What happens if you shoot someone in self-defense, say when you are mugged?

Question

This is a hypothetical. But I always wondered about it. What about states/cities that don't allow guns, like Chicago or NYC. Do you go to jail?

Answer 1

If you are not a felon, and the gun is legally registered to you then there a several things that will happen. First if you shoot someone you will go to jail period. You will probably be released on bail and have to go to court. You will most likely be found not guilty of criminal charges unless you are carrying the gun illegaly. The main problem is that even if you are aquitted of the charges and your gun is returned to you, you will still most likely be sued by the victims family or even the victim in civil court. You will most likely loose, and have to pay them money even if they committed the crime and not yourself. I was taught this in a handgun course for carrying a weapon. I live in TN. and we are allowed to carry a gun if you pay and have no felonies.

Answer 2

of course you will go to jail , it has been a long time since the law was so that you could protect your home and family , this is kind of screwed up since the courts have ruled the police do not have a obligation to protect or to help you." L,A, during the riots and the poor trucker was dragged out of his truck ,and was being beaten when there were over 100 police within 100 ft, and would not help civilians rescued the trucker," yet if a law abiding citizen shoots some one who is threading his property or family and shoots the scum he will go to prison, but, old Ben Franklin said the government would be out worst enemy, remember?

Answer 3

Equal force is the usual rule of thumb. If the mugger has a gun you could use one, if not then you can get into trouble using a gun against someone who didn't have one. Of course all of this assumes you have the legal right to carry a gun in the first place.

Answer 4

If you don't have a concealed / carry gun permit, hell yes, you'll go to jail! Bernard Getz carried a small gun onto the NYC subway and shot some youths that threatened him with a screwdriver. A couple of them died & he went to jail, big time...

Answer 5

If your life was in danger, and you can articulate that you were in fear for your life (that part is very important) you might be OK.

You may be arrested pending the investigation, or you may be interviewed and given a summons. You will appear in court and be arraigned. At that time you will enter your plea of guilty or not guilty. If the DA feels that you should be prosecuted, they will probably present your case to the grand jury, who will decide whether or not to indict you for murder, negligent homicide, manslaughter, or a similar crime.

Just remember the self defense rule of thumb: it is better to be tried by twelve, than carried by six.

Answer 6

they will confiscate the gun and may charge you will illegal possession. But they might go light on someone who has a clean record and used in only in self defense.

Answer 7

It depends if they hit you and u shoot them maybe.But say for example if they do something real serious to you nothing will happen.But I didn't know that we had states/cities that didn't allow guns.NYC and Chicago you can have guns.

Answer 8

We have states and cities that don't allow guns? Where?

Answer 9

yes, you go to jail, in many states you can't use deadly force if youre life is not at risk, can't just kill to protect property.

Answer 10

DEPENDS ON WHETHER IT WAS A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. BUT CHANCES ARE THAT IF IT IS TRUE SELF DEFENSE NOTHING HAPPENS. IF THE GUN WAS UNREGISTERED YOU MIGHT GET INTO LEGAL PROBLEMS FOR THAT.