Get involved or not - here we go again

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skidmark

New member
All the what-if scenarios that manage to get posted boil down to a question of whether or not to get involved.

There is never going to be an end to the question of should you or shouldn't you get involved.

But there are a few things that can help decide. Gabe Suarez has a few comments that struck a chord with me - not that I agree with everything he has to say, but he does say it better than I've read in many other places.

Check it out: http://www.warriortalknews.com/2010/06/should-you-act-get-involved-or-get-away.html#tp

If nothing else, I'm taking away "think with your brain, not with your sword".

stay safe.
 
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CWPinSC

Moderator
Unless the bad guys have targeted you and them specifically, go on your way. Whatever is happening is none of your business. Certainly, call 911, but leave and keep them safe. Sorry to sound “cowardly” but anyone who says they will risk their family to save someone else’s money is a fool.
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Most excellent! Each situation must be evaluated on its own particular merits. My first, ONLY absolute responsibility is to myself and my family. Anything else is way down the list. Carrying a gun doesn't make me a cop and gives me absolutely NO police rights and responsibilities. As he said several times, it ain't my business.

Simply determining who's the bad guy in some scenarios is difficult in the seconds you have to react or not react. Is the man punching a woman in the face a wife beater or is he defending himself from a prostitute's knife attack? Is the scruffy young man holding a business-suited man at snub-nose gunpoint in an alley a mugger or an undercover cop making a drug bust? Two men coming to blows over a heated argument - where is the fault? Who do you shoot? Is a man dragging a kicking, screaming child into a car a molester/kidnapper or the child's father attempting to deal with an unruly brat?

We carry guns for defense of our or our families lives - nothing else.
 
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old bear

New member
Mr. Suarez makes very good sense. The only thing I would add, IMHO, the cell phone and the ability to retreat are two of the most important defense tools available today.
 
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BlueTrain

New member
I keep reading everywhere that everyone is supposed to take responsibility for their own safety, which means them, not you--or me.
 
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Skans

Active member
I thought that was a good read. It basically restates what I believe anyway.

I might add that if I am within 5-10 feet of an armed robber in the act of robbing lets say a Subway sandwich shop, I'm probably going to take action. At that distance, I feel that my life as well as others around me are in danger. But, other than that....well, that's why they call it a "free" country - other people are as free as I am to arm and protect themselves.
 
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chrisbarcelo

New member
Only if my life or my family is in danger. When I was not yet retired from the Philippine military, yes I will get involve. But now, having a semi deaf ear and a limp to boot, Id rather let the local police do it. :)
 
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Indy_Guy_77

New member
Personally, I think it's still all situationally dependent.

Guy goes on a murderous rampage at the mall with an AK-style rifle and walks near enough to me for me to do something...and I don't? ol' boy's probably going to kill/wound a dozen+ people.

If I were to somehow be able to intervene without any MORE risk to the woman who's at the top of my Priority List...then I think that I may very well be morally compelled.

#1) Wife
#2) me
#3) kids (when we have them)
#4) others as depending on the situation
 
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sakeneko

New member
Suarez makes sense. He isn't telling people not to intervene to help others, but to show some good judgement and good sense about when to do so. IMHO he's right about intervening in a violent situation where you risk getting shot when you've got unarmed/unprepared family members or friends with you who can't be stashed in a safe place quickly. This is doubly true if you've got children with you.

When the bullets start flying, they hit anybody in their path, not just the bad guys. Any of us, even the most tactically sophisticated, can't control events once the s*** hits the fan. It's important to think about your priorities *before* you jump in to help somebody at the possible cost of your life or that of some other innocent third party who is present.
 
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Retired15T

New member
I completely agree with the article. Having said that though, I do think that generally, the older you are, the more responsibilities you have...like a family, the more "sense" this article will make to you.
 
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skifast

New member
To sum up the article, Gabe is saying to think before you act. It is as simple as that.

I would also add to his examples, don't fight a fight you can't win. If six guys with body armor and M4s are shooting up a restaurant, I am not going to engage them with a 9mm handgun, unless I have absolutely no choice.
 
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pacerdude

New member
I am glad that you posted that article, it was a very informative read. Unless me or my family is involved in a situation, it's none of my business, just call 911 and be on my merry way.
 
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BillCA

New member
The question to get involved is neither black nor white. Nor does getting involved have to involve lethal force.

Someone mentioned a kicking-screaming child may be just putting up a tantrum against his father -- or resisting an abduction. No lethal force needed at that point if you call out and question the incident. Pedophiles are likely to vamoose while a parent's response may be anything from "get bent" to "wanna buy a kid cheap?"

But the advice is really a "think before you act" reminder. To paraphrase that old carpenter's wisdom - Think twice, act once.
 
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ranburr

New member
When I get involved:

1. When my life is threatened
2. When certain pieces of my property are threatened: My Sony TV = no shoot; my irreplaceable ring given to me by my grandfather = shoot.
3. Active shooter scenerio: If I can do it when alone, without putting loved ones in danger and I have a better than reasonable chance of coming out of it alive; I must do it to protect loved ones.
4. Someone is in my house. I live alone and anyone inside is up to no good.
5. Someone is anywhere on my property at night (exception being well lit front yard). Backyard, storage shed, garage, patio, all = shoot areas at night.
 
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Mannlicher

New member
Unless the bad guys have targeted you and them specifically, go on your way. Whatever is happening is none of your business. Certainly, call 911, but leave and keep them safe. Sorry to sound “cowardly” but anyone who says they will risk their family to save someone else’s money is a fool.
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brave advice from someone running a 'warriortalk' site. :D
 
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Glenn E. Meyer

New member
Warriors don't have to act stupidly to be a warrior. The case Gabe discusses where the warrior starts a fight that ends with the family members killed is case in point.

Mas has another (might be the same one) of an officer, off duty, who intervenes, thinks his kid is safe and in the melee, the BG sees the kid and kills her.

The warrior class in WWI were certainly geniuses. Charge the machine guns.
 
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Wildalaska

Moderator
Im not a warrior, Im a fat old guy. I dont want to be a warrior either, which is why I avoid things that have Warrior in part of the title.:D


WildiknowrealwarriorsandhavelittleuseforfakeonesbythewayAlaska TM
 
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coldpointcrossing

New member
Good read. It's worth rereading a couple of times with a bit of self reflection.

Makes me wonder just how and where do I draw the line between being a samaritan or a desensitized onlooker...
 
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