Warning Shots..Good or Bad idea?

And its rules for my job.
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What's the next step? Shoot them in the leg or arm?

Sounds like a private contracted post?
If that is indeed the "rules" then you have no choice in the matter. You have to follow them as long as you wish to be employed by that Co. If it's just something you heard check with your Legal Dept.
I was taught that warning shots are bad on so many levels.
Illegal, liabilities are off the chart, sends a message to the BG that you are not serious about shooting him, you are not actually in fear for your life.
We all need to thank Hollywood for the idea that you can use warning shots or just wound them.
 
C'mon guys, hey was being facetious. One by (to) the head, warning as he falls, another shot in the area of his feet (he fell backwards).:D

I seen the humor in it.

I gave a dog a warning shot once, in the grass infront of him as he charged. It worked great and turned him right around. But dogs you can reason with unlike most humans...

I'm not positive that I agree with the doctrine of if you draw you shoot. What if they see your drawing motion and cease hostilities? Happened to me once, drew to low ready and it was over with no shots fired. You may not have time to see him cease being hostile in his body language, and in that case I guess he gets shot. But I had time to see and am very glad I didn't have to shoot. Critique this as you will.
 
We had that warning shot nonsense when I was in Korea. We had to say three times in Korean "Stop or I will shoot" and fire one warning shot. We used to practice at guard mount saying what ever the phrase was as fast as it could be said and firing a warning shot. It was something like gobbled gook, gobbled gook, gobbled gook, bang, bang. The second bang is the for real shot.
 
Can you believe that? I'm shocked we win wars with rules of engagement so suicidal. :barf:

Anyway, back to the topic at hand. I'm more of a target guy (not so much self defense), but I don't think I would give a warning shot. Any bullet that comes out of my weapon is either intended to hit a target at a range or center mass of an attacker at home. What would I shoot at for the warning shot? Shooting in the air is dangerous. What if I hit an innocent person? I can't see anything good coming from a warning shot.
 
I'm bringing it up because where I'm currently at, mandates the use of warning shots unless hostilities are already in progress.
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When standing fixed guard posts, particularly in military settings, the use of a warning shot has long been practiced without too much trouble. I certainly don't promote the idea, but I also don't see it as much of an issue given the situation. The bright side is that they apparently let you stand post with a loaded weapon, which is better than some.
 
.......... Also, when we have to shoot, the Regulation reads, "with intent to disable, never to kill"... It goes so far as to aim anywhere other then the head/heart...
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Are you sure you're not working security in Denver? That would be like a host nation with all those libs in town.

OK, sorry, must be the Red Bull again:D
However:

There's obviously some confusion, since much of the boards advice (NO Warning shots) seems to address US laws applicable to SD situations for citizens.

Since you are neither in the USA nor covered by US laws, then let us in on the facts, since you started the thread.

Are your rules applicable to rioters, guard duty situations where sabotage may be a problem, kids throwing rocks, protests? Out with it, my man!:cool:
 
In my travels abroad I was taught the 5 S. Shout Show Shove Shoot (warning) Shoot (for reals) Of course you can always skip to the appropriate step if necessary.

1 Shout_____STOP!!!
2 Show_____ point gun at them
3 Shove_____Use nonlethal here if possible, like a size 12 boot
4 Shoot_____warning shot
5 Shoot_____center mass


ROE is a major PITA overseas. There are laws everywhere, the OP has to answer to either UCMJ or the host nation. Many here know only the laws of their state, but it ain't that different overseas. Unfortunately :mad:
 
So who thinks a warning shot is a good/necessary thing to do?
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Absolutely the BEST thing you can do!










Especially if you want to spend extended periods of time in jail,
be sued,
have your permit pulled
and have to spend hours explaining to some really MAD Cops why you did such a stupid thing.
 
I believe for the civilian population, a stray warning shot that kills someone can result in 2nd Degree Murder charges. Not to mention wrongful death liabilities and other tort suits...

DON'T DO IT.
 
My brother and I have had this conversation a couple of times and we both agree; never in a million years would we fire our weapons unless they were pointed center mass. Every round that leaves your weapon has a lawyer attached to it so you better be dam sure you know where it's going and what it's doing.
 
Another "warning shots are a bad idea" advocate. The exceptions are few enough and far enough in between the lines of the debate so as to be of no practical consequence.
 
rules applicable to rioters, guard duty situations where sabotage may be a problem, kids throwing rocks, protests? Out with it, my man!
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Well, I'm an Air Force cop... Unless we're being shot at, we HAVE to use 2 warning shots. Protests, and rioters have been dealt with twice since I've been here. They (the TuAF) have us retreat, then handle it the best they can. Never have had hostilities that required a shoot scenario here, so we haven't had to put the rule to the test.

A lot of us know its a terrible idea to fire warning shots, but we will be held accountable by host nation courts for failure to comply... :barf:
 
I would never fire a warning shot for any reason ... if my gun is in my hand, it means that I'm in dire circumstances, my life is threatened, and it's time for me to protect it ... that doesn't mean every draw ends with a shot fired; it just means that I'm ready to fire the shot if I need to ... we have all heard the stats; thousands of crimes avoided every year when the BG simply SEES a gun in the hand of his intended victim, and I'd hope any confrontation I was in would end that way. But if I have to draw, it's for a reason ... the BG can see the gun, he doesn't need to hear it; he'll hear it soon enough if he doesn't step off ...

I sure sympathize with the OP; what preposterous rules to have to work with ...
 
+1 on it being a bad idea.

I think your out is in the part of the policy that says, "unless hostilities are already in progress"

Unless hostilities are already in progress you wouldn't even have had to pull your gun. Obviously the situation had already degraded enough that there was no time for a warning shot.

Following that company policy will get you killed. Not following it might get you fired. Which would you rather be?
 
For those commissioned, it might be necessary per policy

For civilians, they are a bad idea, in general. If you are not a Trooper on patrol, fire only when you or those you are authorized to protect, are in imminent danger of death or grievous bodily injury. In such a case, a warning shot is not necessary nor prudent, IMHO.

Funon1
 
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