don't talk to the police ?

[Skiprr]

I believe it is a good idea (even if you are sure the BG is dead)) to ask dispatch to send medical help. It shows that your intent was to stop the BG not kill him.

+1 Somebody I know who lectures on this subject--but who will remain unnamed to protect the innocent should I misquote him--has advised that a request for emergency medical assitance be one of the first things you say to 911...assuming, of course, you believe that someone has been injured. It's logical. It's one of the first things you'd say to dispatch if you witnessed a bad car wreck or medical emergency...or if you saw some gangbanger shoot a pedestrian in a drive-by. If there is a leaking body on the ground, asking for an ambulance is a natural first-reaction, anyway, regardless of who held the gun that caused the leakage.

[Excaliber]

You do bring up an interesting point, and I'm glad you did. One of the things people generally say they will tell the 911 operator is that the BG is neutralized/stopped and that the situation is safe. Or they will want to help out by saying the BG was alone. Or that the BG is dead and there is nothing to worry about.

If a BG is down from your defensive fire, stating that "I see one assailant down and apparently in need of medical attention" is accurate and provides useful dispatch information without going into speculation.

Of course, you are correct. If you are among the .01% of the population that can give that, and only that, information, than by all means you should. How many other people do you think are going to follow up with "I didn't want to shoot him" or "Oh, my God, I can't believe I killed him"?

In my opinion, letting the dispatcher know that there has been a shooting is equivalent to telling them I need an ambulance. Perhaps a dispatcher can provide us more light upon the subject. I would assume an ambulance would be dispatched to just about any reported shooting.

In answer to the question posed in blue above, I would expect this group would include the vast majority of the folks who stopped their training when they completed the CHL requirements, figuring they had everything they needed to defend themselves.

Those who continue to train and learn can successfully prepare themselves to perform well in this area in the same way they do with the physical and tactical skills related to movement, cover, and accurate fire.

[CompVest]

We all know what assume means... I would never assume that just because a shooting was reported that an ambulance would be dispatched. Stating that someone had been shot might get one dispatched without asking but...

[boomerang]

What someone says to the dispatcher should change depending on what they want to accomplish. My primary goal is to get medical attention for me and any other innocents who need it. My secondary goal is to get the police to take care of the criminal. Someone else might have different goals.

I think it's important to rehearse what you want to do and say in different emergencies just like pilots do. I have a plan but I'm not going to share it in public where a DA or reporter can see it.

[Liberty]

thats the problem with the system i should not have to pay when i have done nothing wrong

The system ain't rigged for your benefit. It's for the good of attorneys on both sides. A never ending slot machine that always pays off somebody.

The main difference is that in Criminal court all the lawyers get paid regardless of who wins.

[stevie_d_64]

We all know what assume means... I would never assume that just because a shooting was reported that an ambulance would be dispatched. Stating that someone had been shot might get one dispatched without asking but...

You would be on record requesting such assistance...I believe that is admirable, regardless of the situation...

But thats just me...

Hopefully they won't record "Wife-Unit" telling me to reload...

"SHOOTER READY???"

[DoubleJ]

911 Dispatch: 911, what's your emergency?
Me: That ol' boy tried ta kill meh! send the fuzz and a meat wagon, he done bleeded all over tha couch.
Little Lady: Reload, dernit. you better retain that mag!
Me: Ready
*Beep*
*clackclack* *clackclack*
Me: What's mah time
911 Dispatch: oy... *hangs up*

[KD5NRH]

OTOH, even if you did cut the guy in half with a full-auto 8ga, (properly taxed, of course) don't tell the dispatcher to go ahead and wake up the JP. That just looks bad.

Same goes for the taxidermist.

[tarkus]

"I thought you said you shot him."
"I thought you said you didn't have anyone available."

[WildBill]

I think it's important to rehearse what you want to do and say in different emergencies just like pilots do.

Rehearsing and practicing what you want to do and say can also prevent you from doing or saying something that you shouldn't.