Denny's customer shoots @ armed robbers

[zigzag]

Glad no one got hurt.

[alvins]

personally i wouldnt be shooting at them unless they threatened me. Now I probably would have pulled it and hidden ready to defend myself.

[mbw]

The channel 2 web page reports that the CHL holder was the only customer at the time of the robbery.


http://www.click2houston.com/news/Custo ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wonder who fired first? From the article it sounds like the customer fired the first shots.

[RoyGBiv]

The channel 2 web page reports that the CHL holder was the only customer at the time of the robbery.


http://www.click2houston.com/news/Custo ... index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I wonder who fired first? From the article it sounds like the customer fired the first shots.

If somebody is threatening you with deadly force, it's usually advisable to be the first to fire.

[Big Meg]

My wife was asking me what I would have done if I had been there. BTW, I normally carry my STI Trojan in 45 ACP and two extra mags (if I am wearing cargo shorts like I do most of the year, I sometimes carry two more magazines in my cargo pockets for a total of four extra mags). This time of year when I wear pants I also carry my LCP in an ankle holster with an extra mag. To be honest, I would be reluctant to do anything until I was convinced they were going to harm someone. I know it may be hard to tell since they can shoot someone in a split second, but I'm not taking the chance of hitting an innocent person unless I am forced to. I also realize I am not a police officer and I am not a superhero so I am not obliged to protect the world. There are just too many "what ifs" to sit here and say what I would have done. The first thing I would have done was to shield my family and draw my gun under the table. I guess it would be a stressful waiting game after that for a few seconds until I determined what to do. Maybe others think this is an easy decision, but for me it is a difficult call.

+1

[Oldgringo]

My wife was asking me what I would have done if I had been there. BTW, I normally carry my STI Trojan in 45 ACP and two extra mags (if I am wearing cargo shorts like I do most of the year, I sometimes carry two more magazines in my cargo pockets for a total of four extra mags). This time of year when I wear pants I also carry my LCP in an ankle holster with an extra mag. To be honest, I would be reluctant to do anything until I was convinced they were going to harm someone. I know it may be hard to tell since they can shoot someone in a split second, but I'm not taking the chance of hitting an innocent person unless I am forced to. I also realize I am not a police officer and I am not a superhero so I am not obliged to protect the world. There are just too many "what ifs" to sit here and say what I would have done. The first thing I would have done was to shield my family and draw my gun under the table. I guess it would be a stressful waiting game after that for a few seconds until I determined what to do. Maybe others think this is an easy decision, but for me it is a difficult call.

+1

Right answer! Give the man a cigar, Bill.

[TxFig]

I consider that past the legal (and perhaps moral?) definition of self defense and shooting to stop the threat. As one sees the BG driving off or his/her backside out the doorway- the threat is effectively stopped.

I'm not saying I would or would not have done what the armed citizen in this case did, but I absolutely disagree with your assertion in the above quoted text. Just because someone has turned and is running NOW does not mean the threat has ceased. IMO, the threat has not ceased until 1 of 2 conditions have been met:

(1) the threat is GONE
(2) the threat is no longer moving


IOW, so long as they are still present and moving, they are still a threat.

[threoh8]

Observations:

Moving to the parking lot does not necessarily mean leaving. Out if sight is not "gone".
An armed felon moving away may be moving toward another victim, signalling for reinforcements, or going for the heavier weapons.
The threat may change, but it's still there until prey or predator is completely gone.
Moving to the exit may allow a better view of the situation, and better decisions from that point.
Chasing is generally a bad idea. Overwatch of their withdrawal, not so bad. Getting descriptions and license plates, good.

[Purplehood]

Observations:

Moving to the parking lot does not necessarily mean leaving. Out if sight is not "gone".
An armed felon moving away may be moving toward another victim, signalling for reinforcements, or going for the heavier weapons.
The threat may change, but it's still there until prey or predator is completely gone.
Moving to the exit may allow a better view of the situation, and better decisions from that point.
Chasing is generally a bad idea. Overwatch of their withdrawal, not so bad. Getting descriptions and license plates, good.

I would have to agree.

IMHO staying inside the Restaurant and not trying to observe what the BGs are up to can lead to fatal consequences.

[sugar land dave]

Didn't somebody already say that?

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=613196#p613196

[Oldgringo]

Observations:

Moving to the parking lot does not necessarily mean leaving. Out if sight is not "gone".
An armed felon moving away may be moving toward another victim, signalling for reinforcements, or going for the heavier weapons.
The threat may change, but it's still there until prey or predator is completely gone.
Moving to the exit may allow a better view of the situation, and better decisions from that point.
Chasing is generally a bad idea. Overwatch of their withdrawal, not so bad. Getting descriptions and license plates, good.

I would have to agree.

IMHO staying inside the Restaurant and not trying to observe what the BGs are up to can lead to fatal consequences.

Your eggs will be cold when you get back to your table and nobody likes cold eggs - certainly not the Oldgringo. Just shoot 'em on sight, what's the problem?

[speedsix]

I consider that past the legal (and perhaps moral?) definition of self defense and shooting to stop the threat. As one sees the BG driving off or his/her backside out the doorway- the threat is effectively stopped.

I'm not saying I would or would not have done what the armed citizen in this case did, but I absolutely disagree with your assertion in the above quoted text. Just because someone has turned and is running NOW does not mean the threat has ceased. IMO, the threat has not ceased until 1 of 2 conditions have been met:

(1) the threat is GONE
(2) the threat is no longer moving


IOW, so long as they are still present and moving, they are still a threat.

...it's not about a "threat"...the shooting happened during the commission of an aggravated robbery...and deadly force is authorized...even while they're fleeing the parking lot...
...the caveat is to remember that every bullet has a lawyer tied to it...make sure to hit your intended target...