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Citizens Arrest
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 2:51 pm
by LSUTiger
I can't say I agree with the video but it does bring up an interesting topic. I wouldn't go out looking to do such a risky thing but I think given the right circumstances it is reasonable to attempt to detain an individual until the police arrived.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_An0t8prLZY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 2:59 pm
by Javier730
James Yeager

Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 3:06 pm
by RoyGBiv
Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 3:12 pm
by LSUTiger
Javier730 wrote:James Yeager

Let''s try not lose focus on the topic, whether you like James Yeager or not is entirely up to you, I did think it was an interesting topic worth discussing.
Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 3:15 pm
by Javier730
Can you do it? Sure you can if a felony is being committed. Should you do it? Probably not. Do not try to use your body to physically detain them, because you could end up in a wrestling match for your life. As a non LEO, you probably don't have handcuffs or backup so the threat really never ends for you. You also have to consider how the police will react when they see you with your gun drawn if you are detaining at gun point. Having personally temporarily detained someone and it not go so well, I would advise if you feel like you must intervene because someone is in danger and you are not one to stand idly by, stop the threat then be a good witness.
Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 3:16 pm
by Javier730
LSUTiger wrote:Javier730 wrote:James Yeager

Let''s try not lose focus on the topic, whether you like James Yeager or not is entirely up to you, I did think it was an interesting topic worth discussing.
Sorry about that, I couldn't resist.
Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 3:17 pm
by Taypo
Javier730 wrote:Can you do it? Sure you can if a felony is being committed. Should you do it? Probably not. Do not try to use your body to physically detain them, because you could end up in a wrestling match for your life. As a non LEO, you probably don't have handcuffs or backup so the threat really never ends for you. You also have to consider how the police will react when they see you with your gun drawn if you are detaining at gun point. Having personally temporarily detained someone and it not go so well, I would advise if you feel like you must intervene because someone is in danger and you are not one to stand idly by, stop the threat then be a good witness.
Exactly what I was thinking.
Citizens arrest trends too far into Batman Badge territory for me. If the threat is over or not a gun isn't justified, then get as many details as you can and call the pros.
Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 4:02 pm
by MechAg94
You also would be liable if the suspect claimed injury. At the least, the system could be used against you. The law and courts are set up to discourage vigilantism almost more than actual crime.
Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 4:30 pm
by Keith B
[video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efgLHgsBmM[/video]
In all seriousness, you can do it. And, if I stopped a robbery with my CCW, I had the perp on the ground and the they wanted to know if I was a LEO, I would just tell them 'You are under arrest. Be quiet and wait until the uniformed officers arrived.'
Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Thu May 14, 2015 5:45 pm
by C-dub
Exactly what I thought of when seeing the title.

Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 10:44 am
by VMI77
Keith B wrote:In all seriousness, you can do it. And, if I stopped a robbery with my CCW, I had the perp on the ground and the they wanted to know if I was a LEO, I would just tell them 'You are under arrest. Be quiet and wait until the uniformed officers arrived.'
That's an excellent line.

Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 11:11 am
by LSUTiger
Keith B wrote:[video]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9efgLHgsBmM[/video]
In all seriousness, you can do it. And, if I stopped a robbery with my CCW, I had the perp on the ground and the they wanted to know if I was a LEO, I would just tell them 'You are under arrest. Be quiet and wait until the uniformed officers arrived.'
Now that's funny. I love the Andy Griffith Show.
True story. A couple of years ago my relatives in the Woodlands awoke one night to two people fighting in their front yard. It was the neighbor and some 18 yr old guy who had broken into his house and was attempting to flee the scene with a few stolen items. The neighbor gave chase and tackled him in the yard and a struggle ensued. My relative went out to see what was going on and helped detain the BG until the police arrived.
AFAIK, the police arrested the BG. No one was hurt.
In his circumstances, especially being unarmed, the neighbor took a big risk giving chase for a few stolen items.
Under those circumstances, with no one hurt, only unarmed burglary interrupted, I would have tried to detain the BG in my house using my gun but would not have given chase if he attempted to flee. Now that's assuming the BG with unknown items in hand is not justifiably taken as a deadly threat and immediately neutralized.
Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 11:39 am
by mojo84
I prefer to go into a phone booth to change before I effect a citizen's arrest.
Here is a picture of one for you young ones among us.

Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 11:45 am
by cb1000rider
You know that's a Tardus variant, right? It's bigger on the inside.
Re: Citizens Arrest
Posted: Fri May 15, 2015 11:49 am
by mojo84
I need the extra room. It's not easy for a guy like me to get those tights on.