[b]Question:[/b]

You're walking down a deserted street with your wife and two small children.

Suddenly, a dangerous looking man with a huge knife comes around the corner and is running at you while screaming obscenities.

In your hand is a .357 Magnum and you are an expert shot. You have mere seconds before he reaches you and your family.

What do you do?


[b]Liberal Answer:[/b]

Well, that's not enough information to answer the question!

Does the man look poor or oppressed? Have I ever done anything to him that is inspiring him to attack? Could we run away? What does my wife think? What about the kids? Could I possibly swing the gun like a club and knock the knife out of his hand? What does the law say about this situation? Is it possible he'd be happy with just killing me? Does he definitely want to kill me or would he just be content to wound me? If I were to grab his knees and hold on, could my family get away while he was stabbing me?

This is all so confusing! I need to debate this with some friends for a few days to try to come to a conclusion.


[b]Conservative Answer:[/b]

Shoot the son of a bitch!

Then take your family to a baseball game, eat some hot dogs with apple pie, sing the national anthem, go to church and praise the Lord for one more day of freedom.

[b]~Pablo[/b]

ban big evil knives and guys in alleys.

Screw the .357 Mag. Hit the s.o.b with a couple of 50 cal rounds out of my desert eagle.

[sniper]

Hmmm:

Would that man be dressed as a chef or butcher and, regardless of dress, could he be running away from robbers?

Is it Halloween?

Could a naive jury accept a spurious plaintiff's argument and wonder why you didn't shoot the knife from his hands?

How many little winged creatures can dance on the head of a pin?

But what about all the Tae Bo classes Wifey, the soccer mom has been taking?  Surely she could disarm and control this perp while the kids dialed 911.

Answer:  Let the kid take the shot.  He's young (a minor) so they'll probably let him walk.  Also, good habits start YOUNG.