Debatable. If I were trying to prosecute him it would be a very easy to argue that the entire situation could have been avoided by just driving away and not pulling a gun in the ffirst place. The thing about laws is...it'* not so much what is specifically said (in the law itself), but rather what a laywer can convince a jury of. I'm quite confident a decent laywer could have him convicted, or sucessfully win damages in a suit from the families.

that one of the reasons he pull his gnu out, cuz we didn't know what they had, better be safe then sorry

yup, 100% right. thats why he just used it to get them t back off so we could safely get away.

Ryan, while there are some vaguely debatable issues in this situation, they WERE pursued after they left.

Those (like me and Bandit'* brother) that carry concealed legally are held to a higher standard and have undergone training. Both defensive and legal.

This isn't Canada (not meant as a slam whatsoever), and sentiment in the US has long ago turned away from the freaks and towards the law-abiding gun-toters.

In the several years Oregon has had a concealed permit law, not a SINGLE case of the use of a firearm by a permit-holding resident has ever been found to be unjust.

The gun laws in Canada really do suck

Thank goodness though that 'Sound Shooting' is not allowed here.

Your opinion may change someday Paul, when you find yourself in a situation that your family is in danger and you can't get away.

Most States here allow concealed carry because we have the right to protect ourselves from harm. If we didn't, the criminals would have the right to do as they please.

I still maintain that a competant litigator would be capable of arguing that the use of deadly force was not neccesary.

Either way, I'm not trying to paint a picture of gun-toting lunatics. While I do not agree with handguns their private ownership of them, I do recognise that most of those legally entitled to carry are responsible.

You misunderstood me Bill.
I think our gun laws are overly conservative.

....can you get me a 9 mm Glock

ALL of them are legally responsible or they wouldn't be carrying. If private ownership were banned in the US, only the criminals would have them. Not my cup of tea, thank you very much.

Oh, don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating for a complete ban under the current societal circumstances. I do not see the need to have a handgun, but I certainly do not think making them 100% illegal is the answer. Frankly, I wish that no one felt the need to arm themselves, but that is somewhat utopian. To me the answer is strict licensing and education for all firearms, from shotguns to .22s to handguns (in my opinion no one has a justified need for assault type weapons).

Your argument that there have been zero unjustified deaths from permit-holders lends credence to my assertion that proper education and regulation is the only way to realise safe and responsible firearms use.

Lastly, do you know what is established as the single most effective means of deterrence in a residence? A dog (I know you have that covered, Bill).