Personal stories about self defense with a firearm

[fullautovalmet76]

I am starting this thread to gather the stories from those who have actually used a firearm for self defense. So much is written about what should happen or not happen, that I wonder if these experts really know what they are talking about. I think we all can benefit from the stories of others and take their impressions and apply them for our own benefit.

With that in mind, I'll begin with my story:

In April 2007, I had the misfortune of being involved in a shooting. I lived next to a drug dealer who had two pit bulls. This breed is an aggressive breed and is used by drug dealers to guard their property.

I was taking out the trash one night when I was attacked by one of the drug dealer's dogs. As I was walking around the side of my garage taking the trash out, the dog (about 100 lbs.) climbed the 6 foot privacy fence and leaped from the top at me. Fortunately, I got a glimpse of the dog at the top of the fence and started backing away. The dog landed and started charging toward me, trying to leap at me again. I was wearing my Glock 30 (45 ACP) in a fanny pack and drew it and fired two shots. The dog ran out into my front yard toward the street, so I did not take another shot- I did not want to shoot any innocent bystanders. Needless to say, the owner wasn't happy. He threatened me and he called the police. To make a long story short, after the police took his statement and heard from my attorney, the police determined that I had lawfully used my gun in self defense.

What did happen:
Things slowed down for me during the shooting.
I was scared to death.
The drug dealer now knows that I have a gun and I am not afraid to use it to defend myself.
I installed an alarm system and camera system in my home.
I always keep my head on a swivel now looking for any potential threat, either from him or from anyone else.
I saw some muzzle flash, but not much.

What did not happen:
The impact from the round did not send the dog flying 20 feet into the air.
The impact from the round did not cause blood to go flying every where.
I did not hear the gun go off.
The dog did not die.

So what do I think are the lessons from this?
1. If you don't have a concealed or carry permit, you should get one. Though I was covered by Florida law in using a handgun for self defense on my property, the fact I had a CCW permit gave me a few more protections that I would not have had otherwise.
2. Get some training on how to use your firearm in a situation like this. A few months earlier, I attended a self defense course where the instructor had us practice shooting while moving backward using one hand to shoot.
3. Don't put too much faith in your ammunition. I fired from close range (within 5 feet) and the Federal Hydra-Shock ammo (230 gr) I was using over-penetrated. The first round entered the left side of its neck and exited above its right shoulder I believe. The second shot missed, which is not the fault of the manufacturer. To be certain, the ammo worked in that it stopped the attack but it did not do as much damage as one might think.
4. This follows on to point three: Shot placement is critical!! Work on shooting at critical spots under stress.
5. Make sure you have a handgun that YOU CAN CONTROL during something like this. For example, one may like the ballistics of the .357 Magnum but if it can't be controlled then it's not the round to be using.
6. Have a good lawyer on your side. I am not a lawyer and I don't play one on T.V., but I would not make a statement to the police without first consulting or having your attorney present.
7. Be skeptical of the claims of the gun store commandos and other "Billy Bad Asses" you encounter. Always ask them if they have actually used their firearm in self defense. Then evaluate what they have to say.
8. I have a much greater appreciation for the strength and speed of a pit bull after this encounter. They are truly awesome dogs. I really hated to shoot the dog, as odd as that reads. I love animals, especially dogs. So this really hurt.

I hope this helps anyone. And I look forward to learning from the experiences of others.
-George

[Big Frank]

Thanks for telling your story. I'm glad things turned out okay. I like most dogs more than most people but wouldn't hesitate to shoot one.
IMO the bullet going clear through a 100 pound dog's neck isn't overpenetration. It was designed to go much further than that.

[tman]

You are right about training, it's critical. If a person is going to carry a weapon you need it.

[TSB]

Glad you made it through this ordeal George, let's hope you never have too ever again.

I was having a pleasant disagreement with one of my more liberal co-workers today about a similar subject.  He was jokingly busting me for being a gun toting republican (though, in most cases I'm independent).  I reminded him that allthough I do on occasion, carry a firearm, I dread the day I'm put to the test because even now, when I hunt, my heart still pounds out of my chest.  I can't imagine what it would be like to draw on another human being.  All of the emotions that must run through your body as well as the copious amounts of adrenaline that the body produces in times of stress.  That's why the training is so important, it minimizes the effects of the unknown and makes it an automatic response to the stimulii...

Where I live, violent crime is minimal, 50 miles outside of Boston is as close as I will ever need too be to that city.  The last murder in our area was about ten years ago and it was a robery in a freeway gas station that went horribly wrong.  They caught the high school age kids from Worcester that commited the crime and hopefully they still reside in the prison they sent them too.

The blood and guts we all see on the TV and in film is laughable.  The enormous amount of blood spraying out-bound from an entry wound still makes me giggle.  It's proof positive that these film directors have never actually seen the effects of what a bullet does, nor do they care.

Tim

[fullautovalmet76]

Jumbofrank,
You're right. The word "over-penetration" in this case may be misused. But what I am trying to tie together in everyone's mind is not to place 100% confidence in their ammo to do the job it is designed to do. Like all things mechanical or made by man, it may work, may not work, or may work in ways we never imagined. I know you get the point, but I'm just explaining a bit more.

Timothy,
I appreciate your comments. Afterward, I was asked to give my story to a training class and there were two law enforcement officers in the class. Both had used their firearm in the line of duty. As I described what happened and my reactions, I saw them nod in agreement. After the class, both approached me and told me they had the same type of reactions and feelings.

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

I think I understand now, George. Not OVERpenetration, but COMPLETE penetration, and then the bullet continues to travel until it hits... something. Am I close?

Thankfully I've never been involved in a shooting but I have had several car crashes and near misses, as well as several other types accidents that came close to killing me. I was even dead for awhile after being electrocuted. Let's just say I've had some stressful situations, even if they weren't as intense as having to shoot anyone or anything to save my life.

I've experienced "time dilation" a couple of times where everything happens in super slow motion, like the world is almost standing still. I've either had tunnel vision or maybe was just extremely focused on one thing in front of me too. Either way it was like nothing else existed. I can understand when guys don't hear the shot or see the flash.

Something I don't hear mentioned very often is the after effects of all the adrenaline that gets dumped into your bloodstream. After nearly hitting a another car head on it seemed like I had enough adrenaline to lift a ton of weight or run a sprint. Since I didn't do anything to burn it off, it stayed in my system and I felt ill for several minutes. I mean really sick, like I would throw up, and felt kind of dizzy. It was like I was being poisoned by all the adrenaline. There were other symptoms too and I couldn't believe how it made me feel. I guesss I don't handle stress very well.

[fullautovalmet76]

You got it- complete penetration. The shot came down at an angle and I thought the round would have fully expanded. I learned later that it did leave some fragments behind, as they had to open him up and clean him out.

I'd say that being dead for a while is right up there with my experience.....I am glad you made it. And I'm sure family and friends are too.