Tell Us Your Self Defense Story!

[sierrajb]

Have you ever had to use your gun in self defense? Did you need to simply declare it, show it, or actually shoot it? What was the outcome? Did you feel "prepared?" What helpful advice could you offer a class full of teachable students (like me)?

I'm not asking just for the sake of sensationalism, but for some real-life insight. Even though I've had my license for almost a year, I've been carrying a concealed PM9 for only a month. I'm trying to prepare myself mentally, emotionally, and psychologically (if possible) if/when that unfortunate event MUST take place that forces me to harm (or kill) someone in order to protect my family.

So, share as you feel comfortable, and thanks for the guidance and wisdom.

[Barth]

In Harm’s Way

Reprint of old post:
Reading threads yesterday I had an epiphany.
This board is filled with all types of people. From seasoned LE,
and retired military, to newbies. Some people buying their first handgun and getting a permit.
If you just finished your tour of duty with Seal Team 6?
You can move on to the next thread.
For the newbies I have some food for thought.

Disclaimer:
These are just my opinions.
I'm not interested in debate.
Please glean whatever value and discard the rest.

Concealed Carry:
With great power comes great responsibility.
Carrying a handgun for personal protection means application of lethal force.
Make a conscious decision that you're willing to take someone’s life.

Before it happens:
Have a lawyer picked out to represent you.
Do everything you can to stay away from potentially bad places, situations, people...
Walk away from all altercations - that you can.
Be on the lookout for potential danger at all times.
Someone prepared, aware and determined is less likely to be a target.
And ready to act quickly when targeted.

When it happens:
Only draw your weapon to shoot.
Only shoot to kill.
Continue firing until the bad guy goes down.
Don't continue firing after the bad goes down -
unless continuing to be a threat.

Whether or not you stand and fight is a gut decision.
But never let anyone transport you anywhere.
At that point fight to the death.
Remember most people shot - live.
And time is on your side.

After it happens:
Be very careful what you say. The best phrase is -
"I was in fear for my life and couldn't escape".
After you call 911 then call friends or family.
Let them know what's happening and possibly post bail.
If arrested you will lose access to your cell.

[Rainman48314]

Have you ever had to use your gun in self defense? Did you need to simply declare it, show it, or actually shoot it? What was the outcome? Did you feel "prepared?" What helpful advice could you offer a class full of teachable students (like me)?

I'm not asking just for the sake of sensationalism, but for some real-life insight. Even though I've had my license for almost a year, I've been carrying a concealed PM9 for only a month. I'm trying to prepare myself mentally, emotionally, and psychologically (if possible) if/when that unfortunate event MUST take place that forces me to harm (or kill) someone in order to protect my family.

So, share as you feel comfortable, and thanks for the guidance and wisdom.

I think you will find that few are willing to publically tell their stories. This is a very public forum and there may be civil or criminal issues pending.

It is easy enough to google for stories or go to the USCCA Forum. I would suggest reading all you can about what circumstances are legit and which lead to an arrest and charges. Do you know what the brandishing statutes are in your State and neighboring States? Have you read what Prosecutors think of warning shots? That may surprise you. There are lots of ways to prepare. Reading is just one. Tactical handgun classes are another.

My instructor told me how he was rushing into the Secretary of State Office for new license tabs. Good neighborhood, main highway with all retail shops.

He went to take a number and was verbally accosted by a man who felt my Instructor had cut him off going into the front door. It got verbally very ugly but was one sided.

My Instructor said, he'd come back another day. He had not responded verbally in kind and just left. The angry man followed him into the parking lot and resumed the verbal attack, including a bit of shoving. He got a little verbal response back but the Instructor continued to walk to his car.

As the angry man continued to follow him, he passed some cemment work . He grabbed a 2x4 and rushed up from behind attempting to strike my instructor. He drew on him but did not fire. The assailant turned white and ran. My instructor immediately called the local PD and placed his weapon on the ground and waited. He was arrested for felonious assault, brandishing a gun and disturbing the peace. Charges were eventually dropped with the help of his attorney. Fortunately, there were several witnesses.

What would you or I do? Fire? Retreat (run)? , draw, or shoot? You have one second to decide. A missed shot would have a high probability of hitting an innocent. A 2x4 to the head is no fun and you might lose a gun and have it used on you.

[Barth]

I agree that most aren't going to share real life experiences for a variety of reasons. I am aware of an individual that was asked for his wallet and cell phone at gunpoint. This person complied. He was told to run and did. He was shot in the back and is currently, and permanently, in a wheelchair.

In the news here a girl at a convenience store was robbed at gunpoint. She complied and was shot in the face.

[sierrajb]

Barth,
Much of your original post/response I heard in my CHL Class. Very good wisdom that I intend to follow. Thanks!

Rainman...,
I never thought of the legal ramifications of someone sharing a personal SD case. Just hungry to learn more. Yes, I agree with "read all you can" and that's why I'm eating up all the wisdom and insight from men like you on this forum. I'm also reviewing the laws in my state (Texas) regularly.

It's tough for me to say what I would do in a similar situation that you posted. I would definitely try to defuse the person's anger by my being "nice, polite, apologetic." Beyond that not working, not sure what I'd do, but drawing my gun would definitely be the last resort.

[tv_racin_fan]

Heard to many of those stories where the victum did as instructed and was shot anyway. I do not intend for that to be me or my family.

Young lady I know who had a firearm but no permit was at home one day. Co workers angry boyfriend came by to give her some grief (maybe the young lady had advised her friend to dump him I don't recall). Young lady calmly told him to leave. She then got her handgun and her cell phone and dialed 911 and stood on her front porch with her handgun which he knew she had. She calmly gave the operator his description and name and tag number which he revealed as he was frantically trying to get out of her drive. She was able to watch him get arrrested by the nice officers since he got caught at the stop sign just up the street. Leo came down to get her statement and told her she did exactly what she should have done.

[sierrajb]

Lesson Learned: Remain Calm, Make the Call, Remain at Home (Inside if possible!), Wait for proper authorities to do what's right.

No wonder we need to pray for our law enforcement!

[ltxi]

Lesson Learned: Remain Calm, Make the Call, Remain at Home (Inside if possible!), Wait for proper authorities to do what's right.

No wonder we need to pray for our law enforcement!

Inside if possible is indeed important, at least in most castle doctrine states.

[Popeye]

No, Never even had to show it. Did have a guy kicking at my door at 2am in the old house,but called the cops and told them I had a gun and a wife and young child in the house. Luckly they were right around the corner. Turned out to be a drunk at the wrong house. Heck he even had the wrong block.

[LaP]

Be alert and aware of your surroundings.

Who knows how many times I've avoided a confontation by crossing the street, not driving down that dark road, looking over my shoulder while walking thru parking lots, noticing the guy standing in the doorway, ALWAYS locking my house and car doors (Yes, when I'm home or in the car), or those hundreds of other times when the hair on the back of my neck stands up?

Have I been in bad situations, yes.
I have only drawn a weapon once... during my days in the Air Force Security Police. The sound of my M16 being racked, ended the situation immediately.

[OldLincoln]

I read a very long story on (I think it was) the Glock forum titled something like "I drew my gun today." The guy was at one of those do it yourself car wash places when a car with 3 guys pulled up and one got out. The BG started toward him, pulled a switchblade and demanded money. The GG says he doesn't even remember drawing his gun, it just appeared in his hand pointing at the BG and he screamed to get the xxxx out of there. The BG left, the GG called 911. The cop told him he wished he'd shot the guy as the 3 in the car fits a rash of robberies escalating in violence.

Well the GG was freaked out for a long time, saw a shrink and became depressed and really screwed up. He was tralked out of turning in his CCW tho was told he should not carry until he got straightened out.

It's like live battle where some do okay nut others can't sleep and spiral downward. You may think you're a Rambo type until it happens and only then will you know.

My biggest fear is what happened to the guy who pulled his gun in self defense on the guy with a brick. It ended okay for the lawyer and better than it may have for the guy, but lawyers cost a ton and that's what I don't need.

[wyntrout]

That's what's scary... depending on where you live, the cops throw you in jail and it costs you a fortune to get legal defense... a lot more than a robbery, if that was all that was going to happen, but you don't know that. To me, anything could be a deadly weapon... or at least incapacitating enough that I could lose control of the situation and be helpless to whatever follows. I really would fear for my life and that's defense enough in a lot of places... those that have changed the laws to allow you to stand your ground and defend yourself or what's yours.
I couldn't live in a place where you had to give up your stuff or flee rather than defending what's yours... you know... the criminal-friendly, liberally run states.

Wynn

[jocko]

well

I read a very long story on (I think it was) the Glock forum titled something like "I drew my gun today." The guy was at one of those do it yourself car wash places when a car with 3 guys pulled up and one got out. The BG started toward him, pulled a switchblade and demanded money. The GG says he doesn't even remember drawing his gun, it just appeared in his hand pointing at the BG and he screamed to get the xxxx out of there. The BG left, the GG called 911. The cop told him he wished he'd shot the guy as the 3 in the car fits a rash of robberies escalating in violence.

Well the GG was freaked out for a long time, saw a shrink and became depressed and really screwed up. He was tralked out of turning in his CCW tho was told he should not carry until he got straightened out.

It's like live battle where some do okay nut others can't sleep and spiral downward. You may think you're a Rambo type until it happens and only then will you know.

My biggest fear is what happened to the guy who pulled his gun in self defense on the guy with a brick. It ended okay for the lawyer and better than it may have for the guy, but lawyers cost a ton and that's what I don't need.

at least the GG got out of the situation because he pulled his gun, kudos for that par.t The statement from teh cop about shooting the BG is easy for a cop to say as they more than likely can get away with it. But as many have staed to. I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Not all people are meant to carry a gun, we know that to. I in 48 years have never had to draw my weapon in agner, it might be traumatic for me also. but being armed robbed twice in my gun business days gives me alittle insight as I pledged never to be a victim again.But I also think had I had a gun strapped on my side when those two robberies occued, they wuldhave shot me first and then ask questions, so I am a big fan of total concealment if possable. Besides my gun for 24/7 carry I try to alwaysw carry a spare pair of shorts toj, jus tin case

[Bill K]

...

So, share as you feel comfortable, and thanks for the guidance and wisdom.

1) Have you ever had to use your gun in self defense?
Yes.

2) Did you need to simply declare it, show it, or actually shoot it?
Shoot.

3) What was the outcome?
Briefly, I went home. He went to the hospital and later to jail.

4) Did you feel "prepared?"
This is the type of question you do not answer without counsel.

5) What helpful advice could you offer a class full of teachable students (like me)?
The situation can unfold in spite of your awareness skills, in broad day light and in the best/safest neighborhood/place you might imagine.
Your adversary(s) might very well be as trained and practiced in their dastardly skills as you are in your SD skills and probably more so if all you do is square range practice.
A whole bunch of other stuff but this is not the time or place to expound.

[Rainman48314]

Have you ever had to use your gun in self defense? Did you need to simply declare it, show it, or actually shoot it? What was the outcome? Did you feel "prepared?" What helpful advice could you offer a class full of teachable students (like me)?

I'm not asking just for the sake of sensationalism, but for some real-life insight. Even though I've had my license for almost a year, I've been carrying a concealed PM9 for only a month. I'm trying to prepare myself mentally, emotionally, and psychologically (if possible) if/when that unfortunate event MUST take place that forces me to harm (or kill) someone in order to protect my family.

So, share as you feel comfortable, and thanks for the guidance and wisdom.

https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/