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Should You Threaten the Use of Deadly Force and Fire Warning Shots?
USA Carry ^ | May 21, 2014 | Col (Dr) Benjamin Findley

Posted on 05/31/2014 9:23:36 AM PDT by FlashBack

Should you fire a warning shot when confronted by an attacker? In some states it is legal to fire a warning shot and in others it is not. For example, California Penal Code 246.3 (negligent discharge of firearms) prohibits firing a gun in a grossly negligent manner, like a warning shot. As a felony conviction, it provides for up to 3 years in prison and a maximum of $10,000 fine. It is also a felony in New Hampshire, Tennessee, and several other states to fire a warning shot with similar penalties, if you are not justified. A friend in North Carolina actually dispelled a myth of some there, saying that it is NOT a law there that you must fire a warning shot. In North Carolina, there are 4 elements in law for a perfect self-defense that do not include firing warning shots.

(Excerpt) Read more at usacarry.com ...


TOPICS: Education; Government; Outdoors; Society
KEYWORDS: banglist; firearms; selfdefense
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To: Wyrd bið ful aræd

For those who support warning shots, Just as a matter of philosophy - because I don’t believe in warning shots - in states where it’s not legal, it’s a fair defense to claim one tried to kill the attacker with the shot but missed. Let ‘em prove otherwise.

I prefer to say that the first one in center mass was the warning, the second was because the warning didn’t work.


21 posted on 05/31/2014 10:13:49 AM PDT by DPMD
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To: DCBryan1

Why waste a bullet you might need?

TC


22 posted on 05/31/2014 10:16:38 AM PDT by Pentagon Leatherneck
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To: Kenny Bunk

Beat me to it.


23 posted on 05/31/2014 10:20:16 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum ("The more numerous the laws, the more corrupt the government." --Tacitus)
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To: FlashBack

Let’s assume that each of us has sufficient sense to not draw unless we are in fear of bodily harm.

From the time you draw to the moment before pulling the trigger you have sufficient time to determine whether the threat persists.

Yes? Pull the trigger.

No? Stand firm until you are certain.

Trying to evaluate all the technical details of the law is a waste of time.


24 posted on 05/31/2014 10:23:57 AM PDT by G Larry (Which of Obama's policies do you think I'd support if he were white?)
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To: The_Republic_Of_Maine; All

“The thinking behind that is that if you have the time to fire a warning shot, you have the time to run.”

Many situations are more complex than that. Every situation is different.

I think warning shots are bad policy, but every policy has exceptions.


25 posted on 05/31/2014 10:27:03 AM PDT by marktwain (The old media must die for the Republic to live. Long live the new media!)
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To: TexasGator
Been there done that.

Me too. For someone that doesn't shoot frequently, a warm up shot helps everyone in attendance know everything is tested and good to go if things get any worse.

26 posted on 05/31/2014 10:37:11 AM PDT by Reeses
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To: The_Republic_Of_Maine

I agree with you. If they don’t run or surrender when they see the gun, it means they don’t think you will actually shoot them. A warning shot reinforces that impression, and puts you in greater danger of them trying something, figuring you will hesitate to fire.

Starting to shoot center mass on all targets who are not running away is safest.


27 posted on 05/31/2014 10:38:06 AM PDT by SauronOfMordor (Socialists want YOUR wealth redistributed, never THEIRS!)
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To: All


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28 posted on 05/31/2014 10:39:00 AM PDT by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
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To: Kenny Bunk

Excellent advice!


29 posted on 05/31/2014 10:44:00 AM PDT by Rich21IE
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To: The_Republic_Of_Maine
Then I don't know where they get the idea that a warning shot in Tennessee is a felony, because there is no "duty to retreat" in Tennessee.

I just completed my CCW training a few weeks ago. The instructor said nothing about firing a warning shot being a felony; he said it was a bad idea, in part because the bullet could hit someone or something else, and the shooter would be liable for that.

30 posted on 05/31/2014 10:57:45 AM PDT by Campion
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To: Campion

my gun lawyer in my legal class, who used to be an ada, said a warning shot can be construed at trial to indicate the shooter was not in immediate danger. there is right and there is wrong and there is the legal system, not to be confused with a justice system.


31 posted on 05/31/2014 11:05:30 AM PDT by bravo whiskey (We should not fear our government. Our government should fear us.)
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To: Kenny Bunk

The failure to emphasize Shutting the F up, renders your advice very dangerous. You should have mention to STFU a few more times.


32 posted on 05/31/2014 11:07:02 AM PDT by Lazamataz (Early 2009 to 7/21/2013 - RIP my little girl Cathy. You were the best cat ever. You will be missed.)
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To: FlashBack

Warning shots? As many of the bad reasons for so doing have been mentioned, I won’t belabor the point.

Are you willing to waste a life-saving shot, risk a malfunction, use up to perhaps 20% of your available ammo, be responsible for every inch of the shot’s trajectory and everything in its path?

Having firearm in hand before it is actually needed for discharge, but not prior to being fully justified in presenting it is a fine line that needs to be fully considered. Either way, you may be in trouble or dead.

Finally, the situation is critical to understanding this paradigm. In ones house? No need to keep holstered it’s your domain, on the street in public places? Holstered until just before it is required to be employed.

Those who describe having used warning shots ought to be a bit more descriptive. In a military context I have used warning shots ( secure facility overseas) followed with lethal fire and in life as a US resident, I have used a sidearm in what thankfully ended w/o shots being fired.

No situation is so textbook that anyone of us can or ought to expect a certain set of lockstep reactions. As those who have been in such situations can attest to, nothing makes a whole lot of rational sense until it is over and you are still breathing.

Whatever you do, indeed do take the advice to have a well-rehearsed statement for the police. Make it short, sweet and easily repeatable- then say it over and over until your attorney advises you further.

Be safe, trust God.


33 posted on 05/31/2014 11:15:39 AM PDT by Manly Warrior (US ARMY (Ret), "No Free Lunches for the Dogs of War")
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To: Lazamataz
The failure to emphasize Shutting the F up, renders your advice very dangerous.

My fault for omitting the key parts of the Kenny Bunk Righteous Shoot Doctrine. Sorry.

Steps (6) through (45) should read, "STFU!", closely followed by legal advice steps (46) through (212), which read. "Please STFU!"

In any righteous shoot confrontation, there should be two very silent people present. The Shooter, and The Shootee.*

*Others will be only too happy to speak for the Shootee....usually a good boy, an aspiring Rapper who was turning his life around and was viciously stalked by the shooter while on his way to (pick one) Nuclear Physics Class, Bible Study, A Meals on Wheels Delivery.

34 posted on 05/31/2014 11:25:02 AM PDT by Kenny Bunk (Vote for a gay African Marxist for POTUS? Sure. What could go wrong?)
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To: Manly Warrior

Even Joe Biden recommends firing warning shots, what other authority do you need? (sarc)


35 posted on 05/31/2014 11:26:41 AM PDT by DaveA37
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To: FlashBack

yup.

I several self dense case I have read about the defender fired warning shots and the bad guy claimed it was all a miss understanding and the defender over reacted.

Wasn’t a woman in Florida given a few years in jail for this recently?

If she’d fired those warning shots center-mass I think she would have fared better in court.


36 posted on 05/31/2014 11:34:04 AM PDT by JimBianchi11 (The 2A is the cornerstone of our free society. Those that don't support it, oppose it.)
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To: Smedley

Hell no , then the perp sues you or his homies come back for revenge.


37 posted on 05/31/2014 11:50:16 AM PDT by bjorn14 (Woe to those who call good evil and evil good. Isaiah 5:20)
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To: FlashBack

No warning shots. They waste ammo, and if you are using a semi-auto, it might jam. Plus it is confusing. Just make the shot, make it count, put him down, pick up your brass, and get out of town.


38 posted on 05/31/2014 11:52:17 AM PDT by olepap (Your old Pappy)
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To: FlashBack
that bullet is going somewhere and YOU are liable for it

Within the last couple days, a music store owner in Detroit shot at a guy in his store he thought was trying to rob him. He missed the robber, the round went thru the store front window and killed a pedestrian outside the store............

Facts will eventually be determined but here's a case where an innocent bystander WAS killed

Detroit music store owner's stray bullet hits man outside

39 posted on 05/31/2014 11:55:03 AM PDT by Hot Tabasco (By now, everyone should know that you shoot a zombie in the head. Don't try to reason with them...)
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To: Wyrd bið ful aræd

Warning shots are a waste of ammo you might need when they decide to ignore your warning, not to mention you’ve got no idea where that bullet is going. Verbal warnings are fine, warning shots are just plain stupid always.


40 posted on 05/31/2014 11:57:25 AM PDT by discostu (Seriously, do we no longer do "phrasing"?!)
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