That is a ticklish question. If the DA or the Police are of a mind that citizens should shut up and take their murder, rape, or mugging it then it really does not matter (I've worked for people like that). The first goal is to survive the incident without harming innocent life. To that end be trained, be situationally aware, and be cooperative with the investigation. Call the Cops immediately and be honest.  

 

Carrying a .44 magnum, .454 Casul, ect. is probably going to be considered a "aggravating factor"(unless specific circumstances such as being in the Back Country would reasonably indicate otherwise). A Glock 17/19 or a Berreta, or Browning High Power, 1911, S&W revolver ect. will probably be considered normal for a personal defense weapon (in places where hand guns are legal to carry or own) so you should not be taking any un neccesary risks there.

Do Not Use deadly force unless that is the only reasonable option left to you. If you use a gun in self defense you will face a major Police & DA's investigation, you will be a suspect. If the gun was discharged into another person the best case scenario is probably a grand jury. Some DA's will just file charges no matter what the circumstances in order to teach the public a lesson. Those are facts. You will face a lawsuit, you will have your life turned inside out for 6 months to a year. 

 

You will also be alive.

 

Check Six

 

Rocky

 

 

 

I had kind of been sitting back and staying out of this discussion for a while, but I thought that maybe I should throw my two cents in here.  The .357 Magnum is an excellent anti-personnel cartridge, but it has its limitations.  For the most part .357 pistols are revolvers, with the exception of a few very expensive M-1911 type automatics (Coonan Arms).  Revolvers are very accurate and reliable, but they only carry five to six rounds and are slow to reload.  You can find a lot of automatic pistols in calibres ranging from .32 to .45 that carry anywhere to seven to seventeen rounds that are much quicker to load.  In fairness, however, I must admit that I usually carry a five shot titanium Taurus M-85 revolver off duty.  The reason I carry such a weapon is because it is more comfortable to carry than my eight-shot Glock 27 in .40 calibre. 

 

The biggest factor in man stoppage is not calibre, but shot placement.  I would much rather face a poor shot armed with a .50 calibre Desert Eagle than an excellent shot armed with a .22 calibre Ruger.  The poor shot might get lucky and put you down, but the excellent shot will most certainly drop you with a shot between the eyes unless you kill him first.  Stress is also a factor.  It is easy enough to put rounds center mass on a target at seven meters, but it is hard as hell to do so when the target is shooting at you. 

 

Whatever pistol or calibre you choose, the key is that you practice with it and become proficient. 

As far as lethal force is concerned, you may only use lethal force if you reasonable believe and can articulate that you believed that your life or someone else's was endangered.  If you did shoot someone else in self defense you should tell the police that you believed that your life was endangered and that you feared for your life. 

 "If you did shoot someone else in self defense you should tell the police that you believed that your life was endangered and that you feared for your life." - Smitty 237

 

You should also carry a cell phone if you carry a pistol.  It will look better if you are the one to call 911 after you shoot someone in self defense.  Don't be holding a pistol when the cops show up.  Be prepared to be proned out and handcuffed at gunpoint.  Say only that it was necessary for you to defend your life with your pistol and that you will be happy to cooperate with a police investigation and make a full statement.....after you've talked to an attorney. 

.....after you've talked to an attorney.

Longrifle that is a fine line to walk . 

Smitty's post was a great point I guess I glossed by. 

 

Check Six

 

Rocky

 

 

 

is america that dangerous that you have to have a gun?

Is the UK so safe you don't need to have a gun?