Armed intruder killed by homeowner in St. Rose

[bluedigger]

http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2009/12/post_106.html

"Authorities said after he kicked down the door, Cockerham proceeded to shine a laser light from the hand gun through the opening of the damaged door.

It was at this time the homeowner fired a single shot from his weapon at the intruder, Yoes said."

Those lasers work both ways, apparently...

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

1. DOH!

[Euromutt]

2. Good example of how not to use a laser

Weapon-mounted lights and lasers aren't supposed to be used as "target acquisition systems"; you don't wave the weapon around until the light comes to rest on a target, at then shoot.

You don't activate either unless and until you already have your weapon on the target. Lights are for target identification: to ensure that the person you're pointing your weapon at is actually someone you want to shoot (as opposed to an innocent bystander, or your teenage kid coming home at some ungodly hour). Lasers allow you to confirm that your weapon is aimed at your target without having to acquire and maintain standard sight picture.

Every anecdote I've ever heard or read about how lights and lasers are useless, or even a liability, in actual fact described the user employing the device incorrectly, i.e. using it to try to bring the weapon onto the target, instead using it to verify that the weapon was on-target and/or that the target was something to be shot at.

[taurus145]

3. Exactly

Even though proper use lessens the possibility of me being shot, I still don't use lasers or mounted lights.

I prefer that the only marker giving away my exact position in the dark is my first muzzle flash.

[bluedigger]

4. +1

Call me old fashioned, but I'm thinking I'm busy enough without working proper laser technique into the drill.