Hopwin wrote:
According to the 21 foot rule an attacker can cover 21 feet in about 1.5 seconds from a dead stand still. So what is the kill-zone for a known threat? 10 foot? When can you shoot this person and get off with self-defense?
It honestly depends on too many factors. Which means what really matters is 1) how good your lawyer is and 2) whether you remember to shut the **** up after the incident. Too many statements will put a proverbial noose around your neck.
For example, I'm 6'5, relatively large, have some martial arts training, and am what some people might call "intimidating" if I so choose. So if somebody is unarmed at 10 feet away but attacks can I shoot them? I'm not a lawyer but I'm pretty sure the answer is: only if I want to get charged with manslaughter. Then it's up to a jury.
Here's the key: did you feel like your life was in danger, and would a "reasonable" person (such as the prosecutor's office and the police most likely, since they'll work together to decide whether to charge you) agree? If so, lethal force is justified.
"I thought they were going to kill me. I shot them until they stopped. I would like my attorney."
This, by the way, is why I think people of larger builds should see it as
more imperative to undertake martial arts training. I think you're less likely to be found justified if you shoot someone, which means your options have just become limited.