Could you kill someone?

[psychokillerornotkiller]

I was at a social event where a we were talking about gun crime in America. One woman said she had lived in America and was talking to an American women who had a gun which she said was for self defence. The woman at the social do said she said to her, ' But could you really kill someone with it?' To which the American woman apparently went silent, and the British woman at the social do declared, ' It was like she have never really thought about that!'.

The clear implication of the British woman's argument was that, of course no right minded person could shoot anyone, so there is not point in having a gun.

But I thought, ' I could kill someone. If someone was coming to kill me, and they were fair minded enough to give me time to reach into my bag and retrieve my gun, I would shoot them. And if they were coming for my child I would definitely shoot them. |I might be traumatised afterwards, but I would shoot them.'

I'd always assumed everyone was like me. But the British woman obviously assumes everyone is like her.

So, in genuine curiosity as to find out whether I am an outlying psycho, I thought I would put it to the vote.

YABU - I could never kill anyone
YANBU - I could kill someone.

Yes I do know how to do that, but I would use my legs to kick, as it would be quicker and more effective.

This

I think so. An "interesting" childhood and then another trauma in my early 20s left me emotionally numb. Having children has given me some empathy, but I'm still lacking on that front. Ultimately I don't value my life...so why would I value a stranger's? Hope I never have to find out but I suspect in the right circumstances I wouldn't think twice.

If they were attacking my child, yes. I know that red-hot rage would have descended and if I had the physical capacity in me to kill them I would. I would certainly try .

I'm so, so sorry. And I would do the same as you.

Absolutely. Had plenty of lessons and I am good shot too although obviously I'd need my own gun 😂

I think it's fair to say some people think they could, but in the heat of the moment they couldn't. I absolutely know i could and would . Better that than they kill my loved ones or me.

I think this is a question that nobody can truly answer until they're in that situation. I like to think that if I seriously believed someone was going to kill me or one of my children and I had the means to do so then I would kill him, but you just don't know how you will react - Fight, Flight or Freeze.

@HelpMeGetThrough

self restraint is over rated, I suspect the world would be a better place if we just culled a few!!

Yeah I thought the same until I got seriously ill (multiple organ failure)- reality is you are too ill and incapable and want to spend the most amount of time you have with people you love.

Lucky I've bounced back and gave me prospective of people aren't worth the negative energy.

in theory I could shoot someone if they were hurting/raping/intent on killing A child (wouldn't even need to be one of mine) or anyone I love. I'd have to hope the red mist & adrenalin strength kicked in to do it in a more physical way.

I wouldn't even feel guilty.

it would be down to my body's response though. last time I was in a 'situation' & tried to scream, I froze - instantly..

I’m sure I could. I struggle with empathy at the best of times, so if the situation called for it, I don’t think I’d have any issues.
“Would I?” Is a different matter though - I’m very scared about the idea of being arrested/going to prison. So if anything stopped me, it would be that rather than any moral compunction.

Fuck, I'd kill him too.

I hope your daughter is doing ok

Oh dear! Luckily it's probably unlikely I'll ever find myself in a situation where I have both the means and the certainty that I would definitely not be caught so my targets will probably remain safe and sound (annoyingly!).

But is there really nobody you would hurt if you were offered the opportunity without any consequence to yourself at all? Someone who once hurt you? Or your friend / family / child? Someone like Putin, or a rapist or child or animal abuser? Left to my own devices I would be quite the karmic comeuppance!

Yes! If someone was trying to kill/rape/mutilate someone I loved I really don't think I would hesitate. If somebody was trying to kill a beloved pet also. I would try to keep it to serious damage in both cases but the red mist might descend.

I guess I don't really think about murdering people like Putin, though I certainly would think it were justice if he were.

As for people in my life, there are people I would like to fuck right off out of my life and never see them again. But I think about that in terms of them moving to some far flung part of the planet, rather than me actually murdering them.

What weapon? Or are we slowly poisoning someone?

I don’t think I’d have the actual strength to say beat someone to death.

Am I vindictive enough to slowly poison say someone who harmed my kids, yeah. Would I shoot or stab someone who invaded my home and was armed, yes.

My children also train daily with various weapons.

There isn't for me and one of my children was abused by someone. I wanted them to suffer the full the wrath of the law but I wouldn't and didn't think about killing them. I have never felt rage like I did towards that person but my rage was directed at getting them prosecuted and ruining their life.

I just don't think I could physically do it. Watch the life drain out of someone's eyes and know that it was me responsible for it. I don't think I could live with myself if I did.

Care to explain?

Is it bad that when I read the title of this thread I thought...

"Probably. I've heard it takes a lot of physical effort to strangle someone because you've not only got to grip hard, but also maintain it for a good length of time while they completely sufficate. But I reckon I could because I'm great at getting tight lids off pickle jars".

I'm a bit shocked I thought this. I'm a bit scared of me now.

Yes I'd kill but only for my family.

I don't think it's black and white. I don't think anyone knows what they're capable until they're in the situation.

Without a moment’s hesitation or a second’s remorse.

Hitman/woman? 🤔

I'm not sure if I would murder Putin if he was in front of me, though I would have to think about it - am I more evil to kill him or not to kill him? Obviously, this is a situation where he was unarmed and without security but I was for some reason unable to call the authorities, which is what I would actually do! The people I think I probably would kill if I had the opportunity are people that have caused myself or my loved ones significant pain and gotten away with it. I think it's the getting away with it that may be key, the walking around and laughing at what they've done. I do just want to clarify that I am not actually planning on killing anyone, it is more a fantasy I have when I'm reminded of what they've done and I merrily daydream for a minute or two what I'd do if I were able! Then I go back to my peaceful life... interestingly, I just found a tiny bug in my sink and very carefully scooped him out and relocated him whilst musing on the fact that I was going to so much effort to save this bloody insect when I was about to sit back down and write about how much I really wanted to do some murdering! 😂😂