Putting your handgun to use in a real life situation

[gamer]

I've heard many stories of Police officers going their whole career without ever having to fire their sidearm. So I'm curious how this pertains to many of us. Have you ever had to use your sidearm in a real life dangerous situation to save yourself or somebody else? Did it occur at your home or out in public? Please share

 

[cbseniour]

Never having to use a sidearm is the most hoped for outcome. Not having it when you need it is the worst of all outcomes. I know one Plainfield LEO who has exchanged fire with bad guys on 2 occassions. I now others who have never drawn their guns. Just keep it handy and hope for the best. By the way having a sidearm on you whether open or concealed will reduce the lilelyhood of ever needing it. Bad guys don't pick on armed citizens they look for the weak and helpless.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

There are a few members that have, police, military, and civilian, who've used a sidearm in "real world" events. The vast majority will carry without ever having to fire a shot, though.

 

[Archer]

FYI, that's not the sort of thing most people jump on the internet and share. I know a few guys that have had experiences, be it in the military, LE, or civilian. They aren't typically big on talking about it.

 

[gamer]

FYI, that's not the sort of thing most people jump on the internet and share.

I wasn't trying to get all the nitty gritty details. I just read a lot of stories nationally about robberies prevented because of a local civilian happened to be carrying and became a hero for doing so. My curiosity lies in if this sort of thing has happened closer to home here in Indiana. Plus there are plenty of people who have done a good deed that deserve to be recognized.

 

[cosermann]

I've heard many stories of Police officers going their whole career without ever having to fire their sidearm. ... Have you ever had to use your sidearm in a real life dangerous situation to save yourself or somebody else? ...

Just to clarify, not having to "fire" your firearm, and not having to "use" your firearm are two different things. One can use their firearm without necessarily firing it.

 

[minuteman32]

Yes.
Once against two legged predators, a couple of times against 4 legged. None as an LEO.

 

[gglass]

There are a few members that have, police, military, and civilian, who've used a sidearm in "real world" events. The vast majority will carry without ever having to fire a shot, though.

The way God intended, and the founders too.

 

[ghostinthewood]

I'm a civilian. I've had to drawn on a very aggressive armed attacker. Luckily I kept distance and he knew I was in control. He looked away for a moment and I called the police with my free hand. He ran, i holstered without a shot fired and no damage sustained save maybe some bruises from a scuffle earlier (in which I stopped short of drawing a blade).

Whole situation was sticky but I did everything right from a legal standpoint. Police came and were very professional and nothing negative ever happened to me because of it.

I trained before, but after that I took it a lot more seriously. Made me reevaluate some gear, how I carry things, and what I dont carry. Made me glad for classroom training and range training I had. It made my gun-leery family change their mind on me carrying a gun everywhere, every day as well.

 

[cosermann]

^^^ Exhibit A of using a gun without firing it.

 

[Mike Elzinga]

I met an old boy in KY that was a LEO for many years, had been shot numerous times himself as well as returned fire successfully. Old joke was that no one ever offered him a bottle of water because he had been shot so many times he would still leak. I do recall overhearing him saying that the worst feeling he ever had was when his slide locked back on his last magazine.

 

[ghostinthewood]

^^^ Exhibit A of using a gun without firing it.

Trust me, if it were any other circumstance or if he moved passed the "imaginary line" i drew in the sand, it wouldve been a very different outcome.

Another reason why training is important. Some people forget details and things happen really quickly for them in stress situations, others think time moves slow and they're able to process a lot of information in a short period of time. Training makes people more likely to be the latter. Situational awareness was a more effective tool than my handgun.

 

[Bfish]

^^ I don't think this is directed at you, he's just getting at is how just because you draw your firearm doesn't mean you use it. Guns have saved many lives without firing a shot.

 

[9mmfan]

I had to draw on someone once while doing a security gig years ago (not a LEO). Guy was coming at me with a tire iron. He stopped and retreated so I re-holstered.

 

[Nam1911]

I'm 26 and I had an experience two years ago. Girlfriend at the time had a crazy ex who decided to break in the window "to talk". I led her to the bedroom, locked the door, and held the door handle. He got to the other side of the door. I could have shot him right there. I chose not to riddle him with 45acp jhps.

I was full of adrenaline with 1000 thoughts. My focus was if he tried to break the door down before LEO I would shoot. I really can't explain the full feeling but I am glad I did not have to kill him.

 

[45 LongColt]

About 30 years ago I worked armed security in a factory that only had first shift employees. I worked 3rd shift and carried a 38sp. The guy working 2nd shift carried a 22. One evening on 2nd shift a guy broke in and was robbing a vending machine. The security caught him, and the guy came at him with a hammer. The security guy had to shoot him 5 times before it stopped the thief, he lived. A little later and I would have had to shoot him with a 38sp. I hated the thought that I may have had to kill a guy for breaking in to a damn vending machine.

 

[Thor]

I met an old boy in KY that was a LEO for many years, had been shot numerous times himself as well as returned fire successfully. Old joke was that no one ever offered him a bottle of water because he had been shot so many times he would still leak. I do recall overhearing him saying that the worst feeling he ever had was when his slide locked back on his last magazine.

He was from KY...it would only be appropriate to offer him whisky.

 

[bwframe]

A big part of self defense training is awareness and avoidance. Different from gun handling and marksmanship, yet often taught in the same courses by sharp well-rounded instructors.

 

[indiucky]

He was from KY...it would only be appropriate to offer him Bourbon.

FIFY

 

[Dale1320]

I will be perfectly happy if I never in my life have to point any firearm at another human being, let alone be put into a position of having to pull the trigger.