I’ve never been in that spot before where I had to, or considered, killing someone.
However…I know me, and I know that I could. It would most likely completely destroy my life thereafter (psychologically, meaning), but I am pretty positive that if put in the wrong situation, I would.
Every soldier on the ground anywhere is killing for a political ideal, so for those of you that say you wouldn’t kill for that, I’m surprised. Democracy, communism, feudal systems, etc. are nothing more than idealogies that men have been fighting for or against for ages. I would kill for that…every man in World War II did. If there was a war that was going on that I fely I should join, I would then be killing for a political ideal, which is justifiable to me.
For revenge? Yes, but only because I’m a flaming fucking idiot who really hopes he outgrows that. If my wife cheated on me, or something happened to that nature, I certainly could not be trusted to not do something incredibly stupid… my personality tends to be a reactionary one, and that is bad if you were to mix it with a two parts depression and one part whiskey. I don’t wonder why guys end up in jail for this. It’s not justifiable, but it’s always possible.
In self defense…I think that’s the only justifiable time when it could happen. Someone coming into your house, threatening the family, etc. is probably the most accepted reason to kill someone, although it rarely happens.
[quote]Varqanir wrote:
Certainly, there’s a big difference between “would I?” and “could I?”. The second question may be unanswerable until the last moment, but in my opinion, the first question must be answered way in advance.
[/quote]
It is good to examine the moral and ethical boundaries that each of us exist in.
It is my belief that a lot of people are capable of killing, whether they know it or not, and should examine who they are, what they are capable of, and why.
I know in CA Laws world of internet clarivoyance, stuff like that isn’t necessary. I’ve had an exceptionaly voilent upbringing, and continued this in to adulthood. I’ve had to examine this in myself after a couple of particularly voilent episodes from behind bars. They didn’t result in death, but very easily could have.
That is why I think it is very important to honestly look at the content of your character, rather than surprise yourself with the clarity of 20/20 hindsight.
To whoever asked if I was joking, I wasn’t. I have fought full contact martial arts, and in the streets for my life before. I had to defend my property with my pistol before, but never pull the trigger. I keep a shotgun by my bed incase of intrusion, which stays loaded. Trust me when I say I would not hesitate.
The main thing is, I hope I am never placed in the situation to need to.
Very often you’ll find the “big talking” tough guys break down and cry when the shit really hits the fan and the quiet guy that nobody thought something of is the guy who’ll take charge ant get things done.
I just hope, I have what it takes, if I ever would get in such a situation. The only thing I can do is prepare myself as well as I can and hope it’s enough.
Unless you’ve ever actually killed someone, you have no idea under what circumstances you would do so. Those of you saying you’d kill to defend your family might freeze up in fear. You only have imagination.
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I found this thread while looking at somebody’s profile in another one. Years back I was in a situation in the middle of the night when we lived on Long Island where I had every reason to believe that I may have to draw down on somebody with the 12 gauge. My hands were shaking, my heart was beating out of my chest and I was praying I wouldn’t have shoot anybody. It turned out I didn’t have to after which I was psychologically frazzled for hours and never did get back to sleep that night.
Having said all that I was fully prepared to do it and with 3in. 00 magnum buckshot it would’ve been a practically sure kill with any center mass hit from across a room.
A situation I hope I never ever find myself in again.
[quote]malonetd wrote:
but anyone that has answered this thread hasn’t killed and anyone who has killed likely won’t respond.
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Not true.
I’m a former Infantry soldier and have been in the position of having to use my weapon. As a young man full of piss and wind I believed, like most of my peers, that I was invincible. As a much older man, I’m eternally thankful for the counselors and for my wife who held me when the nightmares came.
In the military, we trained every day to ingrain response without critical thought. I don’t believe there is any way in the civilian world to train yourself well enough to know what your response will be.
You may react as you believe you will or you may hesitate and contrary to CA Law’s position, this is a case where prior experience is not a guaranteed indicator of future performance.
[quote]pushharder wrote:
Varq, ye better be a-lookin’ fer an answer to whedder I’d be a-eatin’ ye heart after I killed ye not whedder I’d kill ye.
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That be “Bloody Varq” to ye, Pussbeard me old matey.
And I’d offer to do the same fer ye when I does ye in, only I doubt your heart’d make much of a meal, all black and shrivelly and no bigger than yer big thumb as it be.
I would if given a good reason. The only thing that stops me is my father-he’s doing life for a triple murder. Knowing that I have “killer blood” gives me pause when I get pissed off-but I would never want to be on the inside. Visiting a prison is bad enough, but at least you get to go home after a few hours.
[quote]tekgrl wrote:
I would if given a good reason. The only thing that stops me is my father-he’s doing life for a triple murder. Knowing that I have “killer blood” gives me pause when I get pissed off-but I would never want to be on the inside. Visiting a prison is bad enough, but at least you get to go home after a few hours.[/quote]
Bear in mind that every human extant is descended from butchers, rapists, and all the other nefarious victors of history. If anyone lacks the “killer blood” then they’re mutant offshoot of the tree of humanity, to be pruned back the next time things get truly nasty. This isn’t to say though that every individual who hasn’t, uh, devolved could actually carry out murder due to the effects of growing up in a soft society.