Shoot the Legs... Self-Defense Gun Law

Just “shoot the legs” is a somewhat hilarious trope and fudlore we have all heard when it comes to self-defense gun law but is there any merit to the advice? The Armed Attorneys Emily Taylor and Richard Hayes discuss this contentious topic and answer some of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to just shooting the legs…

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[life_with_bernie]

"I kept firing until I was sure they were no longer a threat." That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[tommissouri]

I worked at Emerson Electric long ago. They built TOW missile systems designed as anti-tank weapons. The story told is that the accuracy was so good, the original plan from Hughes was to shoot the tracks and wheels to immobilize a tank so it could be captured, repaired, and put into service against the enemy. So in front of a crowd of dignitaries, a remote-controlled tank came across a field and a TOW missile was fired at it, hitting the tracks, and immobilizing the tank. Big cheer from the crowd. The remote operator swung the turret around, and fired the blank round at the crowd.
When everyone got back up off the ground, they decided a redesign in strategy and the system was required.
Shooting him in the legs doesn't stop him from shooting you or anyone else.

[Persister]

You were "in fear for your life, " so you fired until the threat was stopped.

[lonniebeal]

Wounding would result in being sued and then revenged on later.

[Tonyhodges]

In the military I was taught Center Mass. In private life, it would be pelvic, Center Mass and head to stop a threat. Legs? Nope.

[muhlenberg]

You only have one chance to stop the threat. You have to make it count.

[rwparks]

I live in Tennessee, and we were taught during the concealed carry permit class taught by a deputy sheriff to eliminate the threat. Do not shoot to wound.

[stephenwalton]

Per the immortal Jeff Cooper.”You shoot to stop the threat. Shooting to, ’kill, ’implies make a judgement as to life or death.”

[itzwutitiz]

It's been over twenty years since I took my initial concealed carry class. My instructor's father and all three brothers were law enforcement officers. I'll never forget the answer she provided when asked for a definition of "stop the threat." She said, "Until you successfully stop the heart, you can never be sure that you have successfully stopped the threat." We laughed until we learned that failing to completely stop the threat is called "maiming", which can still "take your life" in a civil court case...just in a different way.

[shawnlively]

Stop the threat no matter what it takes.

[keithjones]

Have never seen a "training target" with legs, my targets are "torso targets" to train to "STOP" the threat.

[LarryEArnold]

Defendant: "I shot his leg so I wouldn't kill him."
Bullet hits femoral artery.
Prosecutor: "So you didn't reasonably believe you were in danger that justified killing him, but you did!"

[erikhoff]

As an Armed Guard for the past 20 years, our training from Day One is 2 shots Center Mass and 1 shot to the Head. Also, the 21 foot Rule applies.

[Rusterman-isex]

Two people can keep a secret, If one if them is dead.

[lucasdog]

I was told in concealed carry class, start at the pelvis and keep shooting as the muzzle rises.

[forefathersarms]

I was trained Shoot to Stop the threat.

[steventaylor]

The police empty a mag or two until threat goes away.... so shall civilians.

[CarlHermannFreese]

This is the way I put it:
- "Do not shoot to Warn."
- "Do not shoot to Wound."
- "Do not shoot to Kill."
- - "Shoot to Stop lethal force."

[antonyjharper]

Remember there’s no such thing as a fair fight! Fight to win!

[jreese]

The legs are each half the width of the torso and move more quickly, especially when your attacker isn't considerate enough to stand still and at attention, while trying to harm you. If you spend your time and efforts trying to preserve the person who is trying to harm you, you will fail to stop them from harming you. If you have the time to play those games, you probably didn't have the legal justification to employ deadly force.