If you Conceal Carry a Gun what is Your Personal ROE?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs great question as we all will be held to different standards depending upon prior and current training. My wife with zero LE or military training will be given more latitude than I or CPO Frank Coluccio will receive in the event of a self-defensive shooting situation. An imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to me or another from which I/we cannot reasonably escape will determine if I shoot/don't shoot, not whether I unholster a weapon. Being former LE, I train and maintain weapons proficiency, review the Use of Force Continuum, AND maintain Platinum Plus membership with the USCCA. As I once carried a Miranda warning card on duty, I now carry and regularly review the Defensive Shooting Guidelines for the Responsibly Armed Citizen and Post-Incident Instructions. I also have the USCCA's Critical Response Team's number entered into my and my wife's cell phone. Our ROE for surviving (physically, mentally, financially) a self-defense shooting incident extends for months and perhaps years long after the smoke has cleared should, God forbid but the bad guy(s) ignore, it ever comes to that.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs, while living in Alaska (Constitutional carry state), I carried my firearm in austere/dangerous areas. My ROE was simple. 1.) Never draw your weapon or flash (although open carried) your weapon unless you're going to shoot. 2.) Diplomacy first. Talk or negotiate out of the situation. 3.) Try not to get involved in situations or intervene in issues not directly threatening your own personal safety. That is what the Police is for. 4.) If you're going to shoot - shoot to kill.

With #4, if witnesses are around - you better be very well in the right (self-defense) to have pulled the trigger. And know and understand all gun-laws at the State and Local level before just randomly deciding to carry and/or engage others with a firearm. I fully support the 2nd Amendment, but I also endorse common-sense gun laws. Not everyone should have them, nor is everyone competent enough to carry one. Its just simple facts.

Very intriguing question, and one that more people probably should be asking themselves. As with most situations in the military, it had a lot to do with "METT-C." Every situation is unique. For me, I would only use mine if myself or someone within my immediate vicinity is in mortal danger. And if I do use my gun it will be because I feel the possibilty of injury or death is highly probable. I also like to think that if I do end up in that situation I would do my best to shoot to incapacitate.
There really isn't much escalation you can use. You should never fire a "warning" shot because you don't know where that bullet can end up. In this case it's basically an all or none response.

COL Mikel J. Burroughs First thing is knowing the state laws. Every state sets its own statutes for use of lethal force by CCW/P/WP holders. Second is not drawing that sidearm unless it is a situation where it is needed. Third, one must be prepared to be taken into police custody upon discharge of their weapon. I am not saying that one will be charged, or even transported to the police station, but police rolling up on a scene are not going to know good guys from bad guys.

So those things being said, my personal ROE are as follows

1. Come into my house in the middle of the night uninvited, I am presuming you intend to cause bodily harm to my family, and will respond accordingly
2. In public, you will not know that I am carrying my sidearm, until the time arises that it is needed.
3. Property is not worth taking a life.
4. I will protect myself, my family, and my friends with lethal force if necessary.
5. I will protect the life of a stranger if it is blatantly obvious that failure to intervene will result in the death, or rape of that individual.
6. If I am not certain as to the circumstances of a situation, I will observe at a distance insuring that my family is protected, but I will not interject myself into the situation, unless it escalates to meet rule 5.
7. If there is any doubt in my mind as to whether or not lethal force is justified, I will err on the side of caution.
8. I will maintain my sidearm in good working order, and maintain my own familiarity with the weapon.
9. I will train regularly to insure that I am prepared should a situation arise that requires me to use my weapon.

This is all just common sense stuff. The long and the short of it is, when in doubt keep the weapon holstered. As for the consequences, outside of those who have been forced to take a life whether in defense of their nation, defense of another, or defense of themselves, nobody knows if they are prepared for the emotional consequences of taking another human being's life. Movies make it seem like whether protagonist or antagonist, it is nothing to take the life of another person. Consequences are rarely included because it does not make for a compelling film.
As for the legal consequences, at a minimum be prepared to be handcuffed, taken into custody, and placed in the back of a police car while Law Enforcement officers sort out the events leading up to the use of lethal force. When in doubt shut up. Don't say anything. Before speaking take a moment to sort through what happened in your own mind. One should be prepared to be treated as a suspect rather than a victim in the immediate aftermath of a self defense shooting. Again, until put in that situation, nobody really knows how they will react.

My ROE is to use lethal force as a last resort within the laws of my local government. If I am forced to draw my weapon, I will not hesitate to use it. I am prepared to face any consequences I will face legally and psychologically.

My ROE for using a firearm in self defence is as follows:
My first action is to learn every facet of the law pertaining to this subject and have copies of these laws close buy wherever I am.
Maintain situational awareness and presence of mind.
Quickly assess the situation, use diplomacy and tact to diffuse the situation and threat.
If presented with a situation where I have no choice but to defend myself and family, only then will I draw my weapon and shoot to kill.
After discharging my weapon, call the police and inform them of the situation and follow their directions.

Pretty straightforward stuff. I believe it is not enough to solely rely upon information given at concealed carry classes, but to also follow up with local authorities and reliable legal counsel.

Let the local police officer handle the situation unless he is too far away. Then do what is necessary.

I'm into the carry it with you out the window, down the road, etc. unless there is no out. Then double tap center mass. Reason is there's far less paperwork for you to do if you let the LEO do the shooting for you. BTW, you can have great quality family time by spending range time together.

As a 25 yr MP my ROE is pretty much the same as it was when working post LE duties. The only change for me is now my unarmed self defense skills are quite diminished. As for shooting/killing someone in defense of others or myself, I'm good with that.
I am speaking about this a lot to people recently. It seems to be a hot topic. The point that I stress a lot these days is about round accountability. Know your backdrop and know where every round will finally come to rest. I will always do everything I can to ensure that my shots will not strike an unintended target.

anyone who answers this questions then gets involved in a situation and does not follow the way you said you would do it can you be sued for posting your answer? My Lawyer wants to know....................

Thought is simple, if I pull, you are not going to live. I will do everything, including conceding I am wrong, at fault, etc.., to avoid it. I am by no means a pacifist, but if push comes to shove, or you endanger my family... Dead men tell no tales.

One thing to note, I do not intentionally seek situations where issues could arise, I tend to be situationally aware, trusting my gut feelings and listening to that small voice inside. It has served me well of the past 36 years.