completely legal to carry to!
I guess what I am saying , is that in the event you do actually "use" your CCW, be prepared. Practice, know what you need to do. Practice, your answer to the police as well. Have your permits, and necessary papers in a group. Don't be fumbling around in a daze, be prepared, neat an concise in your dealing with the law enforcement officer, and he will return the favor. Humble is a good way to treat cops, I'm sorry officer, he didn't give me any other option, I had to do it.
Good luck and remember
Fate favors the prepared mind. Luck rarely has anything to do with preparation,practice, and perspiration.
Jeremiah/Az
New member
I was at a Circle K getting gas after dark. There was a red pickup on the opposite side of the pumps, but forward of me. Two older teenagers came out of the store having payed for their gas, I suppose, & headed for their truck. A young woman, by herself, pulled in to get gas, even with me, on the opposite side. She got out & started getting her gas, when these two kids came closer to her. They were using the foulest language you have ever heard, telling her what they wanted to do to her. She tried to ignore them, but they just kept it up. She looked scared. I walked to the drivers door of my truck & took out my Ruger, still in the holster. I walked to the back of my truck, even with the woman, where I let the kids see my gun. I said," Alright boys! Time to go!" They got in their truck & left without another word. She just looked at me, nodded her head approvingly & smiled.
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Friar Whently
New member
If Florida's Stand Your Ground laws are set up in the same way my state's (Ohio) Castle Doctrine, then you still need to be justified in your use of deadly force. All the laws do is shift the burden of proof from you (trying to convince a jury that you had good reason to shoot) to the prosecution (it's up to them to demonstrate that you were unjustified in your use of the gun). You can still be very screwed if the prosecution gets the jury on their side.
Good points on checking your own state laws, and I will check Alabama's where I live. Certainly is no issue if your front door kicked in but of course that puts the homeowner in a more tough situation in regards to time.
The local bad guys in this area (Gulf Coast) are developing a pattern of "magazine sales" or "surveys" to case out a neighborhood. Our neighborhood is not gated but is clearly marked no solicitation entering it and we have called security several times, who has in cooperation with police forced them out of the neighborhood.
My neighbor across the street had someone pound on his front door at 2 am several months ago setting off his alarm. The guy stayed at the front door until my neighbor showed up at the front window, after calling police, with his 9mm in hand, told him police were coming and the guy ran off.
The local bad guys in this area (Gulf Coast) are developing a pattern of "magazine sales" or "surveys" to case out a neighborhood. Our neighborhood is not gated but is clearly marked no solicitation entering it and we have called security several times, who has in cooperation with police forced them out of the neighborhood.
My neighbor across the street had someone pound on his front door at 2 am several months ago setting off his alarm. The guy stayed at the front door until my neighbor showed up at the front window, after calling police, with his 9mm in hand, told him police were coming and the guy ran off.
My personal philosophy is that you should never shoot unless your life is in imminent danger. If your life is in imminent danger, you should shoot multiple times and there should be only one survivor. It is much simpler that way. You won't have to worry about future retaliation from surviving criminals. You will also save taxpayer the financial burden associated with a trial and incarceration. 
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I am firmly committed to conflict avoidance, deterrence and defense.
.I am firmly committed to conflict avoidance, deterrence and defense.
Wow these are some great stories guys, I just hope if the time ever comes for me to draw that I will have the balls to do so. Does anyone know NYS laws about drawing your weapon and stuff like these situations or have a link? I want to know what I can and cant do before I do it...or hopefully never have to do it. Oh btw NY is ridiculous, I can carry a gun with my pistol but a butan is illegal and I cant even carry pepper spray. Stupid..
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My state recently got rid of the need to retreat. All the local police unions and state police department were against the idea, claiming it would promote "gang violence". My response was, "since when have criminals cared about the law? Isn't that why they're criminals?" Arguments aside, I always found the DtR idea laughable. If I can avoid a fight I sure as heck will, I have no problem walking away. But if someone is directly threatening me or my wife, how far exactly are we supposed to retreat? What if the person follows us?
Now we have the right to use deadly force any place we are within are legal rights to be. Last I looked gang violence hasn't been up, and there still haven't been any shootings in the state. The DtR only complicates trials and makes it easier for criminals to get off on technicalities. Removing it has had no negative impact on my state. I hope it gets removed elsewhere.
You might want to check that one again. According to the website of Florida's division of licensing:
"Florida law justifies use of deadly force when you are:
Trying to protect yourself or another person from death or serious bodily harm;
Trying to prevent a forcible felony, such as rape, robbery, burglary or kidnapping.
Using or displaying a handgun in any other circumstances could result in your conviction for crimes such as improper exhibition of a firearm, manslaughter, or worse."
A blanket statement that you can use deadly force in the protection of personal property might be overstating the case.
Tailgator is right on.
Just because you believe that you are legally justified in defending yourself and/or others and/or property with deadly force doesn't mean that you actually are justified, legally.
If you shoot someone whether it's with the intent of cold blooded murder or honest self defense your action will be evaluated by the exact same legal system. Your guilt or innocence will be decided by everyone BUT you. A cop will decide whether to arrest you, a prosecutor will decide whether to charge you, a judge will decide whether your trial goes forward and a jury will decide your guilt or innocence. Your choices pretty much stop for a while when you pull the trigger.
So, right or wrong, you may wind up cooling your heels courtesy of the state while you await trial.
That is only the beginning of the process. Don't gloss over it.
Just because you believe that you are legally justified in defending yourself and/or others and/or property with deadly force doesn't mean that you actually are justified, legally.
If you shoot someone whether it's with the intent of cold blooded murder or honest self defense your action will be evaluated by the exact same legal system. Your guilt or innocence will be decided by everyone BUT you. A cop will decide whether to arrest you, a prosecutor will decide whether to charge you, a judge will decide whether your trial goes forward and a jury will decide your guilt or innocence. Your choices pretty much stop for a while when you pull the trigger.
So, right or wrong, you may wind up cooling your heels courtesy of the state while you await trial.
That is only the beginning of the process. Don't gloss over it.
JohnKSa said:
Just read both those. Bot incidents were very intense, and good reads glad to see everyone came out alright.
I've had one situation of a perp trying to break in our house when i was younger, and another where i was being paranoid because of my dog barking and security running a spot light in my backyard out of our drive way. I've never had to draw a weapon on anyone, the first time dad made me stay down the hall, as i was 6 or 7 years old IIRC. Both times though are about the worst of feelings of fear i've had in my lifetime, Less so with the security deal because there was no confirmed threat. I try to constantly contemplate to myself not to think just react when the time comes and as others have said that is where training comes in. Adrenaline is so high at the time though it's scary haha.
I know thats not along the OP's question but it's as close as i've gotten to it.
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Gut-wrenching stories. Although they don't live in high crime areas, I intend to provide these reports to my beautiful adult daughters and their husbands and urge them to consider firearms for defense of themselves and their children. Both sons-in-law own firearms and are hunters but neither carries a a handgun, nor do my daughters own or carry any firearm. These stories also having me re-thinking aspects of my carry carry options, especially those factors affecting the time to draw and present a handgun.