Quote:
Originally Posted by noonereal
So cowboys with guns can act like punks and we had better do as they say? If we resist they can kill us?
Chas, I love ya and even more important I respect ya but that is no way to live.
You basically are insisting that I carry a gun also to create a level playing field.
If the kid had a gun and RIGHTFULLY felt threatened and killed Zim for following him and making him feel threatened would that have been alright with you?
If the kid had a CC permit and did kill Zim no one would have questioned it but because the kid did not have a gun, he is dead.
I don't mind you having your guns, I don't want to live in a country where I am required to carry one to have a chance.
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Concealed carry laws and the so called SYG laws are two different things.
I can't speak for everywhere, but the way it was explained to me, the Missouri SYG law doesn't give you the right to kill someone if you feel threatened, but a defense should you do so.
In other words, it is legal to use deadly force if you are actually in danger of your life or great bodily harm. Provided a reasonable person would perceive the situation as you. Basically, all the law does is to protect you from legal and civil proceedings if you did act in a reasonable manner.
If you're being attacked with a butcher knife, you will most likely be no billed. If someone threatens to kick your ass and you kill them for that alone, you will most likely be going to court...and lose.
The laws are ambiguous and discretionary. And I would be quicker to walk away from an argument if I were armed than I would if I weren't.
And as it was explained to me as well, once you pull that hogleg you have now given your adversary the same "fear of his life" that you currently have.
In other words, you pretty much have to be in dire straights before you can use lethal force. And once again, I was instructed that if you can walk away, or even run away, you'll be better off than becoming involved in a shooting...even if you win. Killing another human isn't something that the vast majority of people will react to well, even if it was necessary.
Personally, I think the biggest divide that people have over these laws are a misconception as to what they actually say. They aren't "big iron on your hip" laws, or "make my day" laws, and they won't turn the United States into "Dodge City"...besides...in the big cities we're already there.
They simply allow law abiding citizens to defend themselves, provided they act in a manner considered reasonable by their peers. And provided they can pass a background check...and there is a background check.
The laws do not require that you carry a gun, they ALLOW you to carry a gun. Whether you wish to do so depends entirely on you.
After all, we have myriad laws forbidding criminals from from not only carrying, but even possessing firearms...and that doesn't seem to slow them down.
I hope I've explained myself in a reasonable manner.
Take care,
Chas