Quote Originally Posted by Troy View Post
Quote Originally Posted by RickThai
As far as gun safety, most professionals who require the use of guns regularly keep a round in the chamber when in the "ready" position. Do you think most cops walk around with their guns unloaded?
I think this depends entirely on the type of gun you have. A double action revolver is arguably a safer weapon in the situations you describe. If not then a double action semi-automatic could be used safely with a chambered round. I don't think your Colt .45 is the best choice of weapon even for ex-service personnel.

Now I have a question for you:

You are walking through town at night in an unlit area when you notice a couple of youths trying to break into a car. Your physique is such that you can stop the two guys with reasonable ease and you have the standard service combat training. What would you do?
If I saw two teenagers (I am assuming that when you say "youths") breaking into a car, I would call 911 if I had my cell phone, otherwise, I would just keep walking.

Why? Because it could be they had locked themselves out of their own car. It could be that they were breaking into someone's car to rip off the stereo or steal the car.

Why risk being Zimmerman'd (whose life is now ruined) over some strangers car?

Regardless of their appearances, I would never take for granted that I could "handle them with reasonable ease" (even in my prime, which I am now way past). They might have knives or guns, and in any event two-on-one, puts any person, know matter how fit and well-trained at a severe disadvantage.

If I saw them attacking a woman or a child, then I would take a different action. I would grab some kind of weapon (if I wasn't armed) and then intervene (probably by sneaking up behind them and hitting them on the head). Depending upon the severity of the attack, I might call 911 first, otherwise I would just jump into the fray.

What would you do?

RickThai