Kuntryboy816 wrote:Sorry if there was confusion due to my response... My response wasn't garnered in a way of "Why didn't he shoot the bastard?" but along the lines of "Why didn't he detain the guy until police arrive?" Given the fact that the guy with the bat threatened/assaulted them in a manner severe enough to warrant pulling his pistol, they had every right (even as citizens) to detain him thus until the authorities arrive.
My first thought is that distance is your friend. In this case, it not only gives you more time to react, but also avoids initiating a second phase of this incident. Once you contact the bad guy, who knows what will happen -- and at the point, you have put your weapon into close proximity to the bad guy (which could lead to him taking the weapon). Additionally, you may no longer have the ability to control the situation (because now you may be physically fighting the guy), or the right to use the weapon. YOU contacted him and physically restrained HIM, making a good argument for HIM being the victim.
The second thought could also complicate your actions of physically engaging the person, but -- what crime did he commit? Honestly, he was arrested, but apparently not even charged with a specific crime (yet). Obviously, the situation went away -- if there was even a situation to start with. There's a good chance that no charges will ever result from this, meaning -- if he had been physically restrained by the so-called good guy, would that guy have faced charges?
Distance is your friend, and it's an even better friend if you need to use a scope to see the situation.
The Revolution starts in your heart...