Would you hesitate to use deadly force against a child?

[DrakeZ07]

Yep, does appear a good place to live.....but we carry for hoped for never needed reasons.

http://www.bestplaces.net/crime/zip-code/kentucky/salt_lick/40371

That site should probably add to the list, drug-users. There's a reason Salt Lick is amongst some of the smaller communities that make up 'meth alley' in the greater Eastern KY area. I just hope our friend is aware of the reputation of that lil map dot, and has taken precuations to defend himself, and his own. A child of any age, with a weapon is dangerous, but a child of any age, with a weapon, and found mommy and daddy's stash, is an unparalleled threat.

 

[chmcke01]

Everywhere

That site should probably add to the list, drug-users. There's a reason Salt Lick is amongst some of the smaller communities that make up 'meth alley' in the greater Eastern KY area. I just hope our friend is aware of the reputation of that lil map dot, and has taken precuations to defend himself, and his own. A child of any age, with a weapon is dangerous, but a child of any age, with a weapon, and found mommy and daddy's stash, is an unparalleled threat.

Drug users are everywhere these days, just not everyone knows where to look. What concerns me most is that almost everyone does know where the drug dealers are...if it is common knowledge then why are they still able to operate?

That said, I do have precautions in place to protect myself and my family. I just had my CCDW application approved and am supposed to be able to pick it up in about 2 weeks. I occasionally open carry but rarely because my only pistol right now is a full sized Ruger pistol that is pretty heavy to be carrying around all day.

I am mostly looking at the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard which I can get for about $275 new plus tax at Buds Gun Shop or for about $309 plus tax at Buds I can get the Law Enforcement version of the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm, but I have to wait for that to come back in stock. Funds are low right now and the wife isn't super supportive of buying another gun right now so I will likely just be keeping my eye open for the next few months for a good deal on a used carry pistol.

 

[DrakeZ07]

Drug users are everywhere these days, just not everyone knows where to look. What concerns me most is that almost everyone does know where the drug dealers are...if it is common knowledge then why are they still able to operate?

That said, I do have precautions in place to protect myself and my family. I just had my CCDW application approved and am supposed to be able to pick it up in about 2 weeks. I occasionally open carry but rarely because my only pistol right now is a full sized Ruger pistol that is pretty heavy to be carrying around all day.

I am mostly looking at the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard which I can get for about $275 new plus tax at Buds Gun Shop or for about $309 plus tax at Buds I can get the Law Enforcement version of the Smith & Wesson M&P Shield 9mm, but I have to wait for that to come back in stock. Funds are low right now and the wife isn't super supportive of buying another gun right now so I will likely just be keeping my eye open for the next few months for a good deal on a used carry pistol.

Might I suggest you consider another brand of firearm? I always get crap for promoting them, but Hi-Point makes some pretty good pistols of various sizes, and calibers that can function as both a good CC, and OC platform, are relatively inexpensive, with the .45 JHP full size running about 180$, and they come with a life-time warranty that follows the pistol, instead of the owner. If something every breaks, or malfunctions, you can send the pistol to the Hi-Point factory [call them first], and they'll replace the item for no cost to you, and if its a big break, they'll just send you a new pistol. When I accidentally broke off the safety switch on my .40cal, I sent it in and they replaced the switch, and replaced the slide that was scuffed up, for free, with no questions asked. They are hard to break, easy to maintain, and just as precise as any other firearm of the same size and caliber.

Used to OC my hi-point whereever and whenever I left my home, not that heavy, kinda bulky but its a good starter, or a good EDC pistol that you don't have to cry about getting a scratch or a scuff in/on it. Of course I have since switched to using a Cap n' Ball revolver as my EDC, but that's just personal preference.

 

[deepdiver]

I've been mulling over this question for a while before replying. And I think that yes, realistically, I would likely hesitate.

First we have to define "child" though. To me, "child" means someone pre-pubescent, not a "child" as the antis use it meaning someone as old as early 20s.

So why would I hesitate? Same reason I have given in saying that I would be more hesitant shooting a dog than a bad guy. Mens rea. Obviously we are speaking in general terms here, not about some blood streaked 11 year old mesomorph who looks like an enlarged "Chucky". Also, there are differences in the sort of threat. If I just saw the child shoot someone purposefully, then a threat is a threat. But if a child just points a gun at me, even if saying its a robbery, then yes, I think I am going to hesitate to try to determine if it is a real gun and ensure that it is a real threat and not just some dumb kid pulling a very dangerous, potentially lethal (for him) prank.

By the time a human is obviously teen aged I expect him/her to know and comprehend the potential lethal risk of threatening with anything that could be reasonably construed as a real firearm. If not, that is on Darwin, not me. However, a younger kid may not yet have that developed sense. A 10-11-12 year old may not have that cognitive reach to have thought through the implications. By the same reasoning, I also would be hesitant to use deadly force in a similar scenario against someone with Down's Syndrome for example.

I think those who have actually faced combat and self-defense situations have well established for us all that one does not know what one will do when actually faced with a lethal threat but that doesn't negate the validity of thinking about such things as the mental exercise can be as valuable as the range time. In that vein, I'll admit that I had never thought about this particular question before. I look forward to reading more responses and will certainly be mulling through scenarios about this for a while.

 

[Citizen]

@ Deepdiver

Hello!! Glad to see you popping in! Was afraid you'd gone the same route as Hawkflyer.

 

[deepdiver]

Hello!! Glad to see you popping in! Was afraid you'd gone the same route as Hawkflyer.

Thanks for noticing.
I mostly lurk anymore. No time to get back on or stay on top 10 posters list. LOL
I post occasionally when a thread, like this one, catches my eye.