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I agree, if it's an instant decision to avoid a knife in the ribs then nobody could think ill of someone for instinctively protecting their life. It's more thi

I agree, if it's an instant decision to avoid a knife in the ribs then nobody could think ill of someone for instinctively protecting their life. It's more things like this I'm talking about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpjFsmTDWuQ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpjFsmTDWuQ It's obviously an extreme example but it illustrates the point, as does that business on the white house lawn. (Also I'd contend that in practice most knife-wielding assailants, far from being even moderately trained, are probably clueless and scared.)

harshreality 14y ago
Still, you don't want to bet your life that the assailant doesn't know how to wield a knife. I don't agree with shooting anyone who is brandishing a knife, but trying to disarm them is a horrible idea as well. As others have mentioned, using beanbag guns or a taser or tear gas or rubber bullets or just about any less-lethal option (with other officers ready to shoot if the assailant charges) is the best solution.