Is a Warning Shot EVER Appropriate?

General General Discussion
1

Like the subject line says.

I always considered the idea of a “warning shot” to be Hollywood/gun shop hillbilly B.S.

Today while getting some cardio in I was thinking through some scenarios. Some type of civil unrest/mob/riot type thing popped into my head and I’m picturing carbine vs. a crowd of stirred-up idiots… and I wondered to myself if a warning shot/shots might be appropriate in SOME (very limited) situations?

:confused: :eek:

2

and I wondered to myself if a warning shot/shots might be appropriate in SOME (very limited) situations?

I fire shots into the BG as a warning to the others with him that what they are doing is probably a bad idea.:smiley:

Mace

3

One issue is, where does the shot go or end up? I do know of one case through the years where a warning shot(in the grass) was discharged(out of policy) but it did prevent the next step from happening.

4

Never

5

I’m with Mace and SGB, if your going to shoot then shoot. A warning shot is a very bad idea.

:wink: Billy

6

If you’re on the high seas and being attacked by pirates then a warning shot across the bow might be acceptable…

Beyond that, hell no.

7

Interesting. I was just going to say current USN doctrine allows warning shots under certain circumstances. Mainly to determine intentions.

In civilian defense, I agree with your conclusion.

8

My agency specifies that they will not be fired, and verbal commands/warnings are only used when “feasible”. One of the few things I don’t disagree with.

Bob

9

With all due respect, if there’s a riot/zombie invasion on your front lawn firing into the air is just wasting ammo. :smiley:

Nothing encourages a crowd to disperse like getting sprayed by the cranial contents of a few ringleaders.

10

The first two in the chest are a warning, the one in the head is for real…:smiley:

11

Pretty much as I expected, as far as responses.

I had never given this concept any real consideration until today when I was gaming some scenarios in my head.

I wanted to see if anybody had any experience with this or EVER had an instructor that suggested this could be an option. None of my instructors ever have, nor do I incorporate it into my own mindset.

12

If the gun has come out, then I feel an immediate, and tangible, threat to my life or the life of an innocent.

Therefore there should be shots that find the target, and hopefully no other kind. :slight_smile:

13

Damn funny!

:smiley:

14

For the scenario you listed, I wouldn’t do it for the following reasons:

  1. Verbal warning may get the job done, why waste precious ammo
  2. If I verbally tell them I will do something if they do not comply, and I do that thing, they will trust that I will keep my word. So, if Darwin Award Winner A decides to try to throw a Multov Coctail onto my house, and I told him not to, and he raises his arm to throw, I would kill him. Then the rest of the crown understands the warning: attack me and you are dead. That is how you do a warning shot. Any other way tells them that you are negotiating from a position of hesitation and all show.
15

If an attacker is far enough away and I have time maybe I would give a verbal warning, maybe. Otherwise I would neutralize the threat ASAP.

16

In all seriousness, that is exactly what I would do in the case of a mob turning on me or mine.

Whoever is on point eats a couple. Let that be a warning to the others. Repeat as necessary.

17

Based on my own training and experience, presentation of the weapon and verbal commands are the warning…

Deadly force is deadly force. The only time I intend to discharge my firearms in a threat situation is to stop the threat. THAT process does not involve any further negotiation on my part :wink:

18

Thats awesome dude :smiley:

19

Maybe at a brown bear.

20

Too funny. :smiley: