Will you shoot?

[Kinetic]

I say you have a duty to your family first. If intervening in a situation where the chances of coming out of it are slim, I would not get involved. We need to think about our wife and kids without their husband/father. We are not cops and we do not have a duty to protect other people. However, that it not to say I would not get involved. It would depend many variables whether I would or not. There is one circumstance where I would always get involved and that would be where children are the victims.

[j1132s]

In this hypothetical situation (poll), things are black-and-white where you know who's the GB and you can get away unless you get involved.

Interesting.. the ratio of "yes" to "no" votes differs so much than my friends'. But that isn't too surprising given the amount of upstanding people here. I'd think even the "no" voters can't say for sure that they wouldn't intervene in real life as we know things (esp emotional) don't always go as planned.

What surprised my was the large amount of replies... which is good.. as more discussion and understanding is always a good thing. In any case, the poll is anonymous so there's no need to post a justification reply.

Some previous posters mentioned about how I'd feel if I were the victim. Well, I'd definitely appreciate help (and I'd be screaming help for sure), but I wouldn't feel any animosity towards anybody running away in this situation... after all getting involved possibly means getting killed. Of course, cops running away is different than a CHL running away, but we aren't cops.

Anyway, I'll relay this interesting result to my friends next time I see them.

[karder]

While we never know how we will react under fire, I would like to think that I would come to the defense of others, even if they were strangers. Understanding that there will be fear, shock, and adrenaline all working against me, I would hope that I would have the courage and calmness to take out the shooter.

[Pete92FS]

with Old Gringo...............you have to be there in the situation and hope that God gives you the wisdom and courage to do what is right.

with both Old Gringo and Buffalo_Speedway_Tx. I didn't vote Yes or No because this is one of those situations where no one knows for sure what they are going to do until actually confronted.

[bizarrenormality]

I also want to go on record and say I won't go on record with an answer.

[stroo]

There is not enough information here for me to know what I would do. How do I know the guy shooting is the BG and the victim is the victim. How close am I? Is the BG looking in my direction? Do I have my family with me or am I alone? If my family is with me, how easy is it for me to get them out of there? I could probably spend all day thinking of questions. There just plain isn't enough information here for me to answer your question

[drjoker]

I'm glad I live in Texas! To be honest, I expected everyone to vote "no". I remember that someone else from S Africa (I forget who) posted something about a Kitty Genovese who was killed in view of 36 people and nobody helped nor called the cops! This was in NY city. Again, I'm glad I live in Texas!

Yes, I would help. However, I would NOT help if I am not 100% certain that the shooter is not acting in self-defense or a LEO. If I shoot someone and that person dies, remember, death is irreversible, so I have to be 100% sure. 99.9% ain't gonna cut it. The perp will have to be armed with a deadly weapon and there would have to be no alternative to shooting. I don't even believe in the death penalty so I will not shoot anyone who is not armed with a deadly weapon. My conscience will not allow shooting an unarmed perp. Like the annoyed man, I would also need a clear shot. I don't want to shoot an innocent bystander.

I love this state! Once, my tire popped in NYC and nobody offered to help me. My tire popped here in Texas and 2 drivers stopped and asked if I needed help in 5 minutes or so. I'm a middle aged man and I'm not even a cute girl, but other guys offered to help! That's why I'm willing to help others, because others are willing to help me in this great state!

God bless Texas,

[der Teufel]

I learned some valuable lessons while in the Army.

A sergeant once told me "When you see a fight shaping up, whether it's in a bar or on the battlefield, size up the situation and see if it looks like a fair fight. If it looks like a fair fight, get the hell out of there! You have no business getting into a fight unless you have an overwhelming superiority!" That seemed like good advice at the time and I still believe in it. If, as The Annoyed Man said, I have a reasonable expectation of coming out ahead, I would probably attempt to at least stop a shooter from further actions. I may only scare him enough to make him stop what he's doing, but even that might be considered at least partial success.

OTOH, I might be so scared that there's no telling what I'd really do. That's honestly the more likely scenario. That's another lesson I learned in the Army. When the shooting starts, I get really nervous.

[Spanky]

It's easy to say yes, but when the real deal comes up you better be able to make up your mind quick. Also be ready to explain yourself.

[7075-T7]

Insufficient information on the threat-time continuum means I vote "no". I got the CHL for "me and my three". Cold hearted, maybe, but I have to be there for them regardless of what happens to the guy down the street.

[cubbyjg]

What about legally? It is my understanding that legally, we are not obligated to (morally, i feel i am if the situation allows me to with a high probability i can walk out alive). Are we allowed to engage a person who could potentially kill another human being even though we are not being threatened at the moment (ie mall shooting comes to my mind)? I asked this question in my chl class and didnt get a clear answer from my instructor.

[Zoomie]

Like other's have said, I don't think I could live with myself if I ran away from a mass shooting, If someone is stranded on the side of the road, I'll stop to help, if people are going to die because some madman is using a mall as his personal range, I would have to take whatever steps possible to eliminate the threat. Some have used the test of "do I have a reasonable expectation of coming out on top". I, on the other hand would apply the test of "do I have a reasonable expectation of saving someone else's (other than my own) life" and "What action will save the most innocent lives". That being said, I do not fault any by applying a different test to any given situation. However part of my answer springs from a religious conviction, if Jesus, the son of God is willing to die for me, how can I not be willing to risk my life for my fellow man?

[cubbyjg]

I agree and i apply the same logic. however, my religious and moral beliefs might not agree with the law of Texas.

[boomerang]

Chapter 9 seems pretty clear on the legal front. Your morals are up to you.
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... 9.htm#9.33" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[sixline]

Agreed, I couldn't live with the thought that I ran away instead of helping someone even if it put my life in danger.

I'd like to think I would help in any way I can. I would hope someone would do the same for me. Of course, every situation is different and we never know until the time comes.