AndyC wrote:Breaking this up for clarity:
Careful with this one - some folks reword this and say "If you draw, you must shoot" - which is patently silly.Texguy wrote:Do you only draw if you intend to fire?
I've drawn a number of times, but that was because I fully expected that I'd have to shoot - which most times turned out not to be the case (folks turned and ran, gave up, etc). If you draw a pistol you should be prepared to use it - big difference between that and "If you draw a pistol you have to use it".
You don't ever want to bluff with a gun. What are you going to do if you pull a pistol with no actual intent to use it - and some punk kid calls your bluff? Bad move - and it could be legitimately argued that you've just escalated the situation where HE is in fear of his life.Texguy wrote:or is there ever a situation where you draw with no intent to fire?
Good discussion. You draw when you intend to STOP the immediate threat of death or bodily injury to yourself or another. That is sometimes by shooting, but if the aggressor immediately backs down while you're taking aim, you aren't legally obligated to shoot him just because you drew your weapon.