Michigander
Regular Member
imported post
We’re accused of this fairly regularly, so I think it is worth discussing in depth.
The one time I thought I might have to shoot a man, it was probably the worst feeling I’ve ever felt in my entire life, and certainly nothing I'd ever hope for. He saw me open carrying, and he didn’t care, he kept acting like he was going to jump a woman at a Quik Trip gas station. I had a not so secure holster and a messed up leg, so there was no way I would take him on by hand, even if he didn’t appear high or drunk. I had this tremendous sinking feeling, like this jerk was about to turn my life upside down. Luckily he eventually backed off and left. Even knowing I’d be justified if I had to shoot him, and even knowing the whole thing would be on tape, and even knowing that the Phoenix police would probably just tell me good job, I had a terrible feeling in my gut at that point. It is a feeling I always want to avoid, and that is why I open carry, to scare criminals away from me so I don’t have to deal with them.
I was talking to another open carrier at an open carry litter clean up recently (he can identify himself if he wants to) and he was telling me about how he was concealed carrying, and he came very close to having to kill 3 criminals. He said that even though he didn’t have to even draw, for about 6 hours after the incident he was physically sick. He and I both agreed that the idea that we actually hope for trouble is absurd.
So, just for the purposes of collecting information to give to people who say we’re looking for trouble, what has gone through your mind before or after you almost had to, or did have to shoot someone? Or, if you’ve never been in that type of position, or even if you have, how do you feel about the prospect of being in a future life and death self defense situation?
If anyone can site studies about this subject, they’d be a good reference point as well. I googled it, but I couldn't find anything.
We’re accused of this fairly regularly, so I think it is worth discussing in depth.
The one time I thought I might have to shoot a man, it was probably the worst feeling I’ve ever felt in my entire life, and certainly nothing I'd ever hope for. He saw me open carrying, and he didn’t care, he kept acting like he was going to jump a woman at a Quik Trip gas station. I had a not so secure holster and a messed up leg, so there was no way I would take him on by hand, even if he didn’t appear high or drunk. I had this tremendous sinking feeling, like this jerk was about to turn my life upside down. Luckily he eventually backed off and left. Even knowing I’d be justified if I had to shoot him, and even knowing the whole thing would be on tape, and even knowing that the Phoenix police would probably just tell me good job, I had a terrible feeling in my gut at that point. It is a feeling I always want to avoid, and that is why I open carry, to scare criminals away from me so I don’t have to deal with them.
I was talking to another open carrier at an open carry litter clean up recently (he can identify himself if he wants to) and he was telling me about how he was concealed carrying, and he came very close to having to kill 3 criminals. He said that even though he didn’t have to even draw, for about 6 hours after the incident he was physically sick. He and I both agreed that the idea that we actually hope for trouble is absurd.
So, just for the purposes of collecting information to give to people who say we’re looking for trouble, what has gone through your mind before or after you almost had to, or did have to shoot someone? Or, if you’ve never been in that type of position, or even if you have, how do you feel about the prospect of being in a future life and death self defense situation?
If anyone can site studies about this subject, they’d be a good reference point as well. I googled it, but I couldn't find anything.