so who taught him the rules to carry?

[tim-adams]

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/socie...-got-wrong-man

OMG he not only did a Negligent discharge but he put it in the air...

*face palm*

I was taught to never pull the firearm until the justification to fire existed, there was not pointing, no ND, no threatening.

when you feel your life is in danger you draw and fire, I am not a LEO, I am not authorized to actually legally point a firearm at a person ( I think its Assault with a Deadly weapon)
this guy was way off the reservation..

now i will say that police should also have gotten the thugs who threatened him, but he messed that up with a ND.
all he should have done was shine his flashlight into their eyes and told them the police are on the way.
if they got within threat range with a knife or bat, defend you life.

*sigh*

[cstone]

Warning shots are a bad idea.

I would guess that a good attorney gets the charge down to unlawful discharge within city limits, which would be a misdemeanor just about anywhere.

Only him and his fiancée as witnesses, it makes anything on either side difficult to prove.

Glad neither he nor his fiancée were harmed.

[tim-adams]

Warning shots are a bad idea.

I would guess that a good attorney gets the charge down to unlawful discharge within city limits, which would be a misdemeanor just about anywhere.

Only him and his fiancée as witnesses, it makes anything on either side difficult to prove.

Glad neither he nor his fiancée were harmed.

+1

[Bailey Guns]

“In some of the concealed weapons classes and firearm prevention classes I have taken, they have said, you know, it's good to fire a warning shot,” Harris said.

He needs to find better classes.

On the one hand I sympathize with the guy. On the other hand he did endanger other people by being stupid.

I wouldn't say "never pull the firearm until the justification to fire existed, there was not pointing, no ND, no threatening" is the right course of action. "Never" is a strong word and rules out using a firearm in many situations where you may not be justified or prepared to fire immediately, but prudence dictates having a firearm ready. A "bump in the night" at home is one case where you may want to have a firearm at the ready and not be ready to fire. Lethal force scenarios are dynamic and can change quickly. I also wouldn't have a problem threatening someone with a gun if the circumstances permitted. Such as, the "bump in the night" turns out to be someone attempting to make entry into my home. Say they're trying to break a door or window in order to enter. I don't see any problem at all with pointing the gun at them and even threatening to shoot them if they are successful in their attempt at gaining entry. As a matter of fact I'd say that's likely a smart thing to do. I'd much rather threaten someone with my gun than actually have to shoot them.

There are all sorts of situations I can imagine where pointing my gun at someone and threatening to shoot them, without actually shooting them, would be appropriate. Warning shots? NEVER!

[tim-adams]

“In some of the concealed weapons classes and firearm prevention classes I have taken, they have said, you know, it's good to fire a warning shot,” Harris said.

He needs to find better classes.

I agree, I have had pistol classes from three people, all of them said do not discharge your piston unless you are in fear of life.
at that point you are NOT firing warning shoots..

[mcantar18c]

I'd much rather threaten someone with my gun than actually have to shoot them.

Read: "I'd much rather let a potentially violent, deranged person with obvious disregard for the law, who now knows where I live, know there are firearms and maybe other cool things he can get a lot of money for on the street in the house and then send him on his merry way with a potential grudge against me."

That could be an invitation for future problems for you, and is likely a guarantee of future problems for somebody else down the road.

[Ronin13]

Read: "I'd much rather let a potentially violent, deranged person with obvious disregard for the law, who now knows where I live, know there are firearms and maybe other cool things he can get a lot of money for on the street in the house and then send him on his merry way with a potential grudge against me."

That could be an invitation for future problems for you, and is likely a guarantee of future problems for somebody else down the road.

Woah, slow down there, hoss. How did it go from pointing your gun at them to them now knowing exactly where you live? That's a bit excessive.

Thanks to Bailey for clarifying... I was just going to say tim-adams, your wife must not be a criminal attorney, as pointing a gun at someone is menacing, not assault. Either way, when CCWing I use the Katana rule- my sword (gun) doesn't leave the scabbard (holster) unless it's going to be used.

[mcantar18c]

Woah, slow down there, hoss. How did it go from pointing your gun at them to them now knowing exactly where you live? That's a bit excessive.

Did you read BG's post that I was responding to? He's specifically referring to a "bump in the night" incident and encountering someone attempting to enter his home.

[davsel]

Either way, when CCWing I use the Katana rule- my sword (gun) doesn't leave the scabbard (holster) unless it's going to be used.

I am certain you are aware of multiple reasons why you may want to have a gun in your hand, at the ready, and may not pull the trigger.
Cops do this all the time. It is not a matter of threatening, it is a matter of readiness.
Hesitation, or waiting until you've determined you are going to shoot before drawing, may get you killed.

If looking down the barrel does not change a thug's mind, it's time to shoot. They usually understand the message and run.

[Ronin13]

I am certain you are aware of multiple reasons why you may want to have a gun in your hand, at the ready, and may not pull the trigger.
Cops do this all the time. It is not a matter of threatening, it is a matter of readiness.
Hesitation, or waiting until you've determined you are going to shoot before drawing, may get you killed.

If looking down the barrel does not change a thug's mind, it's time to shoot. They usually understand the message and run.

Good point, but in my context use can mean not firing the gun... I should have clarified. If I draw, there is the intent to pull the trigger, however, as the situation unfolds, I may deem it to be unnecessary to fire. At the ready is still considered a use. But again, the point remains, warning shots are more dangerous than engaging a target- for everyone around as well as your own freedom.