quote:
Again, don't be an idiot, don't say more than you need to, but explaining yourself to the responding officer doesn't seem to be a horrible idea.

The reason is very simple:

If you are not accustomed to regularly shooting a living human being, when you are forced to, you will be absolutely hysterical.

Regardless of how justified I felt I was - the rush of adrenaline, the overwhelming of emotions, the constant questioning of my actions - all of these things put me in a terrible position to make a statement. I can say with almost utmost certainty that I would be crying my eyes out and be short of breath if I had to take a person's life, or even if I simply shot someone and didn't know his or her fate. The dust must settle and the smoke must clear in your own mind before you are of sane mind enough to make a legal statement.

Remember, regardless of whether you are hysterical or emotional, anything you say can be used against you in court.

My best advice: "Officer, I was in fear for my life and I will make an official statement when my attorney is present."

This post was edited on 2/15/16 at 10:08 am

2 ...

Report Post

Posted by VetteGuy

Member since Feb 2008

28317 posts

Posted on 2/15/16 at 6:27 pm to bapple

quote:
If you are not accustomed to regularly shooting a living human being, when you are forced to, you will be absolutely hysterical.

I don't think I'd be hysterical just based on past situations I've been in.

That said, I'm sure I'd be shook up some and in no condition to have an open convo with people who aren't my fiends.

I base this on episode that happened to me a few weeks ago.

I was rear-ended on the Causeway while I was driving 65. The guy that hit me was racing or having an altercation with some guy in a truck and they literally flew up behind me. I was in the right lane, the truck was in the left. The guy that hit me then banged into the right side guardrail. I kept my car straight, kept it gathered up, switched lanes and got to a crossover. I called 911 and had a tough time keeping my composure (anger, shock, etc). I was able to accurately identify the car that hit me and the truck he was racing.

I tell y'all this b/c I think I drive pretty well, I handled the car fine and it was still a surprising event. I never had the slightest issue with keeping the car under control, b/c I've been in tighter spots before.

Dealing with the very unprofessional Causeway police was no picnic. They did catch the guy that hit me and arrested him for DWI. They didn't get the truck.

Going through that, if I had to use a firearm in a defensive manner (never having done that before), I'm calling my lawyer and they can arrest me if they want.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by uway

Member since Sep 2004

33109 posts

Posted on 2/15/16 at 9:43 pm to bapple