A warning shot is an intentional shot fired at something other than the assailant in an attempt to intimidate or deescalate the situation without applying lethal force to the assailant.

This is an ill-advised practice for the following reasons:
1. Firearms are a lethal force response to an immediate, lethal, threat. A warning shot may be an admission that the threat is not immediate, or that the defender did not believe that the threat was lethal.

2. If there is an immediate, lethal, threat the proper use of time and resources is to neutralize that threat.

3. The shooter bears responsibility for whatever the bullet hits. Bystanders, etc.