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WHY do people who use their handgun in self defense matters keep giving interviews to the news media? Is "no comment" no longer acceptable?

And with all the people who shout "I don't have to tell the cops anything--it's my right"--it seems that someone would realize that anything they say in the media can ALSO be used against them-if not in a court of law--at least in the court of public opinion.

It just seems to me that if I were involved in something like this, I would want to keep as low a profile as possible. I don't want my name out there-and I sure don't think I should be on video giving interviews and opening myself up to second guessing and criticism.

People will do anything to get on television. They simply lose all judgment when they see a TV camera and a microphone. You only have to look at Donald Trump or the "balloon boy" incident.

It's pretty stupid, when you realize that there are about a thousand cable TV channels broadcasting 24/7. Someone getting on TV is no more likely to be noticed than one ant in an anthill.

- Jim

"Officer he pointed a weapon at me and I shot him in self defense. I'm not feeling very good, could you please call me an ambulance." Then call your lawyer.

Yeah, just look at how many are willing to air their idiocy on Jerry Springer or Maury Povich

fishman wrote:"Officer he pointed a weapon at me and I shot him in self defense. I'm not feeling very good, could you please call me an ambulance." Then call your lawyer.

Exactly!!! And don't go on the news and re-enact it!

Keith B wrote:Yeah, just look at how many are willing to air their idiocy on Jerry Springer or Maury Povich

At my old Police Department, they were able to make a positive ID on a suspect using the Jerry Springer Show. It was funny.

Some people from my town were on that show, it was in the papers announcing the upcoming airing of them on Jerry Springer. It just happens that the day that it aired, the officers made a drug arrest from that very household. The guy arrested was an out of town guest. When the show came on, the Sgt brought him out of the holding cell and asked him if the guy on Jerry Springer was the one who sold him the drugs. The guy was almost jumping up and down, saying "OMG it's him, that's the dude who hooked me up" He was estatic that his drug buddy was on Jerry Springer...

Good times.

I think it's a sad state of affairs that the OP is correct. While I don't think we should trumpet having to defend oneself, I don't feel like we should have to hide from it either. But I agree completely, I would never open myself up to that kind of public scrutiny.

I don't think the OP is incorrect to be concerned about the downsides of making the actions public. As he mentioned, you could accidentally let slip something that could be twisted against you (assuming a justified shoot in the first place). You may also be making it easier for a friend of family member (or even fellow gang member) to find a way to exact vengeance on you.

However, on the other side of the coin, TV interviews about successful self defense shootings can help bolster the whole concept of self-defense in the eyes of the public. Now I know that the MSM is more likely than not to slant the story and talk about what a good kid the thug was and how he just needed a leg up and all of that. But if they are going to say that, they are going to say it anyway - whether they interview the would be victim or not. An articulate interview by a normal looking person can have quite the impact on the public. Just playing the Devil's advocate.

Keith B wrote:Yeah, just look at how many are willing to air their idiocy on Jerry Springer or Maury Povich

You mean those are real? Not staged events with paid actors?

terryg wrote:An articulate interview by a normal looking person can have quite the impact on the public.

I don't disagree with what you are saying, but the producers of the show have enormous power to make any subject of an interview look bad, if they want to do that.

Years ago I worked for a large company (which shall remain unnamed) that was sued by an idiot. One of the national network news shows (which shall also remain unnamed) interviewed the plaintiff and a company lawyer.

The company had a session for employees in which they showed the entire videotaped interview and what went on the air.

In the full-length interview the lawyer was articulate and defended the company's position in a way that any unbiased person could understand.

The TV program used literally seconds-long sound bites that made the lawyer sound like a fatherless cold-blooded reptile. They also showed the plaintiff in a light that made him pitiful and portrayed him as the victim of this horrible corporate evildoer. (I think the company eventually paid the guy some shut-up-and-go-away money, but the negative publicity was bad.)

This was my great revelation to the fact that TV does not show what happened. It shows what the producers want you to see.

Remember that the interviewer will be practiced, wearing makeup, and on a first-name basis with his or her crew. You may well be anxious, short on sleep, not wearing your Sunday best, and need a haircut. Also if you have any peeling paint on your house, they will be sure to get that in the picture.

- Jim

You are right, Justme.

Not only do they open themselves up to criticism they open themselves up
to every vindictive and spiteful person who sees the news.

I guess it just struck me as close to home. First the girl up in Blanchard(my sister lives there) and then last week a family was murdered here in town--and I knew one of them(not close, but was an aquaintance)

I saw the girl from Blanchard on Dr. Phil the other day and she is really suffering now--as compared to the first few "local" news shows where she was just talking like crazy. Fortunately he is going to help her get some help--and was very supportive of her and what she had to do.

And then the lady who held a kid in her back yard, telling him she would shoot him.

As someone mentioned earlier, the news media cuts and pastes clips to come up with totally different stories--and it seems like they want to make everyone look like fools.---Why else would they only show the "tornado victims" with no teeth, dirty and dumb!

Yes, we need to let people know that it is ok to protect yourself--and we need to show them that we are just regular people and not the goofballs that some outlets try to portray us as

Mary

Keep your mouth shut and tell everyone my lawyer told me not to make any statements
Be polite but don't say anything until you have seen a lawyer. Remember your
right to be silent. No comment does not mean anything.

I'm not a lawyer but this Is what I plan to do If I ever use my gun

If you don't have pre paid legal defense get it
I have prepaid defense I got it before I started to carry