Bowhunter, If I may be blunt, why are you concerned about non-lethal force?
I am not an attorney, I don't play one on TV, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express. Seriously, from what I understand of your injuries, it seems you are in danger of serious physical injury, or death if you try to engage almost anyone in a physical confrontation. Anyone who would assault you is a serious threat and should be dealt with appropriately. When it comes to fighting for your life, or the life of your bride, anything goes. There is no such thing as a "fair fight." Either you win and live, or you lose and die, or your loved one dies.
In virtually every state, laws are on the books and court rulings support the concept that a person who is more vulnerable than others because of a physical disability, or condition, or advanced age, etc. are justified in using deadly force if they reasonably believe their life is in danger. Is it reasonable to expect a 70 year old woman in a wheel chair to physically fight an able bodied young attacker? No. Same thing applies to someone such as you describe yourself.
In researching officer involved shootings several years ago, I found a couple of cases where police officers were attacked by an unarmed, but physically larger and stronger assailant. In both cases the officer found himself and herself being choked to the point of losing consciousness, when they were able to use their firearms to survive. Good shootings in both cases. You don't have to take it, whatever IT is. You don't have to joust with someone who seriously wants to hurt you.
You are legally justified in using deadly force under certain circumstances. If you have a moral or ethical concern, may I suggest you seek the services of a professional counselor, or member of the clergy for spiritual guidance?
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/pioneer461/police.png)
Bowhunter, If I may be blunt, why are you concerned about non-lethal force?
I am not an attorney, I don't play one on TV, nor did I stay at a Holiday Inn Express. Seriously, from what I understand of your injuries, it seems you are in danger of serious physical injury, or death if you try to engage almost anyone in a physical confrontation. Anyone who would assault you is a serious threat and should be dealt with appropriately. When it comes to fighting for your life, or the life of your bride, anything goes. There is no such thing as a "fair fight." Either you win and live, or you lose and die, or your loved one dies.
In virtually every state, laws are on the books and court rulings support the concept that a person who is more vulnerable than others because of a physical disability, or condition, or advanced age, etc. are justified in using deadly force if they reasonably believe their life is in danger. Is it reasonable to expect a 70 year old woman in a wheel chair to physically fight an able bodied young attacker? No. Same thing applies to someone such as you describe yourself.
In researching officer involved shootings several years ago, I found a couple of cases where police officers were attacked by an unarmed, but physically larger and stronger assailant. In both cases the officer found himself and herself being choked to the point of losing consciousness, when they were able to use their firearms to survive. Good shootings in both cases. You don't have to take it, whatever IT is. You don't have to joust with someone who seriously wants to hurt you.
You are legally justified in using deadly force under certain circumstances. If you have a moral or ethical concern, may I suggest you seek the services of a professional counselor, or member of the clergy for spiritual guidance?
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb294/pioneer461/police.png)
I WAS GLAD TO SEE THIS REPLY TO THIS QUESTION. I TOO SUFFER AILMENTS FROM DAYS GONE BY. BAD SHOULDER, ELBOW, HIP, AND FOOT. ALL SAME SIDE INJURIES. RUNNING AWAY, NOT AN OPTION ANYMORE. I'M NOT YOUNG OR STRONG ENOUGH PHYSICALLY TO BATTLE THIS YOUNGER GENERATION OF PROBABLE CRIMINALS ANYMORE. FOR THIS REASON, I PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO TACTICS TAUGHT ON BEST DEFENSE TELEVISION, AND OTHER SHOWS EDUCATING SELF DEFENSE. THESE GUYS ARE THE PROFESSIONALS. BUT TALKING TO YOUR ATTORNEY ISN'T OUT OF THE QUESTION ABOUT THE LEGAL QUESTION OF DEADLY FORCE IN SELF DEFENSE.
A COUPLE OF THINGS I HAVE LEARNED IS TO MAINTAIN A CONSTANT AWARENESS OF MY SURROUNDINGS. TO PAY CLOSER ATTENTION TO OTHERS IN MY IMMEDIATE THREAT AREA. AND TO CARRY MY FIREARM IN SUCH A WAY THAT I HAVE TACTICAL ACCESS TO IT IN EVERY SITUATION...WHETHER IN THE CAR, WALKING DOWN THE STREET, OR SITTING IN MY LIVINGROOM AT HOME. BUT THE BEST TACTICAL ADVISE I'VE LEARNED IS TO MAINTAIN A SAFE TACTICAL DISTANCE WHEN POSSIBLE. THIS WILL HOPEFULLY GIVE YOU ENOUGH TIME TO ACT ACCORDINGLY. BUT REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM IN YOUR MINDSET FIRST.
BOWHUNTER, WHEN YOU DROP YOUR GUARD, YOU MAY BECOME A VICTIM. I'M NOT SAYING YOU SHOULD BE SUSPICIOUS OF EVERYONE YOU ENCOUNTER; BUT YOU SHOULD LEARN "just my advise" HOW TO SAFEGUARD YOURSELF AGAINST EVERYONE YOU ENCOUNTER.