Should you report an incident when...?

[atxgun]

Say you're walking down the street, some thug pops out with a knife demanding your money. You respond by drawing your weapon and asking him to think twice about his actions. He turns and runs. There is no longer an immediate threat so you reholster your firearm.

Are you required to report such an incident? If not, would it be wise to do so just in case there was someone half way witnessing it and all they saw was you pull a gun?

I would imagine in such a scenario you'd be walking down the street b/c you were en route to some place and wouldn't want to be held up by waiting for the cops to show up and take a report. At at the same time though I certainly wouldn't want to be breaking any laws by not reporting or risk the cops chasing me down for being an unknown person that just drew his gun on someone.

[frankie_the_yankee]

You are not required by law to report it as far as I know.

But many people would advise you to report it. There's a school of thought that says that the first one to call the cops is the victim. You don't want the BG calling the cops and claiming that some crazy guy (you) pulled a gun on him.

In most circumstances I think I would make a report. You have to make your own decision in the context of the specific situation you encounter.

[AEA]

Although I do not believe that you are required to report it, I do believe it is the best thing to do.

You should use your Cell Phone and call the police and state just what you did here, along with a description of the person and the location it happened.

A few reasons for this.....
1. As you already stated, someone else may have seen you draw and have reported "Man with a gun" to police.
2. You can provide a description and approximate area to the police where a robber is operating.
3. Your call will be first to the police, in case the robber actually wants to "ruin your day" by calling the cops first and reporting that you pulled a gun on him for no reason. He can describe your gun and based on that the cops may charge you for intentional failure to conceal.

[AEA]

frankie, sorry....we were typing at the same time!

[Wildscar]

and whats to say he just didn't run off to find some friend to come back and handle the job right. Always something.

[seamusTX]

I agree with all of the above, and it is what ElGato advises.

- Jim

[lrb111]

Report it. Then when he is caught later trying to stick up the 7-11, the cops will call you to confirm on his first infraction.

[DoubleJ]

speaking of statistics (other thread), you should definitely call the Heat, well, if no other reason, than to help our statistics.
you have just proven, once again, that a CHL holder prevented a crime, didn't even have to pull the trigger, and of course, most improtantly of all, was not the one committing the crime.
but that's just how I saw it.

[Venus Pax]

Report it. Then when he is caught later trying to stick up the 7-11, the cops will call you to confirm on his first infraction.

The LEOs have likely had encounters with this individual already. You're report could create additional charges.

[seamusTX]

The LEOs have likely had encounters with this individual already. You're report could create additional charges.

That was my experience. I was robbed and reported it to the police. A couple of days later, they called me to pick one of the robbers out of a lineup.

I didn't hear anything more. Probably the robber took a plea bargain.

-Jim

[seeker_two]

Although I do not believe that you are required to report it, I do believe it is the best thing to do.

You should use your Cell Phone and call the police and state just what you did here, along with a description of the person and the location it happened.

A few reasons for this.....
1. As you already stated, someone else may have seen you draw and have reported "Man with a gun" to police.
2. You can provide a description and approximate area to the police where a robber is operating.
3. Your call will be first to the police, in case the robber actually wants to "ruin your day" by calling the cops first and reporting that you pulled a gun on him for no reason. He can describe your gun and based on that the cops may charge you for intentional failure to conceal.

+1, AEA.

These same reasons were given on that "Personal Defense TV" show on Outdoor Channel by Massad Ayoob. And they make a lot of sense....

[brewster]

Great thread, guys. All of you have made some very good and informative points that we should all know.

[dukalmighty]

Let me get this right,somebody just tried to rob me and i stopped the crime by drawing my weapon,yes i am going to call the police and try to get him arrested before he walks down the street and robs somebody else,or worse

[brewster]

I think the context of the question was more related to whether it was prudent to report drawing on someone, regardless of the specific circumstances. By default, drawing a gun should imply that it's a bad situation. With that said, this is a good thread with some constructive dialogue. I think what he was asking (in essence) is if you draw on someone and the situation seems to be back to normal right away, maybe even if nobody see it, what justifies the hassle of an hour or two of paperwork?

I think the consensus is play it safe, don't let the other guy play victim, avoid witnesses from afar seeing your gun and not understanding the situation, and reporting it might help catch them doing something else.

Long story short; it's always worth the hassle.

[seamusTX]

I think what he was asking (in essence) is if you draw on someone and the situation seems to be back to normal right away, maybe even if nobody what justifies the hassle of an hour or two of paperwork?

Did you leave out some words?

Reporting an attempted crime in most big cities won't even get you a visit from the police. They just take information over the phone.

Now, if you say that you are armed and drew on the robber, it might get a little more attention. I don't personally know anyone who has done it.

- Jim