# Would you shoot out three people's knee caps to save a loved one's life? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 12, 2015, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400 "2015-11-12T19:41:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/41 "2015-11-13T05:57:55Z")
Yanno, in a situation like this, I might just let loose my inner douchbag and decide according to who that president is that I’m hypothetically saving. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/42 "2015-11-13T15:17:11Z")
I think I remember the episode the OP mentions. Outside the US Embassy in London? I recall the bystanders being shot in the leg but not the kneecaps. It’s been awhile though. _Was_ it in the kneecaps? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/43 "2015-11-13T15:25:39Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I think I remember the episode the OP mentions. Outside the US Embassy in London? I recall the bystanders being shot in the leg but not the kneecaps. It’s been awhile though. _Was_ it in the kneecaps? Well, that’s what it looked like to me. Later on we find out he just grazed them. :rolleyes: Sure did’t look that way with all the blood gushing out. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/44 "2015-11-13T15:40:53Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > I will murder any other than my wife, stepdaughter, favorite niece, and baby sister if such is necessary to save my kids’ lives. > > Merely crippling somebody? Please. > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I’d ask her afterward. In the meantime, I suggest you not stand near me during any situation that could lead to her being in peril. This is the reason I own guns. To protect me from “good” people like you. By this logic, I should preemptively kill you both (and several others in this thread) because you might someday shoot my family to save yours. So I have to first kill you to save my family. My conscience is clear - you’ve _already_ threatened me. There is a clear and present danger to me or my family. You people are sick. > [@dracoi](#): > > (On a related note: It’s this kind of thing in 24 that convinced me Bauer should be put in prison, not lauded as a hero. The guy can’t buy a latte without breaking two laws and harming an innocent bystander.) It’s the reason I quit watching after S1. Prison? The man should be killed, for the safety of all that is good. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/45 "2015-11-13T15:51:28Z")
Is my loved one trapped in a burning car, covered in flaming acid glue? Is he the next Hitler? ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/46 "2015-11-13T15:54:09Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > This is the reason I own guns. To protect me from “good” people like you. By this logic, I should preemptively kill you both (and several others in this thread) because you might someday shoot my family to save yours. So I have to first kill you to save my family. My conscience is clear - you’ve _already_ threatened me. There is a clear and present danger to me or my family. You people are sick. I do find it rather disturbing that so many people would be willing to not only cripple innocent people for life but flat out murder innocent people to save their loved ones. And then to post it here as if they were proud of the fact. Very surprising. Did not expect to see the above poll results. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/47 "2015-11-13T16:08:05Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > You gotta figure those “innocent” people were guilty of _something_ at some point in their lives. So the kneecaps kind of had it coming. Everybody speeds. Everyone is guilty. Kill them all. > [@Grrr](#): > > I do find it rather disturbing that so many people would be willing to not only cripple innocent people for life but flat out murder innocent people to save their loved ones. I too find it disturbing that so many would cripple, for life, innocent people. They are putting a gigantic burden on that person and their loved ones. I think it’s much more compassionate to just kill the innocent people to save the loved one. Which is what I would do. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/48 "2015-11-13T16:08:29Z")
If I tried it, I would wind up shooting myself in the foot, and I don’t see how that would help. I don’t watch the show - what was the premise of the scenario, where shooting people in the kneecap prevented the assassination? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/49 "2015-11-13T16:14:23Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > If I tried it, I would wind up shooting myself in the foot, and I don’t see how that would help. > > I don’t watch the show - what was the premise of the scenario, where shooting people in the kneecap prevented the assassination? > > Regards, > Shodan The show is irrelevant. It was merely an inspiration for this thread. The actual hypothetical posed has very little in common with what went on in the show. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/50 "2015-11-13T16:23:58Z")
All polls attached to a hypothetical should include an option for “I don’t participate in hypotheticals”. I like to vote, I don’t like to think. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/51 "2015-11-13T16:40:28Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I do find it rather disturbing that so many people would be willing to not only cripple innocent people for life but flat out murder innocent people to save their loved ones. And then to post it here as if they were proud of the fact. > > Very surprising. Did not expect to see the above poll results. Really? You live in a world where people shoot people over a line at the gas station or to get a crappy TV for half price on Black Friday and this surprises you? How does someone with access to news sources maintain that level of naivety? ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/52 "2015-11-13T17:13:50Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > This is the reason I own guns. To protect me from “good” people like you. By this logic, I should preemptively kill you both (and several others in this thread) because you might someday shoot my family to save yours. So I have to first kill you to save my family. My conscience is clear - you’ve _already_ threatened me. There is a clear and present danger to me or my family. You people are sick. > > … This is why I don’t answer hypothetical questions. I don’t want JAQ hunting me down like a dog. FTR- JAQ, I only want good things for you and your loved ones. Uh, that goes for anyone else out there with guns. Oh, WTH, God bless us all, everyone! ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/53 "2015-11-13T17:37:36Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > This is the reason I own guns. To protect me from “good” people like you. Are…are you calling me good? Don’t make me do the thing with teh gizmo. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/54 "2015-11-13T17:58:43Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Are…are you calling me good? > > Don’t make me do the thing with teh gizmo. It _was_ in quotes. Or, “quotes”. We’re good. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/55 "2015-11-13T17:59:52Z")
> [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](#): > > This is why I don’t answer hypothetical questions. I don’t want JAQ hunting me down like a dog. > > FTR- JAQ, I only want good things for you and your loved ones. Uh, that goes for anyone else out there with guns. Oh, WTH, God bless us all, everyone! 🙂 Don’t worry. I’m just fighting the hypothetical. With guns! ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/56 "2015-11-13T18:23:46Z")
I will apply one of my favourite principles and assume people willing to blow off kneecaps simply want to blow off kneecaps anyway. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/57 "2015-11-13T19:02:26Z")
Well, yeah. That’s what we call an “independent good.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/58 "2015-11-13T23:55:24Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > I will apply one of my favourite principles and assume people willing to blow off kneecaps simply want to blow off kneecaps anyway. Well, not _everyone’s_ kneecaps. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2015, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/59 "2015-11-14T00:11:39Z")
> [@Doctor\_Jackson](#): > > All polls attached to a hypothetical should include an option for “I don’t participate in hypotheticals”. I like to vote, I don’t like to think. I think the option you want is there: “_I’m going to be difficult and fight the hypothetical._” 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2015, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400/60 "2015-11-14T02:25:59Z")
I’m sure as hell going to fight the agency behind the hypothetical! If I ever meet the bastard who is compelling people to make these kinds of choices, pow!, his kneecaps are the least of his worries! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-shoot-out-three-peoples-knee-caps-to-save-a-loved-ones-life/737400.md?page=4)