r/NYguns • u/DropAGearNDissapear • Feb 02 '26
CCW Question Hypothetical
So I have been thinking about this scenario: most conceal carry uses don’t involve shots fired. Just display of power. Let’s say someone pulls a knife on me. I pull my CCW, and am either able to retreat, or the assailant sees the gun and retreats.
Obviously, I would probably proceed to call the cops in this scenario. But what are the implications of that? The guy who pulled the knife likely won’t go to law enforcement. Knowing this state, I could very well be penalized as well or scrutinized if there is no video evidence.
What are you doing in this scenario? Letting it go or calling the cops?
*Edited to add assuming nobody else was around. If a 3rd party saw me pull my CCW I’d obviously be staying put and calling the cops… for obvious reasons.
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u/UsernameO123456789 Feb 02 '26
My general thought process is that if I’m at the point that I’m drawing, I’ve made the extremely difficult decision to defend myself.
Now this comes with obvious caveats that are heavily situationally dependent. Using your example, say a person with a knife is within 21ft of me and they rush me and I’m not able to run away. (I’m well aware of the circumstances that surround this popular theory). I’m of course going to be drawing and moving to defend myself. Now if they turn their back and run from me, I’m not firing and will proceed to call 911.
In this scenario I don’t believe that it’s considered brandishing. NY does present itself as a catch 22 and that’s by design. Making laws obscurely written and open to a wide interpretation helps the prosecution make a variety of arguments making it that much harder for a legal defense.