richardlpalmer

You might have seen this story going around.

Gun carrying man ends stabbing spree at grocery store - CBS 21 News - Breaking news, sports and weather for the Harrisburg -York -Lancaster -Lebanon Pennsylvania area

It brings up an interesting point. I'm not sure about the laws (specifically in our state) about drawing a weapon and using it like this guy did. I mean, no shots were fired and he wasn't in harms way directly -- he was protecting others.

I just get this feeling you could get in big trouble for this in WA...

qballrail

Who, the stabber or the one holding the gun?

Brianaintright

You'd be fine. Even if you shot the guy you'd be fine. Even if he was running away with the knife after stabbing people you'd most likely be fine.

If you're worried about when it's ok to use a firearm in self defense or the defense of others, you need to go to school. Being unsure and hesitating is bad but saying the wrong thing after you've been involved in some drama can be horrible as well.

RCW chapter 9A.16 covers WA law but putting it in real terms you can understand is important. Check out Dave Workman's book Washington State gun rights and responsibilities. Massad Ayoob also has some good info, although I think he's a bit much sometimes.

richardlpalmer

Gracias!

So tell me, what would happen if LEO arrived at a scene like this with a guy pointing a gun at another person. Obviously they wouldn't know what was going on (other than what was conveyed on the radio en route to the scene). Would the guy get arrested and then released once things got sorted out?

rodrob

I just tried to look up David P Workman's book on Amazon, it is out of print. It was published in 2000 and there's been a lot of changes since then also. Darn, I was going to order it so I'd be more informed. Thanks for the heads up, I'll research further and if I find anything, I will post.

Brianaintright

Richard - depends on what the cops know and while you may be detained, it's doubtful you'd actually be taken into custody. You being in the "big city" might cause some additional issues. Most city cops are a lot more excitable around guns while those of us who work further out see them used legally a lot more often so to us a guy with a gun in his hand isn't always a big deal.

Rodrob - Washington Gun Rights and Responsibilities

2012 edition

Just a side note - I've only leafed through the book years ago and am passing on the info based on recommendations from others. I'm Rambo so I don't need that shit!

richardlpalmer

Thug lyfe!

Yeah yeah!