Kleck shows that resistance with a firearm is always the safest route, violent or not. Snyder reminds us that it is our duty to resist criminals, violent or not.
Ninth Stage | Email | Homepage | 07.16.07 - 8:12 pm | #

2 perfect shots to the chest and one to the ocular nerve, only thing you forgot to mention was using hollow points or frangible ammo to reduce danger to bystanders.
praying for war | Email | Homepage | 07.16.07 - 11:06 pm | #

While working at Rich's Dept store, our trainer,a former Ohio Trooper, pretty much stated the same thing as you have. Which was a little surprising,yet I was happy to hear it. Unfortunatly,my current employeer does not share the same doctrine. Then again I couldn't careless and will do what needs to be done to save my skin.
Michael | Email | Homepage | 07.17.07 - 7:34 am | #

Definitely good advice.
BobG | Email | Homepage | 07.17.07 - 9:27 am | #

I can find no fault with your logic.
Gadfly | Email | Homepage | 07.17.07 - 10:07 am | #

My answer to 'drop your weapon or I'll shoot the hostage' would simply to say 'and then what?'. Or more practically to shoot the hostage taker.

If I were the hostage I'd rather have the hostage takers brains splashed over my body than have someone give up their weapon.

You give great advice Chris.
David | Email | Homepage | 07.17.07 - 12:23 pm | #

I'll second that Kleck data.

The safest course of action is to immediately start shooting, without warning.

The second safest option, one that puts you at more than double the risk of the first, is to verbally challenge the perp while armed.

Stick to option one.

( btw, the most risky course of action { +60% chance of serious injury or death } is verbal attempts at non-compliance ... the option the libtards seem to like )
Kristopher | Email | Homepage | 07.17.07 - 12:58 pm | #

What about the option of a Gun Free Zone(tm)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S...h? v=S7pGt_O1uM8

Seemed to work in the video just fine;

oh wait you're talking about that reality thing again.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 07.17.07 - 1:04 pm | #

Excellent post. Soon to be linked.
existingthing | Email | Homepage | 07.17.07 - 7:24 pm | #

Yeah, getting gray matter out of suede would be the least of my concerns at that moment. Just remember to take enough cash from the ex-perp's wallet to cover your dry cleaning bill.
Bruce | Email | Homepage | 07.18.07 - 7:12 am | #

This color scheme is fine, Chris.
And thank you for the post.
DKDay | Email | Homepage | 07.18.07 - 2:24 pm | #

The question I have is: What is the risk of waiting for a criminal to show at least one of the violent tendencies you list? Should I wait for a gun-wielding bad guy robbing a gas station to pistol-whip someone before I decide he's dangerous, or would it be safer to just shoot him before he 'proves' to be violent?

After all, pretty much any viable robbery involves at least the threat of violence. If not, what's the motivation to cooperate? I guess all I'm saying is that you're criteria are good...but that there's nothing left on the other side of the equation. Aside from the unarmed hostage situation, when it is ever ok to cooperate? (I suppose the definition of an ODC would be helpful.)
Tom | Email | Homepage | 07.18.07 - 5:59 pm | #

Tom, I don't know what the law is in your state, but here it's: "If, acting as a reasonable and responsible adult, in full possession of your faculties, you are in fear for your life or safety from a direct and immediate threat, use of lethal force in self defense is justified."

Fine line between the bad guy running in, flashing the gun, getting the cash and running out, and something more serious. I'm not in the business of protecting the assets of the local Stop 'n' Rob, so if the BG gets their money I'm not too interested. If, however, he turns to face me with the gun in his hand all bets are off. Violent intent has been demonstrated by brandishing the gun, and turning toward me with it constitutes a "direct and immediate threat." At that point I would legitimately be "in fear for my life or safety" and take appropriate - and legal - action to protect same.
Fred | Email | Homepage | 07.19.07 - 1:56 am | #

Fred,

I agree. I was just thinking how fine that line is. If I wait until the bad guy turns and points his gun at me, it's already too late. I don't know about anyone else, but I am not fast enough to out draw a trigger pull. So, after I'm looking down the business end of a barrel, with my gun still holstered, the only chance I have is if he looks away or if he doesnot have the will to actually pull the trigger. I'd hate to bet my life on either of those.

State laws differ, but I tend to believe that anyone who demands money is threatening at least 'great bodily harm'. I suppose some AG and 12 of my 'peers' might disagree...but I'd rather them have the opportunity than not.

Anyway, I was just looking for some thoughts, so thanks =).
Tom | Email | Homepage | 07.19.07 - 5:26 am | #

Dude, your new theme chokes my eyes.

Astigmatism or not, I'll take white on black over black and red on pink. Red spectrum with any color, really, is pretty hard to read.

Might I suggest something with more yellow and/or blue spectrum? Not sure why, but red just doesn't contrast properly (and I'm not color blind, to the best of my knowledge).
Caimlas | Email | Homepage | 07.20.07 - 6:14 pm | #

Unfortunately:
Too many regular folks buy a gun thinking that they will be able to protect themselves and their loved ones in case of violent crime, only to find that they have armed there own assailant in the end.
now TRAINING in these situations WILL make a tremendous difference. But you've got to have shot that weapon into so many targets at orders, and at reaction that the thought of firing the weapon and what that might mean is completly removed from your conscous mind.
It is important to remember that the cops who "went on with the story" were training a concealed to carry class.
LR | Email | Homepage | 07.20.07 - 7:45 pm | #

LR, everything you have said is false or misleading.
Chris Byrne | Email | Homepage | 07.20.07 - 8:43 pm | #

2 short examples without much detail for privacy purposes, because these were people I actually knew:
Chris, age 45, dead at the hands of an assailant with his own weapon while attempting to protect a friend from harm. "Bubbles" age 25, dead at the hands of his assailant with his own weapon while attempting to keep his home safe. Both of these men thought they knew how to fire when necessary. Pointing a gun at someone is serious business. Without proper training, it really can mean your life.
Don't misunderstand, I believe very strongly that a person has every right to defend themselves. It is simply important to be very familiar with your weapon, and practiced past the fear.
LR | Email | Homepage | 07.20.07 - 10:03 pm | #