say what you're thinking

[wolf]

Originally posted by hot_pastrami
Is it ever appropriate to unholster the gun and not pull the trigger?

Absolutely. The majority of defensive uses of firearms do NOT involve shots being fired. According to a 1994 National Institute of Justice Survey of Private Ownership and use of firearms there were 1.5 MILLION defensive uses/year Another study by Gary Kleck puts that number at 2.5 million. The NJI study suggested that 130,000 criminals are shot or wounded in the course of defensive uses.

A handgun (or rifle or shotgun or whatever) is not a samurai sword. You're not dishonoring it by sheathing it unblooded.

Using it as a blunt instrument, though, is totally not recommended. Even if you have the safety engaged, it's not an effective hammer.

If you're not willing to face the possibility of killing someone in defense of your own life, you shouldn't be carrying a gun.