Murder in Self Defence

[SometimesThere]

If a person is threatening either you/your family/friends/property should you be allowed to harm that person in defence? Should it be acceptable by law to harm someone in defence?

If you were allowed to harm someone in defence, how far should you be allowed go? Just only harm that person, or actually kill them?

And lastly, is there a difference in a soldier killing to protect his/her country and a civilian killing to protect their own life?

[Magus]

If it is a direct attack, then by all means they have the right to defend themselves.

But if a person is sending passive attacks on you, like threatening you, then no. That's an unjustified murder.

[Death]

Murder in self defence isn't murder; it is a natural reaction to prevent your life being lost. As for war, this is probably the same since if you don't shoot the enemy, they'll only shoot you.

[Dunce]

I don't think it's acceptable if they're just threatening you. However if they actually attack you or anything like that it should be justified. It's legal in alot of other countries but not Ireland unfortunately. I guess it's hard to know whether it really was self defence or whether the killer was just saying that to dodge charges.

[Azunite]

It is completly legal if you are attacked. Either you will survive or the attacker will survive so I don't see any problems here.

[SometimesThere]

Some people might go out of control though. My problem would be when to draw the line.

I think a lot of people would find it hard to stop hurting the criminal once he/she was no longer a threat. They could keep on beating/stabbing/shooting the criminal until he/she dies. Would that be illegal? Sure, it was self-defence, but you got too carried away and now someone has died.

And the thing is, I think it would be extremely hard for people to make themselves stop.

[Sith Lord 13]

Whatever force is necessary to safeguard yourself, your loved ones, innocent bystanders, or your property is justifiable. I find it hard to believe homicide is necessary in the last case though.

[anonymous53]

If you are being directly attacked yes. If someone has a gun pulled on you and is about to pull the trigger, would you kill them to protect yourself or your family?

[Cynical]

Threats should be reported to the police, but if they are causing physical harm you should be able to fight back. As for murder in self defense...that's a tough one, but if the aggressors goal is murder than I believe it could be justified.

[Triceratops]

Definitely. I'm pretty sure if some maniac had a gun pointed to my head I would knife him before he ever got the chance to pull the trigger.

[Spook]

I think...if a person approaches another person with a weapon, the person should be able to try and defend themselves. If somebody attacks them, I don't think if the person being attacked killed the attacker, that it would be considered a murder.

It would be self defence. I do think there is a difference in soldiers fighting for their country and self defence in attacks, though. Soldiers do not fight for defence, they fight to kill the other side and win the war.

[bonethewise]

If they're threatining with words, notify the police, actions i believe should allow you to kill them or injure them seriously, self defense

[FullyAlive]

Of course you should be able to kill in self defence. It's you or them right so surely you'd rather it was you. People should be allowed to defend their family and themselves legally without worrying about legal consequences.

And soldiers killing is basically the same thing, so ling as they are only killing the soldiers of the enemy, killing civilians of that country, whilst it might get the war won, isn't morally justifiable. Especially not as self defence or just defending the country.

[bleedoutlove]

If someone hits you, or holds a weapon to you, you can defend yourself, but don't go further than you have to. Just restrain and disarm them, and let the police come and take them away.

[RoseyCadaver]

Like many people said,if they're are in direct attack and about to ,yes.
BUT,no way should you if you are cyber bullied,because I'm sure if a nut case got a joke threat and would kill him,he might get by with it.

[Professional Russian]

Pennsylvania state law states that if some is going to harm you or anyone else your allowed to take them not kill them. As far as im concerned i shoot to kill some breaks in my house there not leaveing enless it in a body bag

[DerBear]

In the UK its tricky subject

I do belive you should have the right to defend yourself if attacked but like if a theif broke into my house at night and i silently hit them over the head and it killed them there is a possibility i will be charged with man slaughter even though i thought my life could be in danger.

Hard to say really

[Genghis Khan]

This thread will be locked now.

[DerBear]

This thread will be locked now.

I just checked the date it will be locked i never noticed the first time

[Commander Thor]

This thread will be locked now.

That it will.

Old thread, :locked: