Thanks for replying I appreciate you taking the time.
What I am saying, is I carry a gun in anticipation of possibly needing it. That is why I listed all the advantages of a full-sized handgun. I carry in case I have to confront a gang, active shooter, or a thug.
"There is a time line from the time I decide I need to shoot and the time I actually shoot."
I'm not sure what you mean ... could you give an example please? I am asking sincerely I am not sure what you mean. As an example, if someone said give me the car keys or die and I practice my draw I cannot imagine what would stop me from pulling the trigger in that 1-1.5 seconds. I can imagine drawing or brandishing a gun without shooting ... is that what you mean?
"I'm NOT trying to KILL anyone My goal is to stop the threat with the MINIMUM amount of force necessary"
The way I see this is there is no scenario I can imagine where I would be using deadly force, shooting at a fellow human being in public, and I would not hope for a hit to the face/spine/heart. I am a martial artist and agree that I should use the minimum amount of force necessary, especially in a physical fight. I would use force according to the situation. It depends on the situation. If I see a gang banger kicking an elderly black woman on the ground calling her a ******, or someone raping a young child, that is different than someone losing their temper, or a drunk guy trying to fight me in a bar... concerning but definitely where I could use 'minimum force'.
I think mindset is important and it is important to remember that "today could be the day" and to have a predator mindset. It will be a bad day if there is ever an active shooter where I am, hopefully I will be able to shoot them in the face in time.
I think there are valid legal concerns but that many typical concerns are blown out of proportion. For example one of my friends said I shouldn't have rifle armor as part of my home defense plan because of someone broke into my house with intent to kill me it would look like I was "looking for trouble". Besides the fact that body armor would help protect me from getting killed, it is absoutely ridiculous to imagine a homeowner would be charged with murder if someone invaded their home in Texas.
As I said, I live in TX, one could also argue I want to kill because I have a big gun, or because I used 200gr 10mm instead of whatever 9mm the local police uses. I feel confident I could explain my reasons, and I think the advantage defending my life outweights the theoretical advantage of being able to say I used the same weapon as the police. One could argue I was wanting to kill because I had an AR15 in the trunk ready to go. My primary concern is stopping the threat and I feel pretty confident I could explain that to a jury ... and that is assuming I have to go to trial which in most situations would be very unlikely. Also if I had to use my trunk gun the situation would be so extreme I think it would probably be easy to defend (or at least I'd be alive).
Anyways, that said I don't have anything stupid engraved in my guns. And I do get your point and I am aware Masaad Ayoob says to shoot to 'stop' but I do not live in CA and I agree with Gabe Suarez on this ... he has many posts on this but here is one ... just as an example.
http://blog.suarezinternational.com/2017/07/understanding-fear-aggression-in-gunfighting.html