I checked all the “yes” answers, because I can conceive of circumstances within each description where I would. That doesn’t mean that all circumstances meeting the description could lead to my killing someone. There are many wars I would refuse to fight, for example.
I find it a little strange that “war” gets more affirmative answers than “situation not listed.” Really? You can imagine killing in defense of self or family (I presume), and in the service of a military cause, but not for any other reason?
Really. Any death I might cause that isn’t in self-defense or during war (which, depending on the nature of the war, can be considered self-defense) would be accidental, not intentional.
Damn, clicked “Yes, if I felt the life of a family member / loved one was threatened” alone before I saw “Click all that apply.” Add one to all of the other yeses, please.
To protect someone I care about (family, friend): absolutely. I’ve been in that position and had I not been restrained by others, I would have killed the bastard. Lucky for us all, my reaction took the wind out of his sails.
Another set of votes for “all the yeses.” Other situations not listed include: fit of passion, revenge, money, and - the most telling absence from the list - because some folks just need killin’.
I don’t love this about myself, but I could. What scares me is it probably wouldn’t take much. I have a very tenuous grip on my temper, and have gotten myself into enough pickles to be amazed I’m still walking around. A number of years ago, I hurt one of my neighbors pretty badly because he said something to my wife I felt was inappropriate. Afterward, I felt horrible, because no matter what my perception was, he didn’t deserve what I did. I don’t know how far I’d go when I’m set off, so I avoid potentially uncomfortable/volatile situations as much as possible. But yeah, I could kill someone, and I wouldn’t need a gun.
Of course the first three. Though, war would be difficult. I can’t even go there.
Emotionally, it would be easier to kill a man preying on me or my family than an animal (bear, mountain lion). A man that may be trying to hurt me or my family is beyond reason. An animal may only be following its natural instincts.
Well, that’s perhaps a little to clear cut. I don’t know how I would feel. I have had to put small animals down and it sucks. But sometimes ya gota do what ya gotta do.
I would assume that a man that put me in such a position that threatened me to the point that I might actually have to kill them is so severely broken that, well, it’s him or me.
At the risk of sounding like an internet tough guy, anyone or thing that threatens harm to my family will get my full attention.
I don’t really know what that situation would be, and I certainly don’t expect to kill anyone. But given human history and the millions upon millions of humans who have killed other humans, I am reasonably sure that under some conditions I would be able to kill someone. Apparently it is not as difficult as many people seem to think.
Let’s just say it’s easier than you’d think. I know a lot of guys with PTSD from living under constant threat of death. I don’t know any that have PTSD, or hell, even a hang-up from shooting somebody.
Been in at least a few situations where it was a real possibility that I might have to. Gave me the shakes later. A detached part of my mind was thinking, “What the fuck, man? I don’t want to have to hurt or kill you,” while dealing with the attack.
I’m part of the way through an S.M. Stirling book, and it’s kind of funny that a description of his nails the feeling. You get all indignant about the fact that someone’s actually trying to kill you. You don’t really have time to feel afraid while you’re actually in the situation. Before and after is when you feel deathly ill to your stomach and want to shit your pants. During, you’re too busy not getting killed.
I really, really hope I never have to actually kill a person. Just the close calls I’ve had in the course of dealing with violence were bad enough.
