From: Jeremy Peter Howells, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
UK law is fairly simple in this respect - once there is no 'immediate threat'
to life you cannot fire or use other similar lethal force.
This has been the downfall of several soldiers and policemen in Northern
Ireland - the Lee Clegg case being probably the most famous example. Three
shots were fired - two were originally deemed to be 'legal' as the car was
still a threat while the third was not as the car was no longer an immediate
threat.
The classic case is the petrol bomber - once he has thrown his bomb the
bomber cannot be shot as they are no longer an immediate threat to life. The
fact that your mate standing a few feet away is roasting in a pool of burning
petrol still does not allow you to shoot the little toe rag. Is itsurprising
that several were?
I also think that Steve is incorrect in his view of US law as articles I have
read indicate the law is different from state to state - what Steve has said
is correct but only for certain states.
Regards
Jerry
--
The law is different from state to state but primarily the only difference
is as it relates to the protection of property. In some states you can use
lethal force to protect property but in most you can't.
In Mississippi or Louisiana if you come home from work and find burglars
emptying your home you can shoot them - but not in Florida or Georgia.
The use of lethal force to protect life is pretty standard for nearly all
States, the only exception I can think of is Massachusetts where you always
have a duty to retreat even if you are attacked in your own home - all other
States have a "home is your castle" doctrine but Massachusetts doesn't.
The concept that you can use lethal force against someone who is engaged
in or is about to be engaged in an act of murder or serious assault against
some other innocent party is pretty standard.
I remember reading a South African Police document on self-defence that was
written in the 60s that said you could use lethal force to stop the commission
of any felony - it then gave a list of felonies, including embezzlement!
Steve.
-------[Cybershooters contacts]--------
Editor: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Website & subscription info: www.cybershooters.org
