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Originally Posted by Dr. Kill
I think this is exactly the point I was trying to make here too. It sounds to me like those who are making the opposing argument are really objecting to using the weapon when there is a chance that one can get away. No we are not talking about fantasizing about a shootout with 5 carjackers or aspiring to jump out of the car to fight it out ala Cobra Kahn style or however it was presented. I am certainly not advocating that. The scenario is – all other options are exhausted, you feel that there is a good chance that you, or a member of your family, will be more than beaten up – life endangerment here – I personally want the option to end the incident (that I did not start) with my life still in tact. Yes, there will likely be legal issues, but to me, I would rather be alive with legal issues, than without them and dead. Again, we are talking about having options in a last-resort situation.
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Hi,
I am not saying people should disarm. From my 1st post, I confirmed my belief in the 2nd Ammendment.
What I am saying is that a Gun is really no practical deterrent. It's only value is to be used. If you simply pull it, this will more likely have an escalating effect than a deterrent one. This is especially true if you frequent that scene, next time the other guy will be forewarned.
The consensus among those advocating carrying a Handgun seems to be that only in an absolutely iron-clad, last-resort danger should it be used. But, what does that mean?
A Bad Guy may wield a Gun simply to scare you with no intention of using it. It may even be inoperable or unloaded. Often we hear of Police Officers shooting people who only possess fake guns, or hold-ups with replicas (just as an example). So, the only way you can be certain that the situation is truly life threatening is to have the Bad Guy actually fire a shot at you, anything else and you're making an assumption to one degree or another, maybe reasonable, maybe not. If the first shot misses or isn't fatal, you can now proceed with your planned response. If he didn't miss, your Gun has really done you no good.
At this point, do you scramble for cover (The Flight syndrome)? Or stand there, unholster the weapon, click off the safety, possibly chamber a round, take a bead on your target (the Bad Guy) and finally squeeze off a round into him/her? By the time all this has been accomplished, you're likely already wounded, or dead, and what if you have an unarmed friend, wife or girlfriend with you. While you're trying to combat the Bad Guy, what are they doing - how do they interfere with your intended response? In many cases then, a Handgun will be ineffective at least, and maybe even counterproductive, for what you're trying to accomplish.
Or, is carrying a Handgun the Adult equivalent of Linus's Blanket? Well now we're no longer talking about countering an immanent threat. It's purpose is now to make you feel good anytime, anywhere. But, at the risk of all those things I have mentioned above, in addition to possibly giving many a false confidence which may lead them into situations where they would otherwise not be.
If all the time and expense of acquiring, licensing and training with a Handgun were spent on learning some Anger Management and Conflict Avoidance techniques, one may achieve better results.
Something is not always better than
Nothing. I truly don't know the answer, nor am I sure that there is any one answer to all possible situations...
Happy Motoring!... Jim'99