TexasCHLforum.com

Abraham wrote:Fair enough.

I do think many take the position that possessing a CHL obligates them beyond the boundaries of what they're about, if that makes any sense...?

<SNIP>

I was who I am and do what I do long before CHL's. It is only that there is another tool and another option to carry out the actions and choices I have made since the CHL.

Abraham wrote:baldeagle,

You're right - in the scenario you've listed, there's no ambiguity, but if the bad guy's isn't a direct threat to me or my loved ones, I'm not going to intervene.

Of course, I'm not going to cover my eyes and hope for the best either. I will be ready as I can be, but I won't act unless it's absolutely necessary to defend me and/or mine.

I'm not an LEO.

em. mine

And an LEO has no duty to protect you says the Supreme Court.

Let's look at the "me and mine" litmus test. Now as a CHL I'm not going on the prowl looking for good to do, which is more a vigilante than an LEO anyway. The PRIMARY reason I got a CHL is so I could protect "me and mine" in more areas and circumstances than would otherwise be legally allowed. So far, so good.

Now I am sitting in church, "me and mine" take up a whole pew which as it happens is fairly close to a side door. Now let's pretend a bad guy comes in the back , starts waving a gun around and targets people to shoot. Being the condition yellow guy I notice this unfolding and my well trained spouse and son-in-law manage to get everyone scurrying out of the side door. Now I have no family in the danger zone but wait, what about my brothers and sisters in Christ. Do I cower, call the PD and be a good witness or do I, with my weapon, training and proficiency end the threat to everyone in attendance? What is my MORAL obligation vs. legal duty?

I see my life long best friend being attacked, and threatened at gun point. I am not in the fight, so do I hold back, call PD, and play a good witness until some action on part of the bad guy makes the choice moot? Or do I intervene? Is he of "me and mine"?

Okay, those were easy. Now I am at my place of employment and our hypothetical bad guy walks in, points a gun at another employee and says "Give all of the cash or I'll kill you!" I, once again manage to slip out, get my weapon and am faced with the choice: Knowing the prevalence of robbers killing their victims to eliminate witnesses, do I call PD, stay where it is safe and play "good witness" or do I take the calculated risk and intervene saving possibly a casual work acquaintance? Is this person "me and mine"?

FWIW, this mantra, "I am not an LEO." is a cop out (no pun intended). The sad reality is LEO's are an after the fact player. With the occasional happenstance not withstanding, they are not in a position to intervene until the deed's been done. It would rend my heart should I be in a position with the equipment and ability to stop such horrors; instead I stay safely out of the way, call PD and "be a good witness" while some miscreant destroys an innocent life.

I will defend myself and my loved ones, but I'm not going to put myself in harm's way for you or your property.

So I guess military, police, fire and such are out of the question for your employment choices? I hope you'll forgive me as I defend those I am afforded the opportunity whilst you stay out of harm's way, call PD and be a good witness. Oh yeah, provided the opportunity I would defend you and yours as well even if you don't feel compelled to return the courtesy.