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.
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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-...
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1answer
59 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 ...
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2answers
239 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
46 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
139 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
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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, ...
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2answers
101 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 ...
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0answers
74 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, ...
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117 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
131 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 ...
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1answer
89 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 ...
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1answer
135 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?
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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 ...
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1answer
199 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 ...
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3answers
223 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 ...
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1answer
132 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
73 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
77 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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87 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 ...
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2answers
182 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
92 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 ...
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3answers
309 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 ...
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1answer
724 views
Deadly force allowed during a forcible felony in Florida?
You are at a stop light and see a person with a firearm run up to the car in front of you. They attempt to open the door and see a struggle begin as the door opens. You are absolutely sure this is a ...
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1answer
101 views
Do I have the right to protect my personal property ? [closed]
In most part of US, people have the right to protect their own personal property with an appropriate amount of force.With this concept of personal property and a persons right to protect as background,...
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4answers
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Is deadly self defense in Germany legal?
Since I am an American in Germany I have had this discussion with a few Germans but haven't got a concrete answer. If i am at home in Germany and someone breaks into my house and I see that they have ...
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1answer
89 views
May one attack an offender during an extended smash and grab attempt
It is common in South Africa for the passenger window to get smashed and the offender to then lunge into the car to grab items.
A) Would it be legal to then drive off and hit his legs against a lamp ...
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3answers
412 views
Spices used as self defence
Let's assume that person A carries on themselves spices such as chilly, cayenne peppers, or something else of the same fiery disposition. Person A is attacked by person B. Let us further assume that ...
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1answer
287 views
Would you be convicted of assault, etc. for defending the passenger in the United incident?
I'm wondering what would have happened if one of the passengers who was witnessing the United incident unfold had stepped in and tried to defend the doctor, by force.
Note that I'm assuming the ...
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2answers
84 views
Can Person 2 press charges?
Person 1 harasses Person 2 for three days.
Person 2 dumps Person 1's personal belongings onto floor.
Person 1 attacks Person 2 with wrestling, hair pulling, hitting and kicking.
Person 2 responds, ...
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1answer
329 views
Dodging police bullet illegal?
Would dodging, or otherwise itentionally avoiding, being shot by the police be considered resisting arrest? Mainly regarding U.S. law, but interested if any other law adresses this.
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2answers
139 views
Can I carry a gun in a case in Florida while riding a bicycle?
I am riding an extended bike trip. I've already been attacked by multiple dogs. I applied for a concealed carry permit but I don't want to delay my trip in the meantime. Can I carry in an unlocked ...
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1answer
86 views
Can a country defend against invasions?
I know think under "premises/occupiers liability" you aren't allowed to set up things like booby-traps, to stop trespassers / invaders.
Are countries/militaries exempt from such laws?
If so, how are ...
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3answers
639 views
Weapons vs objects coincidentally used as weapons
My understanding is that many easily-concealed weapons are illegal to use for self-defense in many if not most states. For example, knuckle-dusters are illegal to use in self-defense in most if not ...
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2answers
244 views
Legal definition of assault?
In Massachusetts, penalties are established for "assault" upon a person, but apparently there is no definition of "assault". So, what constitutes an assault could apparently be open to interpretation. ...
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2answers
299 views
Can you legally stop an unsupervised child from acting up
I think this is the right place to ask this.. If there is a young child (say 4-10-ish) who is unsupervised and causing a major disruption, what is the extent of the measures you can take to stop him/...
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2answers
173 views
Can law enforcement/military shoot to kill for merely making a phone call that is deemed treasonous?
Warning: This question contains spoilers to the film Arrival (2016). If that bothers you, move on now.
In the 2016 film Arrival, humanity confronts a crisis with the arrival of a dozen alien ...
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1answer
62 views
Lethal force to prevent virus outbreak?
Lets say im in the hostpital or a supermarket. and somone just died from somthing unknow, what seems to be a virus or any other transmissible disease. am i in legal right to use letal force to prevent ...
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1answer
44k views
Can you legally defend yourself against an attacking police officer?
If a police officer physically attacks you, with or without intent to arrest, can you legally defend yourself? Assume that the police officer punches/kicks/grabs first, and you are not guilty of any ...
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4answers
859 views
If a thief breaks in, gets hit on the head in a struggle and dies - is it involuntary manslaughter?
I have been reading and seeing some fiction where it was shown that a thief breaks into a house, steals, he is caught in the act, in the struggle, there is a blow to the head and the thief dies. The ...
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3answers
3k views
Is it self defense to use force on someone threatening violence but hasn't used it yet?
Here is the example video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALNIPwh8I54 (a little violent but not too much)
Given the answers to Are you allowed to strike a person if they say you can? and Does anyone ...
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5answers
6k views
What happens if I shoot a police officer in self-defense during a SWAT raid?
No-knock SWAT raids are very popular, especially in the US. But how do you know that the heavily armed persons are policemen? Isn't it very easy to mistake them for robbers? What if I try to defend ...
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2answers
132 views
Could one claim self defense in killing if he could prove indirect, but not immediate threat?
I was just watching a movie, Training Day, (Edit: Spoiler - read no further if you'd like to not have the plot spoiled) where a good police officer is applying for a position on a narcotics unit, but ...
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1answer
267 views
Argentina: Is it permitted to shoot a knife-wielding intruder to my property with a handgun?
I'm wondering how can I defend against an intruder in my house if I legally possess a handgun. I'm in Argentina. Supposing the intruder doesn't possess a firearm himself but is wielding a deadly ...
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2answers
2k views
Is defending someone being physically attacked self-defence or assault?
Suppose one day a vicious attacker (let's call him Thug) assaults Emily in the street. A bystander (let's call him Paul) rushes to Emily's aid, attacking Thug in her defense. After a few minutes, Thug ...
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2answers
286 views
Is it legal to stop somebody taking your stuff if you've left it somewhere?
Suppose that you leave your phone on a bench and you leave for two minutes to stretch or do something. Somebody takes it. You catch them in the act and ask them to stop, but they start running.
Are ...
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3answers
7k views
Am I legally able to use lethal force against a police officer in defense of another?
Hypothetically, let's say I come across a police officer about to discharge his firearm at a person laying face down on the ground, hands in my clear view, clearly (to me) unarmed and apparently ...
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1answer
149 views
Legality of the shooting of a gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo
A video has been all over the internet today. It shows a gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo in contact with a 4 year old child who had fallen into the enclosure. The gorilla was shot and killed. The ...
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1answer
4k views
Terms of Self Defence in public place in UK (England)?
I have question about when self-defence applies and charges are not put on a person who was hit, in English Law, in two scenarios:
Let's say John and Jane have a discussion which gets heated but no ...
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1answer
754 views
Under what circumstances is it OK for a layperson to shoot a fleeing burglar?
This question and quotes below (emphasis added) come from an article in today's paper titled "‘He started crying like a little baby’: 11-year-old brags about shooting suspected home invader."
A known ...
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2answers
2k views
Can physical force be used to protect your property?
When can physical force be used outside of personal self defense? If you see someone repeatedly kicking your car can you chase him away? Say someone is at your door step and pushes past you inside, ...
