Today, in certain unregulated countries and states, the use of self-defense isn’t justified. For example, inside Africa, there are plenty of cities where the whole matter isn’t regulated. That can cause certain unjustified court decisions. However, worldwide, most countries are organized in that matter. Now, what does that mean?
To understand the meaning of the previous paragraph, we have to dig deeper. We need to follow certain countries, particularly the US, to understand the complete essence of self-defense laws worldwide.
Most of you are most likely from the US. Therefore, in this post, I’ll focus not only internationally. But I’ll cover US rules in a different section. Now, it’s essential to understand that in most regulated countries, the laws regarding self-defense are very alike. Therefore, without going into specifics in a particular country, the basic stays the same.
So, Can I use a lethal weapon to defend myself against an attacker? In which situations can I effectively disable a hostile? Which weapons can I carry on me and where? When can I use a non-lethal weapon, such as pepper gas? to defend myself?
What is Self Defense?
Self Defense is the protection of yourself or your surroundings against an individual with hostile or offensive means. “the defense of one’s person or interests, especially through the use of physical force, which is permitted in certain cases as an answer to a charge of violent crime.” (Dictionary)
From the previous paragraph, we can understand that self-defense, as its name suggests, is legal in regulated countries. It only makes sense. If an attacker tries to use physical force against yourself or your surroundings, you may use physical violence to defend yourself.
Many people are looking to defend themselves using certain weapons. Some of them are lethal, while some are not harmful in the long term. Regarding the law of the possession of such means, it differs between countries and cities. Therefore, before purchasing such weapons, ensure you check your local weapon legislation.
When should I use Self Defense?
There are certain instances where using self-defense is not only intelligent but required. For example, if it comes to another person seeking help, you are obliged to help that person. Imagine you being in a dangerous situation. In that case, you would want others to help you defend yourself. Now, you need to do the same for others.
Self-defense is all about helping yourself and your surroundings. Therefore, you should use self-defense in two situations, whenever you feel threatened by another individual. The second one is whenever you notice another person seeking help from his surroundings. Overall, if hostile attacks yourself or another person around you, act to disable the unfriendly as quickly as possible.
Self Defense In Law
In most regulated countries’ laws regarding self-defense, it’s not only legal to use such means to protect yourself or others. But the government encourages such behavior. Therefore, you shouldn’t concern yourself with constitutional means when it comes to self-defense.
According to Justia, if you have committed a criminal act and can explain yourself in front of the court, you’re innocent. Therefore, when performing a violent act with physical force, you need to ask yourself a simple question. Are you or are you not defending yourself or another person?
In the case where the answer is no, you’re not going to come out innocent in court. Therefore, the act you’re about to perform is illegal.
On the other hand, if the answer is yes, there are a few options before proceeding. If we return to one of my previous posts on the subject of self-defense, we can understand a few things. The goal of self-defense is not to hurt anyone. The opposite is true. We aren’t looking to create new injuries. However, we want to avoid as many injuries for as many people as possible.
Therefore, if you’re protecting an individual with the use of physical force, you need to have your goal in mind. You want to avoid injuries and not create additional ones. For that reason, once you identify a situation where you need to use self-defense, focus on the act of dodging damages.
Now, how do you do that? Very simple. Once you disable the attacker, and he can no longer use physical force, you cease. As simple as it sounds. To further understand that, let’s take two different situations.
First, picture a situation where you identify a self-defense situation. Now, you used physical force to disable the attacker, and he can no longer hurt anyone. So far, so good, right? Well, you continue attacking the hostile some more. Now, when you get to court, you may still come out innocent. However, you have risked plenty by continuing attacking.
In addition, the court may decide that you made the wrong choice, which you did. Therefore, you did something illegal. So, there are many punishments that the court may present to you. What do we learn? Once you disable the attacker, and he can no longer use physical means against anyone, you cease the situation.
Self Defense International Laws
In international law, self-defense is one of the few exceptions to the prohibition of using force. From that, we can understand that self-defense is indeed legal. Every person has a right to use physical power against an attacker to defend himself or his surroundings.
In addition, in the previous paragraph, we discussed when self-defense becomes illegal. For instance, once the hostile faces no danger to anyone, we must stop using physical force. That will protect us in front of the court.
You must understand when it applies to you and when the use of self-defense may jeopardize you. For instance, if you’re staying in a country with complicated court systems, you want to avoid any use of physical force for your entire stay.
To summarize, in international law, the same rule applies. The use of physical force against an attacker to defend yourself or others is legal.
What are the Self Defense Laws in the US?
The US is a regulated country. Therefore, the court systems are working in order. That means that you may use physical force against an attacker for self-defense. You’ll not be committing a crime.
However, because there are states in the US, each with its court system, it’s safe to interpret that self-defense legislation will be different. Therefore, I encourage you to read the local laws regarding that matter.
In addition, some of the twists in the law may include the use of certain weapons. For instance, in one state, using a knife to defend yourself is legal. In another one, carrying a knife on you may not be allowed. Read this post for further information on the legality of pocket knives in the US.
Lastly, international law is similar to any regulated country. Take the fact that the use of physical force against an attacker is legal worldwide. In addition, if you use violence on an attacker who can no longer use violence, you’re in the wrong worldwide. Therefore, self-defense is endorsed and looked positively upon. However, have in mind that you’re not looking to hurt anyone in the process of protecting another. All you’re looking to do is not create any new injuries and avoid them.
Self Defense Weapons
In self-defense, the person with the most force doesn’t always come out on top. That happens for the main reason. That reason is that almost anyone can carry some weapon to assist him in a time of need.
For instance, in the US, it’s legal to carry a pocket knife for self-defense purposes in most states. Therefore, anyone can order one from Amazon and get it the same day. It has never been easier to arm yourself.
People don’t want to feel defenseless. In a time of need, you don’t want to rely on others to assist you. You want to be able to defend yourself even against someone more prominent. Therefore, arming yourself with any weapon, lethal or not, is a fantastic idea.
I carry a pocket knife on me at all times, and so should you. That is what provides me with the feeling of protection as much as possible. Not only can I defend me in a time of need. But, I can protect others whenever I need to. I believe that any sound citizen should carry a weapon on them. That way, they’ll be able to defend themselves whenever they need to.
Conclusion
We can learn plenty about the topic of self-defense in the law from this post. However, if I can choose which information you’ll take away from here, I’ll pick the next point. Before using self-defense in any way imaginable, read the law regarding self-defense in your city. That way, you’ll ensure you won’t get into any useless trouble.
In addition, we learned that in international law, self-defense is legal. For that reason, you can act with physical force against an attacker if he provides a danger to others. However, once the hostile cannot respond with violence anymore, you cease your use of physical force. That will allow you to be innocent.