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I'm still in the process of getting my CCW, so I'm thinking through how to respond in the event that I ever am in a situation where I may need to draw my firearm. There's a lot going on here, so I'll try to think through what I might have done (or how I would hope to respond) in such a situation. Here are some of my thoughts.
1. I would try to avoid situations where I would ever need to use my firearm. That means I would stay away from protests that have a potential to become violent. (Not victim blaming...just thinking that it's the responsible thing to do if you're carrying a lethal weapon).
2. I couldn't see what was in front of him, but if he had a clear exit, he should have taken it. At the point he exited the vehicle he put himself in a situation where a confrontation was more likely. And as far as I could tell, it was only property damage at that point, and no property damage is worth a human life. That's what insurance is for. Get out and make a police report and live another day.
3. After exiting, he was not aggressive. He appeared to be assessing the damage to his vehicle (which was being further damaged). He did not draw in response to the property damage. At the point he was sprayed with mace and being approached by the crowd, it would be reasonable to be in fear for his life or safety. I think that drawing it and having it in a low ready was warranted. His shout to stay away was appropriate and moving back to the driver's side of his truck indicated he was looking to leave.
4. It's never a good idea to turn your back on the crowd, so negative points there.
5. He dropped the weapon when the police instructed him to, although the way he extended his arm to put it in the back of his truck could have been misconstrued given the angle from which the officer approached him.
6. His compliance after the fact was exemplary. He didn't argue or plead his case while the officer was trying to establish order. Better to comply and wait your turn in that situation.
Any other thoughts?
1. I would try to avoid situations where I would ever need to use my firearm. That means I would stay away from protests that have a potential to become violent. (Not victim blaming...just thinking that it's the responsible thing to do if you're carrying a lethal weapon).
2. I couldn't see what was in front of him, but if he had a clear exit, he should have taken it. At the point he exited the vehicle he put himself in a situation where a confrontation was more likely. And as far as I could tell, it was only property damage at that point, and no property damage is worth a human life. That's what insurance is for. Get out and make a police report and live another day.
3. After exiting, he was not aggressive. He appeared to be assessing the damage to his vehicle (which was being further damaged). He did not draw in response to the property damage. At the point he was sprayed with mace and being approached by the crowd, it would be reasonable to be in fear for his life or safety. I think that drawing it and having it in a low ready was warranted. His shout to stay away was appropriate and moving back to the driver's side of his truck indicated he was looking to leave.
4. It's never a good idea to turn your back on the crowd, so negative points there.
5. He dropped the weapon when the police instructed him to, although the way he extended his arm to put it in the back of his truck could have been misconstrued given the angle from which the officer approached him.
6. His compliance after the fact was exemplary. He didn't argue or plead his case while the officer was trying to establish order. Better to comply and wait your turn in that situation.
Any other thoughts?
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