Armed Citizen in TX Stops Shooting Spree

[Jamie]

http://deadlinelive.info/2012/08/07/arm ... -a-pistol/

150-yard shot with a .357 magnum (article above doesn't list the caliber, but I heard it elsewhere).

Now, gentlemen, I ask you:

Should he have fired?

He put himself into danger that he could have escaped from. He was outgunned. True, he had the element of surprise, but that ended after the first shot when the bad guy turned to shoot at him with an AR.

Would you have fired?

[Mindflayer]

Conner’s family explained that he had “mental problems.” Police later found a notebook in Conner’s trailer with nearly incomprehensible “ramblings.”

When are people going to learn:

GET HELP FOR THE MENTALLY UNSTABLE.

[SHMIV]

http://deadlinelive.info/2012/08/07/arm ... -a-pistol/

150-yard shot with a .357 magnum (article above doesn't list the caliber, but I heard it elsewhere).

Now, gentlemen, I ask you:

Should he have fired?

He put himself into danger that he could have escaped from. He was outgunned. True, he had the element of surprise, but that ended after the first shot when the bad guy turned to shoot at him with an AR.

Would you have fired?

To answer the 1st question, yes. Of course, he should have fired. I'm glad that he did. Had he not fired, there's no telling how the thing could have ended.

To answer the 2nd question, I'd like to think that I would have fired. I've never been in a situation like that, so it's hard to say for certain.

[WRW]

100 yards unsupported is a challenge but it is possible. In previous posts I have encouraged handgun owners to at least try 50+ yard shots...this is why. 150+ yards is a damned fine shot. Kudos.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Jakeiscrazy]

I can hit a target at a hundred yards(with a good share of misses) but not sure I could do it under stress and wouldn't try the shot. That being said with 4 hits out of 165 yards he clearly knew what he was doing!

[scrubber3]

I for one, would not have taken such a long shot. Though I'm sure at his age he wouldn't have been able to run that far to help the officer in time so I'm glad he is so talented with his pistol. I would have however ran in closer to dispatch the threat. I would not have hesitated one bit.

Though the situation isn't one I'd like to be presented with, I am willing to go through the legal issues if it will save someone's life. I couldn't live with myself if I didn't do what I could to help. That's just my feelings toward it. All said and done, this guy is a hero. Plain and simple, he did what was right.

[Hokieman1987]

Too bad stuff like this never gets reported in mainstream media. Had the perp has his way in this situation, it would have been all over the news.

[TacticalMom]

Kudos on Vic Stacy. That was incredible shooting.

I hope I could do the same to help save people. I know I can defend my children and family if threatened... however, if we were safely flanking the guy. Out of sight and and out of mind I don't know that I could do it, step into harms way. Like I said I would love to think I can do it, but I would have to be in that situation.

All this over dog poop.

[AlanM]

The news report now says the police estimate the distance at about 150 FEET.

[scrubber3]

The news report now says the police estimate the distance at about 150 FEET.

That seems a whole lot more believable. For a minute there, I was thinking he must have used a .44 mag with a scope.

[williamtemple]

wow that was a very nice shot!
i am envious

[Jamie]

Glad to see there are plenty of us who would step in to lend assistance even if it put our own lives at serious risk. I agree, and like the previous poster, I only hope I'd have the guts to do it when actually in the situation.

[Kreutz]

I'd feel comfortable taking a handgun shot at 150 ft with the element of surprise on my side.

150 yards you're on your own.

[AlanM]

Just as a point of interest:
You can do the NRA Bullseye Pistol Qualification using any of the following target and distance options:

Any of the following targets and distance combinations may be used:
TQ-6 slow fire target,and TQ-7 timed and rapid fire target at 25 feet.
B-2 slow fire target,and B-3 timed and rapid fire target at 50 feet.
B-16 slow fire target,and B-8 timed and rapid fire target at 25 yards.
B-6 slow fire target at 50 yards,and B-8 timed and rapid fire target at 25 yards.
B-4 target at 20 yards.

The NRA Qualifications Book pdf can be downloaded here.

My point being that ACCURATELY shooting at a target from 50 yards with a pistol/revolver is not considered unusual in the eyes of the NRA.

As a side note: here's an article where the author shows that it's easier to qualify at 25 and 50 YARDS than it is at 25 and 50 FEET. That is there is a bias in the NRA targets.
A comparison of NRA target dimensions
I suspect that this is because USUALLY 25 and 50 feet are done indoors and 25 and 50 yard are done outdoors thereby adding wind into the equation.