Never Shoot To Kill In A Self Defense Situation?

CECannonJr · Sep 16, 2023

I read this article and I don't necessarily agree with it. I was taught to aim at center mass. A hit to center mass is likely to result in death. This article says shoot to stop the threat. Aiming at center mass will stop the threat. Shooting an assailant with a gun in the leg or wherever may get you shot. I suppose this article is just legal advice and not a practical suggestion.

What do you guys think?

Personal Defense Tip: Never Shoot to Kill in a Personal Defense Situation - The Truth About Guns

The correct expression is "shoot to stop the threat." That's what you're trying to do when you perforate a perp. You are NOT trying to commit homicide, however justifiable that goal may be.

www.thetruthaboutguns.com

dennishoddy · Sep 16, 2023

You shoot until the subject is no longer a threat, and then you stop shooting. A lot of people that legally defended themselves by shooting the threat are in prison now because they did not stop shooting when the threat was incapable of being a threat any longer.
The stupid advice in the OP's link will get you killed.

Mike A1 · Sep 17, 2023

Why are you shooting in the first place?
Simple Answer: The Slimeball is trying to kill YOU!

Just shoot the Gun right outta their hand Tex.

Bob Lee · Sep 17, 2023

Mike A1 said:
Why are you shooting in the first place?
Simple Answer: The Slimeball is trying to kill YOU!

Just shoot the Gun right outta their hand Tex.

If that don't work shoot 'em again...in the head.

Mike A1 · Sep 17, 2023

Bob Lee said:
If that don't work shoot 'em again...in the head.

& even the jolly green giant drops dead.

Mike A1 · Sep 18, 2023

Back to reality.
If a well trained Military Sniper is trained to shoot center mass.

Why in a life or death situation. Why would you aim for a headshot or to just wound?
Both are targets that require a perfect hit. You can't do that when your heart is racing & everything is upside down

Aim center mass & keep shooting until the target is neutralized! You biggest danger is getting shot by the cops.
That's true you are in danger. Beware of people who have guns, no matter what uniform they are wearing.

Remember when you heard Cops can't shoot? True in many ways. They are also human & react to their training
so be careful of the aftermath of the Encounter with bad guys. You can be shot real quick!

pistolgrips · Sep 18, 2023

CECannonJr said:
I read this article and I don't necessarily agree with it. I was taught to aim at center mass. A hit to center mass is likely to result in death. This article says shoot to stop the threat. Aiming at center mass will stop the threat. Shooting an assailant with a gun in the leg or wherever may get you shot. I suppose this article is just legal advice and not a practical suggestion.

What do you guys think?

Personal Defense Tip: Never Shoot to Kill in a Personal Defense Situation - The Truth About Guns

The correct expression is "shoot to stop the threat." That's what you're trying to do when you perforate a perp. You are NOT trying to commit homicide, however justifiable that goal may be.

www.thetruthaboutguns.com

pistolgrips · Sep 18, 2023

A) The article is all about the legal aspects surrounding the aftermath of a defensive shooting and has very little to do with 'how' to stop a threat.
B) Get some legitimate defensive handgun training that includes the general legal aspects of a defensive shooting. No legit instructor will tell you to shoot to kill- nor will they tell you to shoot them in the leg - or anywhere but center mass to stop the threat. Shoot till the assailant is no longer a threat. Sometimes that necessitates a head shot; specifically to the ocular cavity. With good training and practice it's not impossible or impractical if that's all that's going to stop a threat that is within striking distance.

Mike Galway · Sep 18, 2023

It's legalese. Author is subtly telling us what to say. You didn't shoot to kill, you shot to stop the threat, period.

pistolgrips · Sep 20, 2023

Responding to all and no one in particular for the sake of argument. Most of you will be offended anyhow.

With the exception of Rick O'Shay and most currently working Law Enforcement:
Stick to posting pictures of 1911's. Please.
And never, ever go out in public. Become a hermit in the truest sense of the word for your sake, for those who love you as well as the general population.

There's a high probability based on these posts you will die if there is a cretin hell bent on killing you, even if that's not his or her original intent.

If you do go out in public, please get some legitimate training before hand and practice, practice, practice.Take your firearm with you everywhere you go after the training has been burned into your mind and body, just know those skills you perfected at a square range (or elsewhere) will diminish by 50%+ in a real gunfight.

GerSan69 · Sep 20, 2023

What many of these opinion articles don't take into consideration is that chances are the target will not be stationary. They/he/she will be moving, perhaps a lot, if this is a mass-shooting scenario. Center mass is your best aim point because as the largest area, it gives you the best chance for a hit. Aiming for a smaller area increases the chances for a miss.

Bender · Sep 24, 2023

Aim to maim is a very poor choice that will end up with you losing everything and possible jail time

CECannonJr · Sep 24, 2023

Bender said:
Aim to maim is a very poor choice that will end up with you losing everything and possible jail time

I agree.

BIGDAVE101 · Oct 11, 2023

pistolgrips said:
Responding to all and no one in particular for the sake of argument. Most of you will be offended anyhow.

With the exception of Rick O'Shay and most currently working Law Enforcement:
Stick to posting pictures of 1911's. Please.
And never, ever go out in public. Become a hermit in the truest sense of the word for your sake, for those who love you as well as the general population.

There's a high probability based on these posts you will die if there is a cretin hell bent on killing you, even if that's not his or her original intent.

If you do go out in public, please get some legitimate training before hand and practice, practice, practice.Take your firearm with you everywhere you go after the training has been burned into your mind and body, just know those skills you perfected at a square range (or elsewhere) will diminish by 50%+ in a real gunfight.

SO OFFENDED!!! Sorry, can`t remember why...

John Galt · Oct 26, 2023

Shoot till the threat stops moving, smoke a couple cigarettes, dial 911

John Galt · Oct 26, 2023

Every time a clear threat is allowed to be captured instead of shot dead fleeing it costs taxpayers in excess of $5 mil.

like this Lewiston shooter, if he is captured he will cost the public $20 mil and get three hots and a cot for life.

F these people in the extreme. Bring back the body, set it out in the public square for the crows.
America has become a nation of pussies.

pistolgrips · Oct 26, 2023

John Galt said:
Every time a clear threat is allowed to be captured instead of shot dead fleeing it costs taxpayers in excess of $5 mil.

like this Lewiston shooter, if he is captured he will cost the public $20 mil and get three hots and a cot for life.

F these people in the extreme. Bring back the body, set it out in the public square for the crows.
America has become a nation of pussies.

Oooo…An original American bad ass…
Ya left out "Let God sort 'em out".