Atticus did not like killing. He was an excellent marksman, but rarely fired a gun. He only fired that day when a rabid dog threatened the town and his children.
Heck Tate insists Atticus shoot the mad dog because there is only one chance to kill it. We learn that Atticus is an excellent shot, and that he was called "One Shot Finch".
When a rabid "mad" dog enters town, the sheriff asks Atticus to shoot it. Atticus is a sharpshooter, a skill he does not broadcast.
Atticus tells Jem that he can shoot bluejays, but advises him to remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. He explains that mockingbirds are innocent creatures that only bring beauty and music to the world.
He was the dog. The kids learned that Atticus could shoot.
Miss Maudie believes that Atticus only shoots as a last resort in emergencies because he values life and respects the power of a gun. Atticus prefers to use his intellect and moral principles to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence.
If you shoot Atticus in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird," it would have a significant impact on the story as Atticus is a central character who plays a crucial role in the themes of justice, morality, and racism in the novel.
Uncle Jack believes that Atticus doesn't want to teach the children to shoot because he wants to instill a sense of responsibility and respect for firearms. Atticus also values the importance of defending oneself only as a last resort and does not want the children to view shooting as a casual or violent activity.
Atticus allowed the children to shoot tin cans with their air rifles.
Heck Tate wants Atticus to shoot the dog because he knows that Atticus is the best shooter in Maycomb and he wants the dog to be put down before it harms anyone. Heck Tate knows that Atticus is the most skilled marksman and can take down the dog with one shot to prevent any danger to the community.
Atticus breaks his glasses while trying to shoot the rabid dog in a single shot. Despite his poor eyesight without them, he is still able to successfully shoot the dog.
Because back when Atticus was a kid, he was known as "Ol' One-shot Finch" (Lee 129). People called Atticus that because he has the deadest shot when handling a gun. Mr. Tate didn't shoot the dog himself because he can't shoot as well as Atticus can. Shooting Tim Johnson (the dog) was a one-shot thing.
Heck Tate, the sheriff of Maycomb, asked Atticus Finch to shoot Tim Johnson, the rabid dog, because he believed Atticus was the best shot in town. Atticus reluctantly agrees and demonstrates his excellent marksmanship by taking down the rabid dog with a single shot.