Limits of self defense?

[cpr]

Originally Posted by sledger

There isn't really much prospect for that at all in the UK though. The law as it is won't punish you for taking steps to defend your property/person unless you do something that can be considered to be unreasonably excessive. Proposed reforms are being introduced to solidify and expand on this position.

For homes, used to be (unofficial) rule of thumb I believe that if they are downstairs, make a lot of noise to scare them off and call the police from your barracaded bedroom door, anything more your inviting trouble..... The persons come upstairs though then its fair game, as they are really threatening your personal safety

Originally Posted by BoyBrumby

the copper who took my statement basically told me to lie about the pick-axe handle I had under the counter when I worked in a service station doing the graveyard shift & had threatened to wrap around a would-be robber's head when he came in brandishing an imitation weapon. I do wonder what would've happened had I swung it.

I'm guessing the cop would've found it was unlucky the CCTV cameras broke that night, so couldn't quite piece together how you managed to obtain the weapon whilst valiantly defending yourself, and presume the assailant had brought it in.... Clever folks those cops.


Interestingly (or not) in the self defence too far stakes, sisters friend got sent down for defending himself when someone tried to rob him at knifepoint - using your marshal art training to break both his legs is taking it too far, apparently

[GingerFurball]

Originally Posted by silentstriker

That's ridiculous. My parents store gets held up about once a year with knives or guns and I've been telling my parents not to keep a gun because generally they just want money. But if they did use lethal force against someone brandishing a weapon (fake or not), there is no way they would (or should) be punished. You have what you think is a real gun pointed at your face, your life is in danger and you are well within your rights to take whatever action you feel is necessary including killing.

There's a difference between your dad whipping out a gun in response to being held up and killing the robber because it was a case of "his life or mine", and the robber running off and your dad chasing him down the street and killing him.

[Neil Pickup]

Originally Posted by sledger

So if for example a child threatened to beat me up and took a swing at me and I picked up a shovel that was nearby and cracked him over the head with it, this is unlikely be thought of as acceptable. If however, a guy who's let's say 8ft tall who I know participates in cage fighting makes a similar threat and attempts to attack me (bearing in mind I'm not exactly Frank Mir and would have no real way of restraining him) I'd probably be let off without reprieve if I laid into him with aforementioned shovel.

Are you telling me I need to change the fundamentals of my teaching philosophy?

[sledger]

Originally Posted by Neil Pickup

Are you telling me I need to change the fundamentals of my teaching philosophy?

Yes, being made to feel threatened by a child isn't contingent with good teaching practice iirc.

[Neil Pickup]

You never implied being made to feel threatened.

[sledger]

I read between the lines. I've met you after all, I know what you're like.

[Sanz]

Oklahoma mom calling 911 asks if shooting an intruder is allowed - CNN.com

Self Defense ?

[Anil]

Originally Posted by Sanz

Oklahoma mom calling 911 asks if shooting an intruder is allowed - CNN.com

Self Defense ?

self defense of course...

[silentstriker]

Originally Posted by Sanz

Oklahoma mom calling 911 asks if shooting an intruder is allowed - CNN.com

Self Defense ?

Without any doubt whatsoever. She was holed up in a bedroom and put a couch on the door so they wouldn't get in, she saw a weapon that could kill her and her baby and so she protected herself.

Textbook self defense.

[miscer]

Originally Posted by Tricia McMillan

Just had a look on this article again. Laws like the one used to get this kid off the hook are state-based, and it's Florida. Florida's kind of a strange state like that.

Texas has some pretty dumb laws too, for example, you're allowed to defend your home against an intruder with lethal force. There have been numerous cases where someone broke into a house, got shot and killed, and the person who killed them wasn't prosecuted.

how is that dumb at all? it's called the castle doctrine. i.e. according to the law a man's responsibility is to flee from an attack or inform the authorities and self-defense is the last approach. and self-defense should only be on par with the level of attack.

BUT the castle doctrine states a man should not have to flee from his "castle" in this case his home and should be allowed to defend it/himself from intruders. If someone breaks into someone's house they have given up their right to be free from physical harm IMO. You cannot expect full legal protection while committing a crime.

fyi the doctrine applies to the threat of violence.

[silentstriker]

Originally Posted by GingerFurball

There's a difference between your dad whipping out a gun in response to being held up and killing the robber because it was a case of "his life or mine", and the robber running off and your dad chasing him down the street and killing him.

Sure, I was just speaking re: BoyBrumby. He said he saw a weapon, so I don't see why it's at all a problem to find something to defend yourself with.