Questions tagged [self-defense]
Legal allowance to use force to protect one's self. May encompass rights to use force to protect one's property or the person or property of others.
84
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Is it legal to hack a hacker back (in the US)?
I was wondering if it's legal to do what most people call a "hack back." Suppose someone tricked you into downloading software onto your computer that was designed to steal your data, but it ...
-3
votes
1answer
75 views
Where is the line between assault and self defense?
Suppose that someone of whom one is not fond walks up to you while you are having a conversation with another and stands quite too close for comfort and you ask them to get out of your personal space. ...
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3answers
192 views
Do police have special protection in shootings, related to Breonna Taylor
I know this is a hot button issue. I was reading about self defense with a firearm and found the general rule that a person that instigates a fight cannot use a self defense argument when using deadly ...
0
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1answer
69 views
I want to know if i have the right to push someone if they slapped me in self defense
I have a question, about 3 or 4 months ago, i was just outside chilling with some of my friends and then some girl came and slapped me, all i did was push her back in self defense. I just want to know ...
8
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2answers
274 views
If two gunmen are in a standoff, can either of them kill the other and claim self defense in the USA?
Because of recent news about the Kenosha shootings, and people claiming the shooter might walk free because he can claim self-defense, I've started wondering this question. I've seen pictures of ...
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2answers
288 views
How does context nullify the Rittenhouse self-defense? [duplicate]
The Rittenhouse defense has invoked self-defense justification for the shooting deaths of 2 in Kenosha Wisconsin.
Given the context of:
Protesters
Rittenhouse indicating intent to protect property ...
6
votes
1answer
866 views
Can killing be “self-defense” if you are committing a crime yourself?
Kyle Rittenhouse has been charged with murder.
I believe that the facts of the incident are not in dispute, because of ample video evidence: Rittenhouse was attacked, tried to escape, and when he ...
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votes
1answer
157 views
Is it legal in Chicago to shoot looters?
I was stuck in the riot, in Chicago, a few days ago, and felt rather threatened by the degree of organized lawlessness. I walked out of my home to purchase a soda, and saw an organized raid of 7/11 ...
2
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2answers
129 views
The “self defense” defense but for pets
If you were to be walking with your family down the street, and a kerfuffle with a stranger were to break out, risking the safety of yourself or your family, in both federal and state courts for just ...
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2answers
70 views
Is an individual's claim to self-defense impacted by whether or not they used a tool/weapon?
Consider the following hypothetical scenario:
A robber breaks into a person's apartment. They had initially expected the individual to be at work, and thus the apartment empty. But unfortunately, the ...
0
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2answers
158 views
Why does the legal system make it easier to successfully claim self-defense if it resulted in the death of the assailant?
Most (if not all) firearm self-defense courses will teach you that violent altercations can end in the following outcomes, sorted in order of preference:
De-escalation - resolve the conflict before ...
0
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1answer
129 views
Am I allowed to threaten to detonate a bomb when a group of people are illegally threatening my life in public?
You are eating in a public restaurant. A group of people suddenly take out their guns and point them at you. You have a gun on you but you don't want to use it because you are afraid of getting shot ...
3
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0answers
60 views
Has there ever been a successful defense based on “self-defense” in a case of a person charged with killing an on-duty police officer?
Title says it all. Is there any example of someone being found not guilty of killing an on-duty police officer? Obviously this must happen all the time when the facts cannot be proven. I'm wondering ...
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2answers
153 views
Can a civilian use tear gas to disperse a mob of protestors gathered around his/her car?
Let's say I'm driving down a major interstate highway and I see a group of ~100 or so people climbing over the highway fence and spilling out onto the highway. They have signs, I'm going to assume ...
6
votes
1answer
416 views
Would it have been legal to step in and prevent the death of George Floyd? (Interfere with arrest to save a life) [duplicate]
I know this is a viral topic right now but I don't mean to ask it simply for the sake of hype and controversy. I am genuinely curious about it. If this question isn't appropriate here, please advise ...
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0answers
73 views
Did Cliff Booth commit crime by killing Tex and Katie?
In Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Cliff Booth defends himself and his friends from intruders Tex, Sadie and Katie (the Manson Family killers).
First, Tex fails to shoot Cliff as Cliff's dog takes Tex ...
2
votes
2answers
125 views
US laws: shooting an undercover cop
So this is in the interest of storytelling and writing.
So we have cop A who is undercover and acting as mobster B's right hand man.
Then we have bar owner C who closed down the bar, and is alone in ...
3
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0answers
117 views
What weapons can I legally carry for self-defence in New York City?
I've been on the receiving end of racist verbal attacks regarding COVID-19.
I've already reported this to the police; they advise me not to engage with the offenders.
However, I suspect that things ...
0
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1answer
143 views
If someone attacked me with a weapon twice and I hit them back once is that self defense?
Scenario:
If John was walking his dog and another pet owner made him aware their animal will attack his dog, which it then goes on to do (in a public park) and John intervenes and stops the animal ...
2
votes
1answer
91 views
Self defense after provocation on the part of the defender
A friend of mine in university wants to ensure he can defend himself legally. In a library a group of individuals were talking enough to annoy him and as the library has explicit no talking policy he ...
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1answer
157 views
Castle doctrine
Does castle doctrine mean any guest at a house can kill uninvited guests? Is it awkward because they would have to know the guest was uninvited despite not being the property owner? Would a quick ...
0
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1answer
141 views
How could the recruits have legally defended themselves against the drill sergeant's insults in Full Metal Jacket?
I stood with my mouth open as I watched the first ten minutes of the movie Full Metal Jacket:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=71Lft6EQh-Y&feature=emb_logo
The movie is set in ...
15
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2answers
2k views
Does the “stand your ground” law regarding shooting an intruder apply when the door of the dwelling was not locked?
I was wondering, suppose someone enters a dwelling uninvited in a state that has a stand your ground law (or as I am being correct on, Castle Doctrine). If the door was not locked, would the homeowner ...
5
votes
2answers
455 views
Home Self Defense: Sweden
So I am reading a fictional book, that takes place in Sweden, and there is a situation presented that strike me as implausible.
A female character is being "stalked" by another character, and ...
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1answer
136 views
Bringing an electric gun in the streets (Belgium)
Is it permissible to bring an electric gun in a hoster just in case of self-defense? Is there a need of a special written permission by a police department or a weapon center or by a court? What are ...
5
votes
1answer
778 views
Can an employer be required to provide an escort from office to vehicle?
Follow up question to Can an employer be forced to allow an employee to bring a gun to work (Washington State)?
It appears that an employer can limit employee concealed carry.
(It would also seem ...
5
votes
4answers
524 views
Claiming self-defense and refusing to self-incriminate at the same time
Bob shoots Rob dead. Noone saw what actually happened, no video footage, nothing. Bob does not deny shooting Rob but claims it was self-defense. He does not go into details — invoking his right not to ...
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1answer
291 views
Can a police officer enter with no warrant or cause, and must I comply with orders if one does?
This is a hypothetical question.
I am in my garage on a Saturday reloading ammunition and cleaning several guns for a range trip the next day. It is hot and I had the large garage door open. As ...
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3answers
3k views
Is Plummer v State still valid under contemporary law?
Apparently, in Plummer v State back in 1893, the court ruled an individual may act in self-defense against a police officer provided there is unlawful use of force. Note, this does not mean self-...
0
votes
1answer
255 views
Self Defense- Lethal Force- Taser & Knife Vs. Fire Arm
I was thinking of buying a taser for self defense. However, if someone were trying to attack me such as pulling a gun out on me, I fear a taser will just leave a criminal pissed off and still wanting ...
3
votes
2answers
471 views
Self defense during execution
Let's say someone has been sentenced to death and is about to be killed by lethal injection. While they are being brought into the execution room, they manage to escape the grip of the prison guards ...
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0answers
99 views
Is it legal to use self-defense against police brutality? [duplicate]
Is it self defense if a police officer were assaulting; let’s say my uncle, and punch or push away the officer to stop him from hurting my uncle would that be legal?
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1answer
183 views
Why is use of force justified in this way?
Typically when we see an officer on the media for their use of force, even when the other person was a danger, we see the general public retort with something of the form "lesser force could have been ...
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1answer
19 views
Where Can I Find Weapon Definitions as Refereed To In NY Penal Code?
In NY penal code section 265.01 it states:
A person is guilty of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth
degree when:
(1) He or she possesses any firearm, electronic dart gun, ...
5
votes
2answers
193 views
Are martial artists held to a different standard?
At the beginning of the movie Con Air, the main character is presented as an ex-Green Beret who is attacked by 3 people outside a bar. He defends himself and his pregnant wife during the fight until ...
2
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0answers
82 views
Tear gases/chemical weapons for civillian use?
I was wondering if civilians can legally carry and use a chemical weapon/tear gas in an event where you need to protect yourself. I have found that pepper spray is okay for self defence in the USA, ...
0
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2answers
1k views
In UK Law what items can you carry to defend your person? [duplicate]
What items are legal under UK law to protect yourself?
Can you carry pepper spray?
A baseball bat?
If there are no police about how is one supposed to protect themselves from harm?
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1answer
540 views
Can you be shot in “self-defense” for attempting to disarm someone?
"I'd like to see you try and take my gun" is a common mantra among 2nd amendment enthusiasts, the implied sentiment being they'll kill anyone who tries, but I'm interested in what would happen if this ...
0
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1answer
111 views
Is it legal to approach a threatening situation openly carrying a firearm?
Imagine this: A man is threatening you on your porch. You come outside with a rifle (muzzle pointing at the ground in a open carry stance) and politely ask him to leave.
Is this brandishing or open ...
0
votes
1answer
153 views
Visiting Texas would I have the right to defend myself with a Texas residents firearm whom I'm staying with?
I will be visiting Texas and staying at my girlfriend's home. Would I have the right to defend myself with her firearm in the case of a burglary etc, or would I be in big trouble?
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it justifiable to disarm a policeman who is tasing an unhealthy person?
Is a citizen justified in disarming a policeman who is applying a taser to a suspect who committed a misdemeanor, but who is at an elevated risk of dying due to health conditions of which the police ...
2
votes
1answer
231 views
Would it be legal to use deadly force in a stampede?
Imagine a stampede where there is a reasonable fear of death or grievous bodily harm. Would it be legal for a victim to use deadly force in the form of a gun or knife in this scenario?
In states ...
2
votes
3answers
438 views
Do people lose their right to defend their house if they make it look like their house is uninhabited?
What should Bryan Smith have done when two burglars came to his house?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2014/04/29/morrison-county-jury-discussing-byron-smith-case/8465609/
Two burglars ...
1
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1answer
164 views
What degree of force is permissible in self-defense against battery? [duplicate]
What degree and types of force is person A allowed to exert against person B to avoid battery by B? Does it matter whether the battery is threatened or occurring? What would be some guidelines for ...
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1answer
97 views
What if any law is broken if Person B hugs Person A against A's expressed wishes?
Here is a recent post about person A in the US who doesn't want to be hugged, yet keeps getting hugged despite voicing that the hugs are unwanted:
https://interpersonal.stackexchange.com/questions/...
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1answer
105 views
What is the basis for how aggressive a person can be in self-defense?
All manner of hugging goes on in society in the US. For some people it is unwanted regardless of who the other person is. Autism spectrum comes to mind. How aggressive can person A be against ...
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0answers
315 views
Self defence with an illegal weapon
First off I’d like to say this is just a hypothetical question that I thought of today.
This following scenario is to be taking place in Canada. Let’s say a guy is at his house on his private ...
2
votes
2answers
208 views
Can a company forbid an employee to exercise his common law right to self defence?
If a company has a "no violence" policy could that override a person's common law right to self defence?
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0answers
141 views
Legal Baltimore Knives
I recently moved to the Downtown Baltimore, Maryland area and as you may know it's an extremely high crime area that has a lot of homicides. As a result I've been trying to find ways I can defend ...
2
votes
3answers
369 views
Will I be liable for injuries to someone else resulting from defending myself in a confrontation?
Let's say you are eating dinner with your family at a restaurant in Florida that has some outside seating. In the middle of your meal, a young man proceeds to try to sell you his mix tape. You ...
