Warning Shots: Ever justifiable?

[PewPewPewCo]

Is a warning shot ever justified? I think it shows a lack of true fear for life and safety, others think it's simply an option for those in fear of their life who would prefer to not take another life.


Disclaimer: Don't do them. You are not the police. Unless you are in fear of dying then don't pull your gun. If you get in an argument with your neighbor and ask him to get off your property and he wont, then call the cops, don't pull your gun.

 

[Willy Leadwell]

Never acceptable in my opinion. More dangerous than anything.

 

[NWS]

I intend to give someone two warning shots center mass if I ever have to pull my gun. If they still keep coming after those two warning shots, I will give them two more center mass.

 

[PewPewPewCo]

I intend to give someone two warning shots center mass if I ever have to pull my gun. If they still keep coming after those two warning shots, I will give them two more center mass.

you didn't answer the question.

 

[NWS]

you didn't answer the question.

If any bullets I fire in defense of myself go anywhere besides center mass, it will be because I missed.

 

[Willy Leadwell]

I intend to give someone two warning shots center mass if I ever have to pull my gun. If they still keep coming after those two warning shots, I will give them two more center mass.

You clearly haven't been trained on the effectiveness of the intermediate dick shot.

 

[Shemp]

no....I'm only going to skin this smokewagon if it is the absolute 100% last resort before imminent death of grave bodily harm.

 

[PewPewPewCo]

If any bullets I fire in defense of myself go anywhere besides center mass, it will be because I missed.

you still didn't answer. Is it EVER JUSTIFIED.

 

[Laufen]

Is a warning shot ever justified? I think it shows a lack of true fear for life and safety, others think it's simply an option for those in fear of their life who would prefer to not take another life.


Disclaimer: Don't do them. You are not the police. Unless you are in fear of dying then don't pull your gun. If you get in an argument with your neighbor and ask him to get off your property and he wont, then call the cops, don't pull your gun.

They are never acceptable. If you want to issue a warning, do it verbally.

 

[PewPewPewCo]

okay if a robber breaks into my house and i feel charitable and fire a warning shot into my ceiling, should i be prosecuted for the county ordinance of no firing a gun unless in self defense?

 

[Willy Leadwell]

okay if a robber breaks into my house and i feel charitable and fire a warning shot into my ceiling, should i be prosecuted for the county ordinance of no firing a gun unless in self defense?

Yes, because it isn't self defense unless the ceiling was the threat.

 

[NWS]

you still didn't answer. Is it EVER JUSTIFIED.

Yes. I scared a pit that was fighting with my dogs away from my fence one time by putting a 147gr HST into the dirt at my feet. It wasn't so much a warning shot, as it was a loud noise to scare him away. It worked.

I do not think doing such a thing against a human attacker would ever be justified. If I am pulling my gun, I should already have justification for deadly force.

 

[Laufen]

okay if a robber breaks into my house and i feel charitable and fire a warning shot into my ceiling, should i be prosecuted for the county ordinance of no firing a gun unless in self defense?

I'd say so. You drew, and discharged a weapon without meeting the criteria for lawful self-defense. If my life is in danger, I'm not offering charity.

 

[Shemp]

okay if a robber breaks into my house and i feel charitable and fire a warning shot into my ceiling, should i be prosecuted for the county ordinance of no firing a gun unless in self defense?

You better say it was nerves and not intentional...

 

[Laufen]

You better say it was nerves and not intentional...

He was cleaning it, and it went off.

 

[PewPewPewCo]

I'd say so. You drew, and discharged a weapon without meeting the criteria for lawful self-defense. If my life is in danger, I'm not offering charity.

if a robber is in your home, technically your life is in danger, but you think the warning shot proves that you didn't "believe" you were in fear of your life?

 

[NWS]

if a robber is in your home, technically your life is in danger, but you think the warning shot proves that you didn't "believe" you were in fear of your life?

Correct. If you felt a warning shot was needed, then you didn't feel like you were in jeopardy for immediate great bodily harm and or death.

 

[Willy Leadwell]

I think the only reason you would fire a warning shot is that you aren't prepared or willing to use deadly force. So I think the question becomes, should you carry or keep a gun for self defense if you aren't 100% certain that you can and will use deadly force should you find yourself in fear of your life or the life of another?

 

[Willy Leadwell]

Correct. If you felt a warning shot was needed, then you didn't feel like you were in jeopardy for immediate great bodily harm and or death.

I agree with this 100%.

 

[Laufen]

if a robber is in your home, technically your life is in danger, but you think the warning shot proves that you didn't "believe" you were in fear of your life?

I can't think of any other way to prove beyond a doubt that I felt like my life was in imminent danger than if I made the life changing decision to kill someone.

Tactically, a warning shot would be a terrible idea. You'd lose valuable time, your night vision, and become disoriented by the muzzle blast. Any advantage you may have had would now be lost.