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Training and Use of Lethal Force...Lesson 2
RugerNiner
Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
LESSON #2
Self-defense is not about guns or bullets. It is about laws. People ask me where to get good legal advice. That is a very difficult question to answer. The NRA has a great web page with some state information on the basic laws of firearms etc. The laws of self-defense are another story. You won't find this information in a gun shop, police headquarters, or most lawyers. Self-defense is a very complex area of law. Police pay out hundreds of millions of dollars in legal claims each year for failure to stay within the laws.
Every county in the nation has a law library. If you are serious about self-defense go to that library for your information. Most clerks are very helpful in directing you to your state laws. Most are similar but some states have unique twists to their self-defense laws.
Photo copy the laws on self-defense that may be under, "lethal force" or similar subjects. Be sure to make sure the laws are up to date. You may even ask your county attorney's office. Some may even send you the laws. Search engines on the internet also can lead you to laws via law libraries.
You will find the laws now in place. That is "statute" law. Your next move is to research "case law" which is legal standards that come from court cases. These can be complex, but reading a few will show you how YOUR state court is thinking on self-defense.
For example, "Minnesota vs. Austin" (1983) is a landmark case in Minnesota on self-defense and a key paragraph on the ruling shows the need to retreat in the use of self-defense. Case law may be quoted from other states in arguments and you can frequently see them quoted in arguments before the courts.
It is vital you read some of these. They are very insightful and filled with legal information you can use to form your opinions.
Some may be critical of having a novice attempt to digest this information, but most is rather easy to grasp. Once you have done some of that, it is time to ask around. Each gun owner should know a lawyer that KNOWS self-defense concepts. It is not a subject for the family law lawyer or corporate lawyer. Lawyers don't obtain much training on self-defense in law school. It is worth $50 -$100 to consult with a lawyer about your concerns and knowing how they can help if you find yourself in legal trouble. Some will consult with you for free, and others can be found around gun ranges or are known in shooting circles.
The study of the legal issues is far more important than what gun you own or how well you shoot. Failure to have a good grasp of the laws is asking for trouble. Some gun magazines try to hand out some legal logic, but most is pretty badly flawed.
Beware of the "sounds good" school of legal matters. There are many concepts we would like to grasp but reality may not agree.
Legal education on self-defense logic is never ending. I urge everyone to watch for self-defense cases and attend in person the court proceedings to see how self-defense works in court. It will be rather boring in parts, but the education is priceless.
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
Self-defense is not about guns or bullets. It is about laws. People ask me where to get good legal advice. That is a very difficult question to answer. The NRA has a great web page with some state information on the basic laws of firearms etc. The laws of self-defense are another story. You won't find this information in a gun shop, police headquarters, or most lawyers. Self-defense is a very complex area of law. Police pay out hundreds of millions of dollars in legal claims each year for failure to stay within the laws.
Every county in the nation has a law library. If you are serious about self-defense go to that library for your information. Most clerks are very helpful in directing you to your state laws. Most are similar but some states have unique twists to their self-defense laws.
Photo copy the laws on self-defense that may be under, "lethal force" or similar subjects. Be sure to make sure the laws are up to date. You may even ask your county attorney's office. Some may even send you the laws. Search engines on the internet also can lead you to laws via law libraries.
You will find the laws now in place. That is "statute" law. Your next move is to research "case law" which is legal standards that come from court cases. These can be complex, but reading a few will show you how YOUR state court is thinking on self-defense.
For example, "Minnesota vs. Austin" (1983) is a landmark case in Minnesota on self-defense and a key paragraph on the ruling shows the need to retreat in the use of self-defense. Case law may be quoted from other states in arguments and you can frequently see them quoted in arguments before the courts.
It is vital you read some of these. They are very insightful and filled with legal information you can use to form your opinions.
Some may be critical of having a novice attempt to digest this information, but most is rather easy to grasp. Once you have done some of that, it is time to ask around. Each gun owner should know a lawyer that KNOWS self-defense concepts. It is not a subject for the family law lawyer or corporate lawyer. Lawyers don't obtain much training on self-defense in law school. It is worth $50 -$100 to consult with a lawyer about your concerns and knowing how they can help if you find yourself in legal trouble. Some will consult with you for free, and others can be found around gun ranges or are known in shooting circles.
The study of the legal issues is far more important than what gun you own or how well you shoot. Failure to have a good grasp of the laws is asking for trouble. Some gun magazines try to hand out some legal logic, but most is pretty badly flawed.
Beware of the "sounds good" school of legal matters. There are many concepts we would like to grasp but reality may not agree.
Legal education on self-defense logic is never ending. I urge everyone to watch for self-defense cases and attend in person the court proceedings to see how self-defense works in court. It will be rather boring in parts, but the education is priceless.
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
Comments
Remember...Terrorist are attacking Civilians; Not the Government. Protect Yourself!
NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.