There are lots of ways a defensive shooting can turn sour. Even a situation that starts out as justifiable can quickly degrade into a murder charge. Today we will look at one basic principle of self defense. That is, The Defensive Situation Ends the Moment that the Threat Ceases. At that point, all values are set back to zero and you are once again just a citizen, not Clint Eastwood. Thanks to the proliferation of security video and the Internet, we can watch scenarios unfold right before our eyes.
Below are some videos worth studying. Some depict justifiable defense of life, others cross the line to felonious conduct.

 

Sure, this crook stole the cash drawer.  Sure he had a gun.  But as soon as he left, so did the threat.  What’s the test?: severe bodily harm or death.  Not $100-$1000.  Even if the shooter is a security guard, he’s not a cop or James Bond.  Shooting into a city street is a crime.

This one started out justifiable.  Men come in with guns drawn, you can kill them.  Then the pharmacist makes a couple of mistakes.  Sure he’s fed up with thugs robbing him.  Yep, now’s his chance to even the score.  Wait a minute.  Now he’s out the door.  Guess what happens when you chase a guy down the street with a gun, you go to jail for a long time.  Uh oh, now he seems to be retreaving his back-up gun and shooting a man he shot in the head earlier.  Five times in the chest.  OK, now call the cops and get ready to go to jail.

Woman shoots super-criminal with 12-gauge.  No argument.

Funny how little there is to say about Good Shoots.

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