Protecting others - Hypothetical

[cobra2411]

Ok, talked to my cousin yesterday and he said a close friend was jumped outside a local bar and beaten pretty bad. The friend had been in an argument with a guy and the guy basically stalked him with his older brother and attacked him in a parking lot.

That got me thinking... If I'm carrying and I see two men beating someone I would fear for that person's life and in theory be justified in the use of force. I suspect the gun would come out and they would flee. Do I call police before or after. Obviously if the guy is seriously hurt it'd be a good idea to get someone to check him out.

If the attackers didn't flee I could arrest them (citizens) correct? When talking to the police I probably should tell them I'm armed and have the attackers at gunpoint?

Should I try and arrest them or encourage them to flee? I really don't want to shoot someone in the middle of the street unless I had absolutely no other choice.

Just trying to think this though before I find myself confronting an attacker, rapist, kidnapper, etc... If ever...

[justsayno]

the problem with walking up on a incident.. you really don't know who was the alleged original attacker. You might come in at half time, and shot the wrong guy. When you shoot someone, (you dont' know the vic.) and the vic splits, you look like a killer to the cops.. As far as bar fights.. Not a good senerio.. guns and alcohol don't mix well...

Yelling "Get off him!!" while the 911 recorder is going ,is best.. after that, it's all Hypothetical....

[PennsyPlinker]

Bar. Strangers. Argument. A very bad combination. Not getting into situations like this is easy enough, but there are plenty of people who never seem to be able to figure out how.

[headcase]

Bar. Strangers. Argument. A very bad combination. Not getting into situations like this is easy enough, but there are plenty of people who never seem to be able to figure out how.

*bold is mine

Truer words were never typed....