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BLouie wrote:Thanks to everyone for the feedback. This was a life changing experience for me. The lesser part being the actual confrontation, the more significant and painfull part being the legal process.

This event occurred in Montgomery County and the arresting department was the Constables Office. I've had mixed reaction from people regarding the event. Most people I know feel my actions were justified and reasonable but some feel that I had no place pursuing and detaining the individuals. On my own behalf, I have always considered concealed carry as a great responsibility, and to that end attempted to be very well versed in the appropriate use of force and deadly force. In this particular scenario, I relied on my understanding of PC 9.51(b) which states "...A person other than a peace officer is justified in the use of force against another when and to the degree the actor deems is reasonably necessary to make or assist in making a lawfull arrest..." I am not one to run around playing police officer, but I believed that a crime had occurred against me and that had I not pursued the individuals as the fled that there would be no chance of police catching them.

I do feel that I got a raw deal, but that's just the way things go sometimes. I had other options available to me. I made my decisions in the heat of the moment, in good faith with the intention of being a good citizen. My experience only reinforces the extraordinary responsibility that comes with a CHL and the realization that such responsibility comes with equally extraordinary consequences.

Thanks again for the feedback.