Shooting in self defense....

[Gun4fun]

I'm new to CCW, about few months away from my CHL class and few more months before getting my CHL permit....So I have a question for you, guys...Let's say someone will try to take mine or my family and friends life(either by gun, knife ...) and I'd have to shoot that person to survive, does it matter if I just shoot him once vs. unloading my whole mag??..Wouldn't that be considered "unnecessary" or "overkill"(not that it would matter to me!)...Is there any difference between killing somebody in self defense at home or in public??..Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with this matter!

[Kalamity023]

Troll??... Definitely trolling on that one... But in case you're not... Read your local laws... Most state that you're justified in using a "reasonable force" to stop the threat... Interpret that how you want...

[Nightmare45]

Troll??... Definitely trolling on that one... But in case you're not... Read your local laws... Most state that you're justified in using a "reasonable force" to stop the threat... Interpret that how you want...

I like that, spend a little time reading state laws and when you go for Texas CHL pay attention.

[rdm6680]

Damn, deserteagle's mom must have revoked his internet privileges. Someone beat him to the punch.

[Caribou]

Read all your State laws regarding self defense and concealed carry before your CC class. This will give you an opportunity to get answers for the parts your not clear on.

As far as the number of rounds fired my read on that is this. I would never shoot to kill. I would shoot to stop. I would continue shooting till the threatening action ended. If death occurred that would be a side effect. I would shoot for center mass as that is most likely to stop the criminal the fastest and I would be less likely to miss and hit something behind my target.

[aj's 40 cal]

here is hoping you are a legit normal person, you shoot to stop your threat, no matter how many rounds it takes, you dont shoot to kill or wound. STOP THE THREAT. an idea for you..... read everything on the local and state laws in texas then go to your calss and ask as many questions as you can if your unsure, but please dont be wasting everyones time if you just want your permit so you can act like rambo, we dont need more of you here.

good luck to you!

[mappow]

STOPPING THE THREAT! Is that one round, five rounds? After your research on your State Laws, I would practice shooting in two shot volleys. Mind you, that was the way I was instructed some thirty years ago and that's way I still practice today. Two rounds DC mass, evaluate and repeat if necessary. IF I see that the first two rounds are just boring through the target and or NOT stopping the threat, I would repeat as necessary until I thought the threat is neutralized. Again, my opinion and my training. Others on this site will advise differently due to their past training and opinion. (some more then others)

[Gun4fun]

Thanks for your replies....I moved to Texas only a few months ago so the whole thing about CCW is new to me...I can read what the laws and books say (and will surely read it all!), but wanted to get some personal opinion...We all know what the 2nd Amendment is and what it says, but we also know that applying it in real life could (and does!) vary....So I apologize if I offended somebody or wasted somebody's time, I just wanted to be a "step ahead"...

[MamaLiberty]

Gun4fun, here's hoping you are not a troll, but just a young person starting out in self defense.

Take it from an old hand. Get as much serious instruction as possible, and do a LOT of training and dry fire on your own before you even think about starting to carry. That in addition to knowing all the "laws" in your area, frontwards and backwards. And remember that the "law" is only part of it. Learn how your local cops interpret that law, and what you can expect from them in an emergency. Practice various scenarios, both physically and mentally until you have made up your mind quite well what you SHOULD and COULD do in most situations. You have to know beforehand because you will not have the time to consider all the variables to make those decisions once someone is trying to kill you. Been there... done that.

When you are truly comfortable with your weapon, and have a really good idea what you might need to do with it, then you can consider starting to carry. Until then, you may be a real danger to yourself and others.

Just my 2 cents worth...

[The_Outlaw]

I'm new to CCW, about few months away from my CHL class and few more months before getting my CHL permit....So I have a question for you, guys...Let's say someone will try to take mine or my family and friends life(either by gun, knife ...) and I'd have to shoot that person to survive, does it matter if I just shoot him once vs. unloading my whole mag??..Wouldn't that be considered "unnecessary" or "overkill"(not that it would matter to me!)...Is there any difference between killing somebody in self defense at home or in public??..Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with this matter!

Never draw your sidearm unless it's absolutely necessary.
You are never supposed to shoot 'to kill'.
You must only shoot 'to stop the immediate threat'
If you must shoot, always aim at 'center mass' of the threat.
Once the threat has been stopped, "CEASE FIRE IMMEDIATLY".
Then be prepared to call your lawyer.
(If you don't have a lawyer yet, GET ONE a.s.a.p).

~Good luck & stay safe~