OK, I will admit it, I am a fat old man. that means some see me as big.
No one feels threatened by me, but some big men actually do cause that reaction in people. Especially during some kind of altercation.
Yet is someone’s size enough to justify lethal force?
Frankly, it would probably depend on the situation. As a general rule, someone just arguing with you who happens to be huge isn’t going to be enough to justify feeling afraid for your life.
Here is a real-world example.
Our story
An argument started between neighbors; one a 31-year-old man and the other a 75-year-old. This issue of the arguments was damage the neighbor’s child had allegedly caused to the 75-year-old man’s car.
Complicating the situation was the 31-year-old was a 300-pound man and the 75-year-old man was armed.
Witnesses describe the older man first pulling the .380 handgun and pointing it at the bigger man saying “I’ll (expletive) kill you.” The older man was then described as dashing into his residence and emerging armed with the shotgun, cocked and held at the “ready position.”
The Police Review
The police didn’t buy the older man’s logic. The older man in question is in jail charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated assault.
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Our Review
I get being intimidated by a guy who at least appears to be 300 pounds. As I said, I am a fat old man. I definitely don’t want to get into a brawl with the dude, that’s for sure.
However, nothing in the report suggests any kind of an actual threat.
Just being big isn’t enough to justify someone pulling a gun on them. Unfortunately, I know plenty of people who may well think that way. “I’m too old to take a butt-whoopin’,” some say. However, this wasn’t even to that point.
Let’s be real, it’s was an argument. If you don’t want to argue with a 300-pound man, then don’t.
This sparked off because of supposed damage to the older man’s car. What he should have done is called the police and let them handle it. He didn’t. Instead, he apparently confronted the neighbor’s child, thus prompting the large neighbor to get involved.
Grab Your mug while they last.
Regardless, though, a big guy isn’t grounds to fear for your life. Especially if he’s not making active threats against you. If he screams, “I’m going to rip you in half” and you’re on the small side, then, maybe, but not just arguing.
Unfortunately, people don’t know how to cope with disagreement these days, and that includes many gun owners.
Folks, don’t do this. Size matters, sure, but it doesn’t count as a weapon in and of itself, so don’t make a fool of yourself because you’re afraid. Learn to handle yourself. Learn how to deescalate a situation. Don’t think a gun is a problem solver for every situation and make the rest of us look bad, OK?
Credits
The inspiration for this blog was Bearing Arms.