Let's say that you live in a rough part of your neighborhood and you walk around with a gun for your own protection. One night, you walk into a convenience store and it's just you and the clerk in the store. you go to a back shelf to get a bag of potato chips, suddenly, a robber comes in with a revolver he tells the clerk that he has 10 seconds to fill up a bag with money or else he'll shoot him. Luckily, the robber did not see you. 10 seconds go by and the impatient robber pulls the hammer of the revolver down and aims it at the clerk's head, you take out your own gun and shoot the robber from behind. Although you didn't mean to, you shot the robber dead. You wouldn't be charged with any crime right? Since the robber was an immidiete threat to the clerk's life.
2007-08-23 15:39:52 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I didn't do this btw. I'm just curious.
2007-08-23 15:48:36 · update #1
oh and yes, what if you do have a permit and the gun is legally yours.
2007-08-23 15:50:26 · update #2
You probably would not be charged in that circumstance (provided you legally possessed the firearm, i.e. proper concealed carry permit, the gun legally belongs to you, etc.)
But there is no such thing as shooting to wound. If you aim a gun at someone and pull the trigger, you better be prepared to end their life...
2007-08-23 15:44:53 · answer #1 · answered by Citicop 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would be grossly irresponsible of you to shoot someone that has a loaded firearm pointed directly at someone else. The robber could squeeze off a round reflexively as he is hit with a round from your gun, killing or maiming the clerk.
The more likely scenario is that there would be two people dead at the scene, the robber and the clerk - and the clerk's blood would be on your hands.
If you plan on carrying a concealed weapon (presumably legally) you need to take a course in defensive firearms training so that you know what to do in situations like that.
It's one thing to play the hero and gun down the bad guy, it is quite another to put innocent people in mortal danger by your actions.
2007-08-23 22:54:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what bullets are you using, you hit is head, was it FMJ or JHP. You just shot the store owner too. Where there other alternitves, less lethal? Could you have thrown a can at him. How do you know the gun is loaded, or it isnt an airsoft gun? Before resorting to lethal force, you must exhaust all other options. You shot this man in the back, Did you say anything like, STOP I have a gun!! Why didn't you mace him. Sure you may not go to jail, but what about the civil case. If i were you I would pick up Combat handgun they have a myths and truths section and it is very informative.
2007-08-23 22:53:13 · answer #3 · answered by Adam P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you did not have a legal right to posess the gun in question, depending on the laws of your state and city, you could be charged with a weapons crime, but not with murder or even manslaughter. Carrying without a permit, or carrying a concealed weapon.
2007-08-23 22:44:25 · answer #4 · answered by rhea b 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes you would be charged in most states. However, can be a defense to the charge that you acted in the defense of another in immediate danger of death. I say it is a defense, it is not automatic. There are many factors that need to be considered.
If you did this, call a local attorney asap.
2007-08-23 22:46:45 · answer #5 · answered by hensleyclaw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are not allowed to carry a weapon into a convenience with out a concealed to carry permit,doubt you would be charged. The lady who did not have her weapon at Luby's could have saved a lot of lives, my opinion only.Maybe you are not aware of the tradgety at Luby's.
2007-08-23 22:51:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
acording to the law in many states you were not the one being threatend so you had no right but if you had a permit for it conceald (if it was hidden) most will let you off with a slap on the wrist for its bad publicity to put someone in jail for saveing anouthers life or at least i hope ppl arnt that stupid nowadays.......
2007-08-23 22:45:30 · answer #7 · answered by kenn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like justifiable homicide to me.
If you're carrying a gun, you must have a concealed weapons permit. Whether you're charged with shooting him or not, if you aren't licensed, they're gonna stick it to you.
2007-08-23 22:43:33 · answer #8 · answered by YES, I use correct grammar! 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the robber needs to be an immediate threat to you for you to shoot
2007-08-23 22:46:21 · answer #9 · answered by Mopar Muscle Gal 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you might have to go to a civil case but i seriously doubt that you'd be convicted of any crime there as you were saving a life.
good samaritan law or self defense, maybe???
2007-08-23 22:43:44 · answer #10 · answered by qwerty3454 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋