The police I knew used to tell me to save the last round and shoot it into the ceiling. They said the investigator couldn't tell which was the first and the last, and you just tell them it was a warning shot.
The police I knew used to tell me to save the last round and shoot it into the ceiling. They said the investigator couldn't tell which was the first and the last, and you just tell them it was a warning shot.
I'd never shoot into the ceiling. I'm liable to hit my mother-in-law in the attic.
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Last edited by Brother Bob; 04-27-2012 at 02:23 PM.
The police I knew used to tell me to save the last round and shoot it into the ceiling. They said the investigator couldn't tell which was the first and the last, and you just tell them it was a warning shot.
"Sorry Officer, but my warning shot hit him in the chest."
I guess that works! "Officer, I fired six warning shots, and he jumped in front of all six!" I think that might give the court something to ponder, if you fired a warning round. They might see it as being in control of the situation, instead of you being in fear of your life. If I have to draw my sidearm, it will be because I AM in fear of my life, and not to fire the warning shot! Just something to think about.
Way back in college, I had the privilege of taking a hand to hand combat course under the tutelage of one Joe Begala, who was the instructor of USMC combat instructors when he was in the service in WWII, taught various police combat courses, and was a premier wrestling coach at the college level (Kent State) during the late 60's.
He told of an incident (many years before modern times mind you) where he was stopped for speeding by a young rookie officer, who came up to the car with gun drawn and stood by Joe's door, demanding his license etc. Joe responded by vigorously chewing the kid out, asking if he intended to shoot him with that thing, and if not to put it away. After telling the youngster what his qualifications were, and that he had trained more officers than the kid had even seen in his young life, he then explained to the kid that he would accept his speeding ticket like a gentleman IF the kid would promise not to pull his sidearm unless he intended to use it, and if not he would be filing charges with his superiors for unnecessary use of force. And, incidentally, Joe knew the kids superiors personally. A sidearm, said Joe, is not something be used as a threat. It is ONLY for those circumstances when it must be employed to shoot someone rather than being something to be waved about to make the wielder look more important or intimidating.
Whether you think Joe's story may have stretched some between the incident and his telling of it in the 60's doesn't matter. What does matter is that I like his philosophy about the gun and weapons in general. If you need it, use it. If you aren't intending to use it right then, put it away. A.D.s happen only when someone is/was holding the gun.
Any of you LEOs out there can attest to the antiquated and dangerous methods used by that young officer back in the 50's. The Ohio State Patrol now approaches cars on the curb side, not only to get a better view inside the car and be away from the drivers door, but to reduce their risk of being struck by idiot drivers, despite all the flashing lights and arrows on their cruisers when making a stop.
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