re: Denver shooting victim identified as pro-cop vet, shot in front of son

quote:

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You are (poorly) moving the goal posts. He was struck. He can use reasonable force to respond. That is not lethal force.

Don’t be a contrarian dumbass. We already have one in this thread.

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I'm not trying to be contrarian. I am honestly confused because my perception of self-defense law was that I could use my firearm to protect myself from physical attacks.

Let's say a 230 lb man punches 170 lb me in the face. I stumble back and draw my weapon to prevent further attacks. Is that legal or am I guilty of assault? If he slapped me I could see how it can muddy the waters.

It seems.. insane.. to think that my wife couldn't legally use a handgun to stop a man who already hit her from hitting her again.

I know it doesn't strictly mirror the Keltner-Dolloff situation but I'm still asking.. because it just seems wrong and I am clearly not an expert or lawyer.

The Colorado self-defense law says that you can use self-defense as a defense if it's reasonable to believe that you are in danger of great bodily harm. Great bodily harm means it's pretty serious. A slap isn't going to qualify.

If someone knocks your teeth out, you probably have a good self-defense case. That would be on the light side.

Knocking your hat and glasses off (especially after you put your hands on them at some point prior to the slap) isn't going to be a great defense of killing someone.