'Guns in the hands of good people'

MODERN OUTLAW wrote:

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That being said.........if a guy is right infront of me and launches an attack at full force and speed, how many shoots do you think I would have time to get off? Your first shot may be the only shot you have. If you gamble with that, then it is your life and your decision.

I think we understand each other now. By shooting for center of mass, you are maximizing both your likelihood of a good hit and the effectiveness of that hit. That is still not "shooting to kill", even though that is a likely result. Hopefully, you will have time to get off multiple shots, as your scenario does not give you time to evaluate effectiveness.

Mr. Fentiman,

Rest assured, your actions are indeed correct in the face of what occurred that evening. They reflect something that all too few 'citizens' are willing to accept in this era of "don't get involved" and "political correctness": Personal and Civic Responsibility.
I've never met you, I don't know you, and I probably never will. But as a former Federal police officer and Vietnam Veteran, I'd be proud to shake your hand and call you friend and neighbor. And I'd be comfortable with you at my back, any time, anywhere.

Jim in Houston wrote:

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I think we understand each other now. By shooting for center of mass, you are maximizing both your likelihood of a good hit and the effectiveness of that hit. That is still not "shooting to kill", even though that is a likely result. Hopefully, you will have time to get off multiple shots, as your scenario does not give you time to evaluate effectiveness.

I agree with your post. I see what you are saying. Afterall it does all come down to each individual scenerio.

Jim in upstate NY wrote:

Are not we to be our brothers keeper?

That's only true when it's liberals trying to justify tax increases for social programs.

If we had more caring citizens like Mr.Fentiman our neighborhoods would be much safer.

Well sir ! even if you took the life of another man that is ok. It wasn't for fun or drugs . just think if he would have hurt her and the child in the car ? how would you have felt then knowing you could have helped but didn't ? I this was your wife and child , whould you want someone to help them ? this worthless peace of crap deserved what he got . HAVE NO REGRETS !!!

Thank God, you were there with your gun (legally obtained) and your courage (to use it correctly).

I myself have never had to shoot anyone (as of yet) but it reminds me of my grandfather who did. My aunt was involved with a guy who abused her and her children. Sending them to the ER room on a frequent basis. One night my grandfather was visiting them and the guy had beaten and knocked my aunt and her children down once again. My grandfathe called the police. By the time an officer arrived and was walking in the door, the guy was going after my grandfather with a knife. The officer told my grandfather to shoot ( my grandfather legally carried a 35 revolver) and my grandfather put 5 rounds in the guys chest killing him. Was he wrong in doing so? To me NO. It was unusual in those days for people to act like that compared to todays society. I look for it to happen more and more and maybe if it would and more brave people take action against those that are doing harm to others and the justice system would give stiffer consequences, we would have less crime. My hat goes off to you for your bravery and actions.

I applaud the willingness and fortitude of Mr. Need to stand in the face of violence and act rational. To those that think this unjust; what if it was your wife and baby in that car? Would you want someone to stand up and help her? This has made it all the way to Louisiana at www.bayoushooter.com

Don't think for one minute that you did the wrong thing because you did the right thing and thank you for helping innocent victims.
P.S. Thank you

Thomas Clough wrote:

Don't think for one minute that you did the wrong thing because you did the right thing and thank you for helping innocent victims.
P.S. Thank you

Agreed. Tough, nightmarish situation to be placed in.

jessD wrote:

Thank you, sir, for having the forethought and courage to do what you did. You didn't take that man's life; he took his own by attacking an armed defender, and from your description, he walked into it willingly.
Reading your story has convinced me to obtain and train with a firearm. I can only hope I have your courage and conviction if and when the time comes to use it.

If you have decided to buy a gun and get a carry permit, first get hold of a book titled, "In the Gravest Extreme". read it, then really decide. If you want to carry, learn your state's LAWS, then practise, practise, and practise with that weapon until there is little way you cannot defend yourself successfully. The defender in this instance got real lucky.

I have interceded on behalf of complete strangers my entire life. In each case, my life was in imminent danger because of doing so.

So what?

I could never walk away from aiding a person truly in need, or an innocent in danger. I'm 44, I am married, and have three children. And, that is how I have lived my life.

If I were to die one day because I was helping someone in need, then I would die happy. For, living in fear and without risk is not living at all. And, being too cowardly to face evil is simply not any way for an American to live.

If I were ever to be in real danger, I pray people like Computer Steve and Forgot to Mention are nowhere around. I would pray, instead, that someone like Mr. Fentiman are close enough to render aid. I, and my family, would sure as heck appreciate it.

It is my considered opinion that you performed admirably. And if I should ever happen to encounter you, I will shake your hand and buy you a drink!

You did what you needed to do. You're a good American.

Stay safe!

I would first like to applaud Mr Fentimann for being a first rate citizen in stopping and helping those people. It is unfortunate it ended the way it did but I think Mr Fentiman show a great deal of patience if not reluctance to produce his weapon and only doing so when he had no other choice. I have 2 daughters of my own and would like to think that if they were to get into a situation similiar to this one that a Mr. Fentiman type person would intervene on their behalf. I am also a ccw permit holder and struggled for a year after getting a permit to make the decision to actually carry a gun.Not a decision I made lightly. I certainly don't want to hurt a soul and would gladly let the police handle a situation if it is at all possible. Being fifty yrs old and a house full of women (daughters and wife) I am the one ultimately who has to provide the protection to them and myself if the law can't be there.I hope and pray that I don't find myself in a situation like that, but if I do, I would hope I could carry myself like Mr. Fentimann. I personally think you did the right thing but more importantly the law said you did the right thing and I'll bet those women were glad you stopped.I also think the people who are speaking out against Mr Fentimann are a mouthy minority and have no backbone to do the right thing. As long as it is not happening to them, they don't seem to care. Let it happen to them and have the police late getting there then the complaining will start.I sincerely hope that you can put this behind you and find comfort in the fact that many Pennsylvanians are behind you. Sincerely, Bill

Brian,
Let me start by saying, you are really a hero. You stood up for whats right. Not many people do that at all. Yes you took a life...but to save your own. You are an angel. I lived in the city close to where this occurred....and it is not a pleasant place to live anymore. Dont ever doubt what you did...GOD put you there for some reason...I hope you can overcome the feelings of guilt

Good for you. Without question a justifiable homocide. I agree with everything you wrote. We've become a society of cowards. People standing by and watching horrible things happen to their fellow citizens. And when someone does stand up against the evildoers, they are treated as a suspect or worse. I'm tired of the villains being given the benefit of the doubt (thank you, liberals). F 'em. It's time to fight back.

Brian,

Good skills mate. Well done and remember, your detractors need to look in the mirror each morning. You may look yourself in the eye and know you stood tall and did the right thing.

Society 1, bad guys 0

Cheers,

Thank you for doing what you did. You may not think of yourself as a hero and perhaps you are correct. I think of you as a real human being. Who did the right thing in a very bad situation. My Los Angeles born wife never understood why I have all ways stopped to give aid at traffic accidents. All I can tell her is, "it is the right thing to do". Like you I would have a very hard time living with myself if I were to drive on by only to learn later that those two women and a baby were harmed and I did nothing.