Drew my firearm for the first time...

[Tom98915]

An incident happened very recently where I had to unholster my firearm for the first time. Thankfully I never had use it and the LEOs that showed up took my statement about what illegal activity the other party did and let me go about my business. I still look back on it and have many second thoughts about the incident and how it could have gone down or gone bad, how I could have avoided it, and I seem to be second guessing myself.

Is this feeling common with those of you who have had to unholster yours?

[AMS MIKE]

you drew your weapon and did you have intentions to shoot or to scare? Did you try to escape the BG or whoever you were immediately threatened by?

check Penal code 417.

Where you in your place of business or in public?

I would not draw my weapon unless i was about to face death. And if i ever have to drwa, I STFU when authorities talk to me.

[Tom98915]

It was in a semi public place but neither to scare or shoot, and I did make a successful effort get to remove myself from the threat into a safe place and put it away immediately. And no I did not brandish it or point it at anyone. I kept it by my side pointed at the ground for the whole 10 seconds it was out.

[AMS MIKE]

Also to add; if I can in anyway, I would remove myself from the situation to avoid the conflict. Somehow escape the BG or the threat. If I can't and my life is in immediate danger, then I will make that move.

If one is to remove their weapon from the holster and brandish, that would be going against penal code 417.

[AMS MIKE]

also i must add, glad to hear you are safe and un-hurt

[libertarian]

Though I haven't had to use my firearm, the second guessing you describe is very common with any stressful situation.

If you believed yourself or a loved one in immediate fear of death or great bodily harm, and you escaped unharmed, and were fortunate enough to not have to shoot anyone to do that, your choices cannot have been that far off.

Since you weren't arrested, the LEOs apparently agreed.

And glad you're still here to post.

[FiringLion]

Very glad you survived without incident.

You are describing an event that "unseated your soul."
Most definitely you will second guess yourself as a consequence, but that does not mean you were even slightly wrong - it's just how we process the unfamiliar experience.

Take great care of yourself over the next little while - it is also very common to come to harm after such an event.

[SierraNevadaCCW]

Ok...AMS Mike and I have two different philosophies on this.

Here's the bottom line...do you want the BG to have the drop on you....? No? Than get that firearm in your hand before he does.

You did the right thing.

[El Gato]

Glad to hear you are ok...!

Draw first?

Here is a brain teaser...

"Always Shoot Back First"

Whatcha think?

[pdomench]

Mind explaining the incident? Just asking out of curiosity.

[THE Gimper]

Originally Posted by libertarian

Though I haven't had to use my firearm, the second guessing you describe is very common with any stressful situation.

True. I got a PM from someone who was in a situation that might have resulted in the need to draw. Fortunately, it didn't, but even he was second guessing himself.

Glad to hear you're OK Tom.

[AMS MIKE]

from what the OP originally posted was very vague, after i replied, he edited his posts to add more clarification. Thank you for adding, because i had to speculate what happened and i figured the worse case scenario.

He added this....

And no I did not brandish it or point it at anyone. I kept it by my side pointed at the ground for the whole 10 seconds it was out.

with all being said,

[FiringLion]

I'm with AMS Mike - ya done right.

[Quietpi]

1. Glad to hear you're OK.

2. I've been to many incidents. I have never been to an incident where, afterward, I didn't think of things that I might have done differently or better. Similarly, I have never been to a perfect emergency. There's another brain teaser for ya.

This is another manifestation of the "taxi cab speech" phenomenon. Everybody who has ever spoken in public suffers from it. That's when you think of all the things you "should have said."

[CalCCW03]

Originally Posted by pdomench

Mind explaining the incident? Just asking out of curiosity.

The fact that he didn't describe the incident to begin with would indicate that he would rather not. If he changes his mind in he future, that's his perogative.

Take note people, don't ask. Thank you.