Is a Warning Shot EVER Appropriate?

**Jay Cunningham** · 07-17-07, 22:56

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.

**SHIVAN** · 07-17-07, 22:59

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.

**VA_Dinger** · 07-17-07, 23:13

Originally Posted by M4Guru

The first two in the chest are a warning, the one in the head is for real...

Damn funny!

**Joseywales** · 07-18-07, 00:01

Originally Posted by Thekatar

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?

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.

**turrican** · 07-18-07, 00:19

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.

**Alpha Sierra** · 07-18-07, 07:23

Originally Posted by MaceWindu

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

Mace

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.

**nationwide** · 07-18-07, 08:21

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