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RogueUSMC wrote:But finally, if I squeeze a trigger, I need to have the intent to stop a heartbeat. Any thing else is a mistake.

Personally, I phrase that differently. If I have to squeeze a trigger, I have the intent to stop the threat. If a consequence of stopping the threat is the person dies, then that is the natural consequence. But the intent is to stop the threat, not kill someone.

I agree a center mass shot is usually the quickest and most effective means to stop a threat. Death can be one outcome of the center mass shot, but it does not have to be the intended outcome.

cb1000rider wrote:I understand that and I've always had trouble with the opinion (that I've largely seen on this forum) of "I'm drawing, I'm firing". Seems like those should be two different decisions, assuming you've got the time to make them.

I agree they are different decisions. However, I phrase it a little differently: "If I am drawing, I am willing to fire if necessary."

I believe there are some people who have the belief that merely drawing a handgun is some kind of magic talisman that will cause the other person to flee in horror. They do not have any expectation that if they draw, they may need to shoot. Merely drawing may be all that is required 95 times out of a hundred, but sometimes the other person's reaction will quickly escalate the situation where shooting is necessary. A person who hasn't thought that through and is simply displaying an empty threat instead of serious purpose is going to find things going quickly sour.