The topic of whether or not an armed citizen should intervene when they see something going down comes up frequently on gun forums and in articles. There is normally quite a bit of emotion involved, especially if someone says they would not get involved. While it may seem like a simple enough decision on the surface, the reality is that it is a very complex topic, and like all things associated with legally carrying a gun, it is one worth thinking about in advance. As with any situation that might result in a life-and-death encounter, there are many things to consider. Please understand, I am not advocating that you not intervene to help someone; I am simply saying that if you choose to do it, you have hopefully given it careful consideration beforehand. 

When Can You Intervene?

Generally speaking, you can conceivably use lethal force to protect someone who is in a situation where they could legally use it to defend themselves, but are unable to for whatever reason. They might be unarmed against an armed assailant, be at a severe physical disadvantage, or be grossly outnumbered in a disparity of force scenario. Having said that, laws vary from state to state, and I am not an attorney, so this is something you would need to research for yourselves. No matter how the encounter plays out in terms of the actual engagement, it will have to be legally justified to the police and prosecutor afterward.

Why Get Involved?

There are probably a few people who would get involved for the wrong reasons, but for most of us, we would step in to protect an innocent victim from a violent aggressor simply because it is the right thing to do. Unlike what some left-leaning people might claim, this is not the result of a vigilante complex; it is simply the reaction of a decent person who does not want a criminal or crazy to kill or injure someone. It is the same drive that causes someone to help people after a car crash or rush into a burning building to rescue a screaming child.

Context is Critical

Have you ever seen a 30-second video of a police officer shooting someone posted on social media, where they ask what you think? There is no way you can form an opinion because all you are seeing is a slice of the event with no context. The same thing can happen if you suddenly see a situation and must decide to intervene or not. Siding with the wrong party during an intervention can not only put you in a position to help the aggressor but can also lead to legal problems or worse.

Do You Know What Is Actually Going On?

If you are in a business when a robbery goes down, it is easy to know what is happening. The business is being robbed, and the robber is the bad guy. If you decide to intervene, the chances of being on the wrong side are pretty slim. On the other hand, if you come upon two people pointing guns at each other in a parking lot, you really have no idea what is going on. Who started it? Who is the aggressor, and who is just defending themselves?

Who Is The “Good Guy”?

I read an article recently where the author related that he was sitting at a table in a bar when he saw a woman yelling at a man seated at the bar. The man was ignoring her, but suddenly turned and grabbed her and started shaking her. The author sprang into action and knocked the man away. He only realized the woman was the aggressor and was attacking the man with a broken bottle when she suddenly attacked him. The bouncer intervened, the police arrested the woman, and the good Samaritan came away with a few cuts. But what if there had been a firearm involved?

How Did It Start?

Coming into a situation in the middle of the event is like starting a movie in the middle of a fight scene. You can see the fight going on, but you have no idea why they’re fighting or who started it. Are two drug dealers fighting over a blown deal, is a plainclothes cop trying to arrest a criminal, or is it a road rage incident, and who is the aggressor? Context is critical.

Where Does Your Responsibility Lie?

Most armed citizens feel a sense of responsibility to help another citizen who is being victimized to the point of death or grievous injury. There is no question that countless lives have been saved through the intervention of an armed citizen, especially in the case of active shooters. But it is also important to consider your other responsibilities. If you have loved ones with you, it is your responsibility to get them out of danger, especially if they are children. It might also be considered your responsibility to get unarmed friends out of danger, again, especially in an active shooter scenario. Even if you are alone and your family is safe at home, you still have a responsibility to come home to them alive. Remember that you are a spouse, parent, and breadwinner, and they love you and rely on you before you decide to get involved.

Do You Have the Necessary Skill Level?

Just having a gun does not make you a gunfighter. Even simple target shooting requires a certain level of skill, and actually taking part in a gunfight requires a heck of a lot more. Along with marksmanship, you should be skilled at drawing from concealment, manipulating your firearm, clearing malfunctions, shooting on the move, using cover, engaging multiple targets, and reloading, all while under extreme pressure. It is critical that you avoid the Dunning–Kruger effect and not overestimate your skills.

The Risks of Getting Involved

In many cases of an armed citizen intervening to help a stranger, it turns out well. No innocents are injured, the potential victim is saved, and the bad guy is stopped. But that is not always the case. On October 9, 2023, in Oakland, CA, a woman was going to her vehicle when a second vehicle pulled up, and a man got out. He pulled a gun and then physically attacked her. An armed citizen attempted to intervene when a second assailant got out of the vehicle and shot both the citizen and the victim. Fortunately, both survived, but the bad guys escaped. 

Sometimes it isn’t even the bad guy you have to worry about. On June 21, 2021, in Arvada, CO, an active shooter armed with a rifle killed 10 people, including a police officer, and wounded others. An armed citizen used his handgun to kill the shooter and stop the attack. However, when police arrived, although not pointing it at them, he still had his gun in his hand, and an officer mistook him for the shooter and killed him. His family received condolences, and he was posthumously declared a hero, but that was small compensation for the loss of their loved one.

What Does “Doing Nothing” Mean?

A comment you often see in these discussions is a variant on “I refuse to stand by and do nothing!” But the reality is, there are many ways to get involved without putting yourself in the middle of the situation. Calling 911 is getting involved, as is being a witness and taking note of the details of a robbery so you can help police with an accurate statement, preventing innocent people from unknowingly blundering into the situation, and getting your family out of harm’s way.

To Intervene or Not

The decision whether to intervene or not is yours and yours alone. Personally, in the majority of circumstances, I think my choice would be to intervene, but that is something you never know for sure until you evaluate the situation. This is why it is important to consider all the variables in advance so you can make an informed decision.