Quote Originally Posted by Batteriesnare View Post
That being said, if you and I were in McDonalds, and some wackjob came in and grabbed me from behind and held me hostage, and you had your gun on you that day, I would hope you would be competent enough in your weapon skills to take that motherfucker down.

Thats all.
Well, I have a couple of questions for you:
  1. Do you seriously think that's something the average person with a permit is obligated to do...to place themselves at great moral and legal (both criminal and civil) jeopardy to save you in that particular situation?
  2. Would you seriously want someone whom you didn't know a thing about to take that shot? Whether cop or civilian?
  3. Do you think the average cop would take that shot?
  4. Are you just expecting the bad guy to hold still and give someone that kind of shot?
  5. Don't you think you're really reaching for a LOGICAL justification to your side of the argument with that scenario?
Here's my response to your hypothetical scenario. You and I, in addition to the bad guy and a bunch of employees, are in McD's. I'm carrying. Not only am I pretty competent with a gun, I'm pretty well versed in the legal ramifications of using a gun to protect myself and others.

The situation goes down and bad guy grabs you as a hostage. Unless my life, or the life of someone I really care for, is in imminent danger, I got news for ya. Sucks being you. Because I'm not gonna take the shot. Unless the bad directly threatens me, I'm not gonna take the shot. Now, if he caps you and starts shooting up the place, I'll most likely return fire unless I have a sure-fire escape route.

But...as Joe Citizen, it's not worth my life, my freedom and/or losing everything I've ever worked for, to protect you in that situation. Period.

So, if you get taken hostage in that situation, you're gonna have to wait for the police to get there. Guess you shoulda had your gun.