When to draw and when not to draw

[Texguy]

I've recently completely a CHL class and received my CHL. Now that I am carrying, I think about how I would use this new 'right' and I realize that my training didn't cover that in sufficient depth. Some situations are obvious (my life in immediate danger...any life in immediate danger..intruder), some are not (store I'm in is getting robbed...mugger attack on person in my general area...someone fleeing the scene after a criminal act). Do you only draw if you intend to fire? or is there ever a situation where you draw with no intent to fire?

Where does someone go to get answers to this?

[Keith B]

Everyone has to make their own decision on when they will or won't draw their weapon and under what circumstances. Each scenario will be different, so you can't say in black and white for every event 'I will draw for this' or 'I won't draw for this'.

My personal rule is I will not be drawing my weapon unless I feel I am going to have to use it. Things may change after I do to where I won't have to, but I will be to the point I think there is no other option when I draw.

[Rrash]

Do you only draw if you intend to fire? or is there ever a situation where you draw with no intent to fire?

Where does someone go to get answers to this?

What if the BG has a knife and is walking toward you. Do you draw with the intent to fire? Probably, if he is within what you have determined an unsafe distance. What if he sees you draw and drops the knife, runs away, or takes a step backwards? Do you shoot then? The imminent threat has dissipated, so I would argue no. As stated earlier, each situation is unique to itself, and will have its own special circumstances.

My point is that if you can effectively stop the threat without pulling your trigger, take that option 100% of the time. Should you be ready to pull the trigger upon drawing your weapon? Yes, also 100% of the time. Don't even put your hand near your weapon unless you have mentally prepared yourself for both situations.

[Abraham]

Sage advice.

Me, I have a tendency that says "Am I in such immediate danger my life could end or my loved ones"?

Thus, should I pull my weapon?

And, do I intercede because it's patently obviously that some innocent person is endangered and without my help they will suffer grievous harm?

Up to you.

Better be certain you're fully certain of the situation, if you're not, welcome to variety of awfuls legally and other you're having enter your life...

[SQLGeek]

There is a really great post on another forum that talks about this in a longer conversation about self defense. It's titled "Street Robberies And You". A Google search will lead you to it.

I think it, in my layman's opinion, it should be required reading for all new CHL holders. There is some salty language in the post if that bothers you but it's worth the read.

I've made my decision on when I will be drawing. It's personal so it doesn't make as much sense to share but it will happen when my threshold has been crossed.

[n5wd]

I've made my decision on when I will be drawing. It's personal so it doesn't make as much sense to share but it will happen when my threshold has been crossed.

A good start to deciding when/if you're going to deploy your weapon is thinking about where your threshold will be. It's no bueno to wait until a potential threat is 6 feet in front of you headed your way to decide that now is a good time to grab that gun.

[android]

Breaking this up for clarity:

Do you only draw if you intend to fire?

Careful with this one - some folks reword this and say "If you draw, you must shoot" - which is patently silly.

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".

or is there ever a situation where you draw with no intent to fire?

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.

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.

[RPBrown]

Everyone has to make their own decision on when they will or won't draw their weapon and under what circumstances. Each scenario will be different, so you can't say in black and white for every event 'I will draw for this' or 'I won't draw for this'.

My personal rule is I will not be drawing my weapon unless I feel I am going to have to use it. Things may change after I do to where I won't have to, but I will be to the point I think there is no other option when I draw.

I agree with Keith on this.

However, as to when to draw--If my life or that of my family is in danger--YES. If someone else's life in my general area is in danger-Maybe-if given an opportunity. If someone is running away for any reason, probably not.

[Beiruty]

The justification of the use of deadly force is in well explained in Texas law. In short, if your life in danger (you see someone who is using or about to using a deadly force against you. Or, you have been (or about to be ) robbed, kidnapped, and rest of justification under the law.

Now, the law consider the threat of the use of deadly force is only a force when force is justified. Use this judicially.

[Texguy]

Good stuff. The responses were worth reading more than once. I'd like to think that other CHL classes spend more time on this topic than mine did.

[CainA]

There is a really great post on another forum that talks about this in a longer conversation about self defense. It's titled "Street Robberies And You". A Google search will lead you too it.

I think it, in my layman's opinion, it should be required reading for all new CHL holders. There is some salty language in the post if that bothers you but it's worth the read.

I've made my decision on when I will be drawing. It's personal so it doesn't make as much sense to share but it will happen when my threshold has been crossed.

That is a good read. Thanks for posting that.

[Jim Beaux]

A few of my thoughts:

When I draw my weapon a law has been broken; either by the perceived threat or by me (at minimum, brandishing).
When I draw I must be prepared to spend a few nights in jail and a minimum of $10,000 for legal fees.
The primary purpose of my gun is to protect me and mine. I cant afford to defend the world & have no intentions to unless there is no other choice.
If Im in a public place & things go south (ie robbery/active shooter) my goal will be to try and find a nice quiet corner.
I am reluctant to kill someone but will do what the circumstances demand.
If I ever kill someone it cant be undone and Im stuck with the consequences.
My gun is intended to shoot paper and cans. I hope I can maintain its intent.

[TomsTXCHL]

I'd like to think that other CHL classes spend more time on this topic than mine did.

My CHL class was primarily structured so that students would pass the test, though numerous anecdotes were hammered-home relative to "protect yourself; save your life".

IMO you carry to protect yourself and/or your loved ones from an immediate threat, and you never, ever draw unless you need to stop such a threat NOW (which hopefully does NOT necessarily mean pulling the trigger).

To use your CCW in any other way would subject me to legal risks I would be exceedingly reluctant to take. In other words, I hope I never have to pull my weapon because it means I felt my very life was in danger, thus I DON'T CARE/CAN'T WORRY about the legal implications.

[tomdavis]

Many thanks to SQLGeek for the mention of "Street Robberies and You". I found it easily and it looks like great insight.