Can I Pull the Trigger?

[Mad Magyar]

With innocent people being shot and killed, a nearby Wal*Mart in my case, I wonder how many of us that are carrying really have the mind set to actually shoot their weapon and protect ones self, or perhaps ones family? I read all these posts concerning caliber wars and think is this just some false bravado to project ones machismo by the size of their gun. I wonder whether the preservation instinct is becoming extinct?
Does it matter what caliber you are carrying if you’re not mentally prepared to use it? The most important thing is to understand the danger and be ready to preserve your life and perhaps others. There are some vicious predators out there who are only concerned about their own survival, no matter who must die. Vicious criminals have no hesitancy to pull the trigger.
You’re in a Wal*Mart parking lot, a punk reaches under his jacket and pulls an HK 9mm and fires two shots into your wife. You look in horror as the shots are fired as the punk turns and fires at you shooting both your legs; comes around the car you crawled behind, fires a shot in your head…Unrealistic? Not really, this actually happened (same scenario but different store) with two, well-trained police officers. Both died with their guns still holstered….The point: It has to be an automatic, reflexive response: if you have to think about it: you’re DEAD!
Any person who carries a gun for protection is a fool unless they have already asked themselves that terrible question and answered, YES! If not, and you’re not sure: should you put your gun away?

 

[only1asterisk]

If not, and you’re not sure: should you put your gun away?

Good question, I think all the introspection needs to be done prior to the fact.

David

 

[Standing Wolf]

Any person who carries a gun for protection is a fool unless they have already asked themselves that terrible question and answered, YES! If not, and you’re not sure: should you put your gun away?

I squared myself up with "that terrible question" quite a few years ago when I worked briefly as a prison guard. My hunch is that it's exceedingly difficult to comprehend human vermin until you've seen them at arm's length.

That said™, I think there are probably lots of people who are more ready than not to take potentially lethal action in their own defense: people who are almost ready, willing, and able to defend themselves. Better, I think, to be mostly sure and carry than not carry until one's totally sure.

 

[Lennyjoe]

Both died with their guns still holstered….

The first line of defense is situational awareness. Know where you are and whats going on around you. Most bad guys get the drop on their foes because the target is walking around with its head in the clouds.

Me, I'm always scanning the area around me. Watching everyone and everything within my comfort zone. Also, I practice quick draw and shooting from the hip and am ready to take down anyone who has the mindset to do it to me. Could I pull the trigger? You bet your arse I will. I won't hesitate because my life is way more important than the bad guys.

 

[Mooseman]

I wish there was some way to tell how you'd act in a life or death situation. I for one will admit that I don't know. I carry for defense and practice frequently. I fiqure that gives me my best chance of surviving a worst case scenario. Of course, no gun or training makes you immortal and I think the best defense is to stay out of danger as much as possible.

 

[Rick O'Shea]

The first line of defense is situational awareness. Know where you are and whats going on around you. Most bad guys get the drop on their foes because the target is walking around with its head in the clouds.

Another vote against cell phones...

 

[Mooseman]

+1 Lennyjoe, you posted while I was writing mine. BTW people please put away your cell phones while in bad neighborhoods! I have personally seen someone attacked because they were yakking away and not paying attention.

 

[Mad Magyar]

Lennyjoe, I'm kind like that myself...Using Cooper terminology, in Condition Yellow on the verge of Orange. The combat experts say if you have to think about pulling the trigger, you've lost the battle...I really feel for the LEO's where you have some commanders telling the rank & file to "better be damn sure when you fire on somebody" or face the consequences, mostly legal..That would create doubt in many minds, consequently leading to poor outcomes in a fire fight situation....