Defending with Force

When can you use force to defend yourself?

Well, whenever you use force you should consider these three guidelines.

First of all, your decision to use force must be a logical course of action.

If there is something else that you can do to avoid using force, like going back the way you came or going back inside your car or house, then it would not be logical to stay and face the danger.

Secondly, if you decide to use force it must be a reasonable course of action.

If someone threatens you, spits on you or says something you don’t like, it would not be reasonable to punch them in the face, because these examples do not pose an immediate threat to your safety.

If the situation doesn’t escalate, then you should be able to move away from the person without using force.

Thirdly, you should use force only if it’s necessary to prevent serious injury or death to you or another.

You may need to prove that you had no choice but to use force.

If the attacker is threatening to harm you and he’s blocking your only escape path, he’s not leaving you too many choices.

In this case you may need to defend yourself.

However, if the attacker is twenty feet away and you have a way to escape, you should get out of there, because if you do use force in this type of scenario it will be difficult to prove that it was necessary.

So remember, if you decide to use force, be sure it’s logical, reasonable and necessary.

This may help you justify your actions if you are ever called into court after defending yourself.

Be strong,

Kubler Al

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