At What point woulod you draw your gun?

[mnrivrat]

If I summarize this I would say a lot of different ways to express the same thing.
Each situation can be just different enough to justify a slighty different response. The base line on wether to expose and or touch your CCW is a reasonably and responsibly percieved threat of serious harm and/or death.

I think under most conditions of that nature it would be advisable to draw and be prepared to fire. Then let the other person decide (if time allows) wether they want to get shot or not.

To simply brandish a firearm should in many cases (somwhat speculation on my part) wake up the agresser and cool the situation, the problem then however is explaining how you percieved the threat so serious, but only showed your firearm without drawing it. As long as the threat has come to this level, it is my opinion whether the gun is brandished in your hand ready to fire ,or in the holster, may make a difference.

 

[JShirley]

Do not brandish your firearm. Yes, as at least one person has stated- and others have carefully noted afterward- Georgia has no brandishing law.

Now: placing a hand on your weapon is not something I would typically do, unless (perhaps) using in-pocket carry, when it can be done unobtrusively. Grabbing the butt of your weapon in hopes that this action will stop the attack is foolish.

If you have distance, but not yet a clear justification to fire, start by blading your body. Drop your side with the firearm away from the threat. This will do two things: first, you will have more distance to safely make your drawstroke, and secondly, your actions will now be largely hidden by your body.

If there are witnesses, if possible, make them your witnesses. IF YOU HAVE TIME, a loud Drop the weapon! would not be amiss. If you have time, a repeat warning would be even better. If you can safely back at least somewhat away during this, even more power to you.

If you cannot reasonably flee, are facing imminent threat and are in fear of your life or grievous harm after these steps, draw and fire until the threat is nonthreatening.

Do NOT "draw and be prepared to fire". If you are threatened, and the other steps satisfying use of lethal force have been fulfilled, DRAW AND FIRE. The time to de-escalate is before the firearm is produced. There IS NO "give the person time to decide". Perp has from the time I start the drawstroke to the time he is covered by my front sight to cease aggressive action, so he'd better be fast. If you are not under enough threat to force you to move with alacrity, I would suggest you are not under enough threat to force you to use lethal force, and if you are under such threat, you have no time to monkey around- address the threat.

One always has the option of understanding disparity of force. As I mentioned, I am very fit, strong and trained- but most of my adult life I've weighed under 150 lbs. I believe I can readily convince a jury- or even, probably the LEO on scene- that I felt at risk of grievous injury from the 215-lb guy I just ventilated. The same could go for those with disabilities or injuries, facing multiple attackers, or as usually suggested, weapons.

There is that horrible in-between area, where one may not feel justified in using lethal force, but when some defense may be called for. That's the real danger area, and a great place for pepper spray.

John

 

[mnrivrat]

Do NOT "draw and be prepared to fire". If you are threatened, and the other steps satisfying use of lethal force have been fulfilled, DRAW AND FIRE. The time to de-escalate is before the firearm is produced. There IS NO "give the person time to decide".

Hi John, I respectfully disagree . I think there are circumstances that allow for brandishing to be the deciding factor to de-escalate a threat. I have no desire to pull the trigger unless I absolutely have to.

I just don't believe in half-ass brandishing . If it gets to that point I believe you must draw and point the weapon being prepared to fire.

 

[JShirley]

Well, I'll certainly agree with you on not wanting to fire on another human. I believe that the talking should be over when you clear leather, though. I also don't believe in pointing a firearm at someone/thing I'm not in the process of shooting.

John