There is a third option. My primary focus is on protecting my family (your #1). That will take priority. So if my family is present, my first mission is to safely extract them from the situation as quickly as possible. But if they aren't present, or I can quickly get them to a position of complete safety, then I may well use my firearm in defense of innocent strangers (your #2). This assumes that I can accurately identify the good and bad guys, which is not always easy.surprise_i'm_armed wrote:Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.
NIV, John 15:13
There has been a difference of opinion by members here:
1. Some have made the decision to act with armed force only if they their family is threatened.
These people put their own family first, and that's understandable.
2. Some people would use their firearms in defense of innocent strangers, even if the LTC
could escape the situation.
My decision is #2. If I was the only armed person when something goes down, I would try my
utmost to fire with accuracy and immediacy of action. If God wants me to survive the action,
that's good. If I didn't survive the encounter, at least I may have put some lead on some BG.
Besides, my treasures are laid up in heaven.
Hearses don't have roof racks or trailer hitches because you can't take it with you. :-)
SIA
I guess my order is family first, innocent strangers second, and myself third.