From: gt4458c@prism.gatech.edu (John Stephens Cronin)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: Get Out vs. Freeze ( was: Re: Bad tactical position)
Date: 19 Nov 92 15:09:43 GMT
Organization: Common Container Liberation Front


In article <1992Nov17.030910.8089@michael.apple.com> ems@michael.apple.com (E. Michael Smith) writes:
#In article <199211170051.AA12286@cherokee.advtech.uswest.com> kdlin@advtech.uswest.com (David Lin) writes:
##In article <1992Nov16.112309.1032@email.tuwien.ac.at> holger@vmars.tuwien.ac.at (Holger Reusch (Dipl. Gerhard + Joe)) writes:
###....
###IMHO, the best course of action is to leave  a  suspect  a  clear
###possibility  to  escape.  If I found somebody inside my flat, I'd
###yell "GET OUT  HERE  OR  I  SHOOT  YOU!  OUT  NOW!",  instead  of
###"FREEZE!" or something similar.
##
##This looks like a very good idea to me. How come I'd never thought
##of that? ;) I've never seen/heard people using that either.
##Are there any drawbacks of using this method?
#
#While this is a very tempting option ... I can't help thinking
#that it invites the person to 1)  Move.  2) Turn away from you
#so you can't see their hands/inside their coat.  3)  Come back 
#later for revenge.
#
##1 is a problem, since a person in motion can do a lot more than one at
#rest.  #2 is a problem since they can grab a hidden weapon and use it
#while shielding it from your view with their body.  #3, well, you know...

Well, as usual, there is more than one side to this.  First of all, we have
covered how difficult it could be to keep someone in your home and subdued
untill the police get there.  So, it seems to me that the best thing to do
first of all is to MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD TACTICAL POSITION, ie cover
and/or concealment, and away from windows and unlocked doors in case the
intruder has a friend.  Next call the cops (or have someone else do it, if
possible).  With the first, hopefully the intruder is in a worse tactical
position (ie exposed in e open).  With the next, time is on your side
(ie the cavalry is on the way - though if it is like around here it could
take them 20 minutes to show up).

How does this affect your arguments or problems?  In the case of 1, hopefully
he is leaving.  If he does try something, you already have a gun drawn and
ready, you have almost certainly trained more with yours than he has with
his (right? - how often does the average thug go to a range?), and you are
presenting a small target, especially compared to the one he is presenting.
This should allow you to prevail in scenarios 1 and 2.  As for scenario 3,
is he more likely to come back for revenge if you just let him go and call
the cops, or if you hold him there for the cops?  I would submit that the
chance of him (or her) coming back is remote compared to the chance you
will be involved in a VERY expensive and time consuming criminal and/or
civil legal battle if the shooting is even remotely questionable.  Hell,
even if the shooting is completely justified you may still have the legal
battles.  Most criminals are not going to come back for revenge; they are
going to leave, not come back, and tell their friends.  While I would
probably try to hold them for the police, I would accept flight without
shooting.

-- 
John Cronin	Internet: gt4458c@prism.gatech.edu	Phone: (404) 876-1419
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Live each day as if it's your last.  One day you'll be right.  -- me
Lighten up, you're gonna die whether you have fun or not.      -- me again