Why we are trained to shoot center mass

[Kleanbore]

That's known as firing from the "retention position".

One thing that one certainly does want to avoid--in any scenario--.is shooting the weak hand or arm. If one is blocking blows with it at close range , there is a real risk that it will be moved into the way. You probably want to get the arm out of play before shooting.

Here is a pretty good video on the subject. I do not see the trainer shooting at the pelvis, and he is not stepping backward.

One more time, there is no way to reliably predict the immediate effect of any shot on an attacker.

 

[BLB68]

I wasn't suggesting that you actually aim for his "package" just asking and /or suggesting that if you hit his "package" , would it be particularly effective in stopping the attack ?? It seems to me, that it would....but I've never read a case report that dealt with this type of wound.

Ah, OK. That makes much more sense.

The only similarity that I can imagine , is during hand to hand fighting.....a groin kick or punch is certainly an acceptable and effective move....

I think you'll find a lot of debate on that one. Groin shots aren't always effective, it's a hard to hit target, and it can also be fatal.

 

[leadcounsel]

Aiming in self defense can and would be justified. For example - aiming is ideal as it serves to avoid misses and is generally acceptable to avoid innocent people from being hit. Keep in mind "Imminent threat..." doesn't mean "Immediate threat..." as in this very instant. It can be a predictable certain threat that will occur in 1 second, 10 seconds, 10 minutes, or a longer period... a few situations that would justify self defense from an "Imminent threat..." would include being taken hostage yourself or having someone else being taken hostage; or a situation where someone is outside your front door, with a deadly weapon, kicking in your door trying to breach it; or a situation where perhaps you are stuck in traffic and someone is walking toward you with a weapon (for instance, a tire iron or ball bat or handgun) with murderous intent; you get the idea. In each of these instances, you have time to aim the weapon but there is still a certain and pending serious violence threat against yourself or another person.

 

[BLB68]

Nobody said aiming in self defense was bad.

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by leadcounsel:

Aiming in self defense can and would be justified. For example - aiming is ideal as it serves to avoid misses and is generally acceptable to avoid innocent people from being hit.

True indeed.

The question was about precise aim. And that, too, may be justified--or not, as previously discussed.

Keep in mind "Imminent threat..." doesn't mean "Immediate threat..." as in this very instant.

Yes, imminent means "just about to happen". "Immediate" applies to necessity: as in, is it necessary to act right now?

...a few situations that would justify self defense from an "Imminent threat..." would include being taken hostage yourself or having someone else being taken hostage;...

Yes.

...or a situation where someone is outside your front door, with a deadly weapon, kicking in your door trying to breach it; or a situation where perhaps you are stuck in traffic and someone is walking toward you with a weapon (for instance, a tire iron or ball bat or handgun) with murderous intent; you get the idea.

in some jurisdictions you may be afforded such a presumption.

In each of these instances, you have time to aim the weapon but there is still a certain and pending serious violence threat against yourself or another person.

I would substitute "a basis for a reasonable belief of the existence of" for "certain".

But when the term "pending" is introduced, the issue of immediate necessity comes into question.