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So I am going to write a scene in which the protagonist must kill an assailant, but doesn't and gets the shit beat out of her.
I've legally carried a lot in my life and there was never any doubt I would use it. Now, I am in a very different place and doubt that I would kill if the threat was to me. Defending someone else is sort of a no brainer, however. Of course then you have to think what you would do if you came upon a guy beating a woman and when you shoot him, she is pissed at you.
The answer may be that you would not shoot anyone at any time no matter the circumstances.
Gwendolyn
Comments
Cultural difference in attitidue
I have noticed marked difference towards "justifiable" homicide between different cultures. One of the most pronounced differences must between UK and US. The attitude towards guns is entirely different and with that comes an entirely different attitude towards justifiable/self defense homicide. In UK most patrol and detective police do not carry lethal weapons. The rate of homicide is markedly lower and the attitude of courts and society is markedly different towards justifiable or self defense homicide.
In UK and Australia clobbering an intruder (even an armed one) with a cricket bat is likely to land you in court for GBH.
Not All Black and White
The cultural attitude toward self defense is not as easily defined as some may think here in the U.S.
A person assaulted by thug in New York City who defended him or herself would be questioned by police as to why they raised their hand against a poor, socially misunderstood and economically deprived member of a down trodden element of the community, after which the DA would file charges.
In Texas people would wonder why the person who was assaulted didn't empty the magazine of their concealed carried piece into the little shit.
To make my point, one only has to follow the stories related to the motorist who was assailed by a motorcycle gang recently in New York City. The victim is facing charges and will probably be sued.
As for me, I'm for Texas. It is, after all, so much easier to justify your actions to twelve of you peers than the six people carrying your casket.
Nancy Cole
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
Well SHOOT!
Those Texans sure have the right idea. When can little old me haul my fine self down there?
Old School
I kinda liked the Old School Defense in Texas, "Sumbitch just needed killing." Case dismissed.
But nowadays there are just too many of those "sumbitches and congress critters. We'd run out of land to plant them. OH Well.
Joani
I think you are incorrect about the NYC incident.
I think you are incorrect about the NYC incident. In the case of the SUV motorcycle attack the victim may be subject to arrest if something turns up but so far only the motorcycle attackers have been arrested. Here is a headline from the NY Times 'Fourth Motorcyclist Is Charged in Attack on Driver of S.U.V.'
If you have ever watched the various Law and Order shows you should know that cops don't sympathize with criminal no matter how socially deprived. They don't like others to use guns but the SUV driver didn't use a gun. New Yorkers aren't against self defense. They are against hand guns. Why don't you find out the facts instead of listening to what appears to be the Fox News version.
A minor problem with grammar.
A minor problem with grammar. Since 'legal carry' is a single phrase with a specific meaning, the past tense is only applied to the entire phrase i.e. 'legal carried',
Your sentence should have been either:
'I've legally carried a gun a lot'
or:
'I've legal carried a lot'
as it's written it isn't immediately clear what you carried.
OMG!!!
INH is brave, correcting the grammer of someone carrying a gun! LOL!
(especially when that someone is Gwen!)
Use of Discretion
If I shot everyone who corrected my spelling, there'd be no one left to post stories here on BigCloset.
Nancy Cole,
a.k.a. HW Coyle
"You may be what you resolve to be."
T.J. Jackson
Self Defense
If it is either them or me I am going to do everything in my power to make sure it is them. I won't start out to kill them but if that is my only option to keep from being killed so be it. I was taught and to this day believe there is no such thing as a fair fight and the only important thing is surviving a fight. You do what ever it takes to make sure you survive and come out of the fight as best you can. If that means using a gun to protect yourself "So Be It".
PS I have been in a position where I had a gun and if the 2 would have come into my house I would have shot both and with a 12 guage shot gun with 00 shot I would have killed both. If you have never heard a shot gun pumped it is a very distinct sound and truly brings fear... I have never been as scared or as determined in my life on my resolve as that night.
Survive and live
SDom
Men should be Men and the rest should be as feminine as they can be
to carry or not to carry that is the question...
I carry!
I'm diabled, as such I could barely fight my way out of the proverbial 'wet paper bag' sooo....
I have permits to carry both in the US and in Europe (which isn't as easy).
My weapon of choice is a 9mm with stainless quintuple rounds ie five stainless steel pieces are emitted with each shot. A permit is required for these rounds as well. If the assailant is wearing a bullet-proof vest, these rounds will penetrate sufficiently to put him down. If he isn't wearing a vest then they will buzz around like a bee upon hitting bone. Either way he is down and out of commission.
I have had permits for over twenty years since I first began receiving death threats over some of my writings. I shall maintain my permits and continue to carry for so long as I live. End of story.
Anesidora
carrying?
It seems that everyone I concerned about whether or not to be carrying a concealed weapon. Notice I didn't specify a gun. Unfortunately I was taught how to take lives without using the six pound pull(trigger pull) however ,I prefer my reliable old 45 auto to anything else...Point of all this??? No one will deny me the right to defend my family anywhere...Period