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In reply to the discussion: Customer shoots bank robber in Warren [View all]branford
(4,462 posts)Situations are very rarely free of all risk.
In this instance, according to the relevant articles, the citizen was the only person in the bank other than the armed robber and tellers, and rather than make an immediate egress, the robber pointed his gun directly at the citizen. If it was me, I imagine I would certainly feel I was in a true life or death situation, and if armed, would likely attempt to defend myself with the weapon.
I'm not quite sure what you're generally suggesting with your comments. If you're simply stating that you personally would never use a firearm to defend yourself because of the possibility, no matter how remote, of injuring an innocent, that certainly would be your choice. No one, not even the NRA, is suggesting that everyone must own and carry a gun, no less use it if threatened.
However, if you're suggesting that people be prevented as a matter of law from employing a firearm in self-defense because of any potential risk, you would be eviscerating both the right to keep and bear arms and general, historic notions of self-defense, particular against assailants that are themselves armed or by people who are smaller, weaker or outnumbered by criminal adversaries.