Shooting someone in the back

[Firefighterchen]

It has come up twice this week. One view point claimed it is morally wrong to shoot someone in the back.

Walt629 (sorry if you were going to post this thread) asked, "is it ok to shoot a bg in the back?"

I googled and read through some other forums what their consensus was, and like everything, it's split between members and between state's laws.

What do you guys think?

This might help guide the discussion.

Situation:
1. The bad guy is killing people.
2. The bad guy just busted into the store waving a shotgun.
3. The bad guy just broke through the door into your home.

[pafindr]

Lets think of it this way.
An attacker gets past you and is about to beat your child with a baseball bat. Will you ask him to turn around so you can shoot him in the front?
Or is it morally right to let him beat your child with a baseball bat instead of shooting him in the back?

Yes it's ok to shot an attacker in the back IF he is going to continue attacking others. IF he is turning to end his attack and run away then no it is not ok to shoot him in the back.

Of course YMMV depending on your state laws but if my family is about to get attacked I don't care about state law I'm going to protect my family.

[Phillip Gain]

OBVIOUSLY if the bad guy is displaying a weapon with the intention of committing an act of violence, you are justified in using deadly force, no matter which way he happens to be facing.

You're really asking this? After being a member here almost a year? Either you're trying to stir up an argument...or you really need to sign up for a course that covers when deadly force is and is not justified.

[Danmc]

I guess I jumped to conclusions with my "no it's morally wrong" vote. If the BG is retreating after robbing you, then let him run. But if shooting the BG in the back is what is needed to stop the threat, then by all means do what is necessary.

[Deserteagle]

Depends on if he is retreating and his back is turned to me which equals murder.
Or if he is actively killing people and his back is turned to me, then maybe.

[localgirl]

Yeah, actually, if I have the time and ability, I would frankly prefer to be able to approach from behind and get close enough so I could be sure I wouldn't miss, then shoot someone in the back. It's not wrong if he's actively shooting or threatening people. It's wrong if he's fleeing the scene. To stop a serious, active threat, it doesn't matter where and how you shoot.

[Firefighterchen]

OBVIOUSLY if the bad guy is displaying a weapon with the intention of committing an act of violence, you are justified in using deadly force, no matter which way he happens to be facing.

You're really asking this? After being a member here almost a year? Either you're trying to stir up an argument...or you really need to sign up for a course that covers when deadly force is and is not justified.

OBVIOUSLY if the answer was so OBVIOUS other members wouldn't ask such an OBVIOUSLY stupid question?

I answered, what my mindset is, in the other posts, but like Walt posted, the topic is worth its own thread. If you don't want to be helpful, I'm sure navy has posted somewhere you can go argue about.

For the rest of the members, new and old, speak your mind, hopefully others won't be as rude, and we can all learn something new.

[Wyldekard]

1. Yes

2. Within the strict confines of the information given for the scenerio, No.

3. Under the current law in my state of residence I have to officially say no. Would I recommend a BG do it as a way of maintaining his good health? No I would not.

[kelcarry]

No imminent threat to you (or others under alter ego rule), you can shoot anyone in the back as long as you understand that you will be committing a felony. I am sure there are states where imminent threat goes so far as to include stealing your valuables and running away--don't understand it but it is what it is. In SC, based on an old law, if you are affecting a citizens arrest (only at night), you can use deadly force to stop the BG from evading your arrest command--ie: you can shoot him in the back. Outside of the above, I would appreciate it if someone could tell me how they can actually defend legally shooting someone in the back.

[Bighouse Doc]

Old cowboy macho bs!

If you can justify pulling the trigger, it doesn't matter where you hit!

-Doc