LogFAQs > #944228168

Monopoman posted...

The panhandler would have to get violent, you can't just pull out a gun and shoot someone because he was being aggressive about getting some spare change., Even then it has to be a level of violence equal to the retaliation, if one guy punches you in the face you can't shoot him 6 times and then claim self defense.

I would say it depends on the situation, for instance if you have a gun, but the person is assaulting you and is much stronger/bigger than you, and you barely get away for a second, shooting them might be logical and the only way to insure your safety (and that they don't actually get your gun and shoot you).

Given the opportunity and space, pointing the gun at them and warning them first would make sense of course, but if they charged you anyway, firing again makes the most sense as your under attack.

The concept of not using a higher level of force is rediculous, because sometimes it's a persons only possible defense without being completely at the mercy of the attacker (who does not look sane at all).

I'm big, strong and trained in martial arts most of my life, even though i'm older, I don't really need to worry about anyone just plain out overpowering me. I can at least hold my own, but not everyone is like that. If I was like 120 pounds and 5'8 or something.....yeah, a gun would make sense if someone 6 foot 280+ was charging at me.

IF you lock someone up for shooting another person who didn't have a gun but was aggressive, you are basically saying it's illegal to defend yourself.

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