Does a "license to kill" actually exist in the world?

Question

Can some governments really issue such freedoms?

For those who think I was just thinking 007: Yes, James Bond does have one as a fictional character - but I'm not asking about that. Think outside of that.

And for everyone: thanks for all the responses! They did help!

Answer 1

Privateers (hired pirates) were used in wars gone by. One government would give them a charter authorizing them to act as their agent against ships of the enemy. Kept the guy out of trouble with the one government but the other still considered them a pirate.

Snipers are sometimes told to go kill a particular person, such as an enemy General in Vietnam. They had a "license to kill" that one particular person and any troops that got in their way, but kill a civilian by mistake and that was a problem.

Mossad and other intelligence agencies often go after a particular person. That again is a "license to kill" that one particular person.

But as far as a "license to kill" anyone who you want, no.
No government is going to allow such unlimited power in the hands of a spy, soldier or other person.

Answer 2

I have always thought that there was but i recently heard a British spy talking on radio 1 http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/documentaries/061117_007.shtml - (click listen to doc) and he stated that a liscene to kill was just a myth. In Britain, if you are an agent you have to obide by British law around the world. A spies job is to collect, not to be an assasin. I'm sure that this is the same in all western countries but probably different in the east. It sound as if you are quite interested in this and agents. The website link will explain it all. Tell me if it helps. Enjoy

Answer 3

Kinda.

Depends on the government and what part of the world. Just about all the governments in the western world put strict controls on when lethal force can be used. But in many other societies, (for example the Taliban) people were literally empowed to use lethal force at will.

Answer 4

Yes any government can give a person the power over life. Of course if you believe 007's liscense to kill is acknowledged in China, you would be sorrily disappointed. Just because one nation says it's ok doesn't mean any other nation has to listen.

Answer 5

license to kill vis-a-vis James Bond doesn't mean 007 can just go around slaughtering who he wants, or even that it's legal. Just that he can do it and MI-6 will turn a blind eye to it, and help cover it up if neccesary. That's all. And yes government often authorized "hits" in this manner.

Answer 6

If escalation of force is necessary, a soldier or security contractor should follow the rules of engagement accordingly. If that means killing - so be it.

The only thing that MIGHT parralell with what you have seen on TV (James Bond stuff) would be what I call "Black Ops". These are missions/operations that, if caught, your existence will not be acknowledged by the government (why would they want to stain their image just because you were busting your azz for them...).

Answer 7

Ask 007 aka James Bond.

Answer 8

We give private security contractors in Iraq a license to kill, they cannot run around and shoot anyone they please but within reason they can kill people.... like terrorists and anyone trying to harm them or those they are protecting.

Governments in general can, it just depends on the government, Soviet Russia would have no problem giving you the license to kill someone who was against "the party".

Answer 9

Only James Bond has one of those. (Even then it was only metaphoric.)

Oh and James Bond is fictional character.

Therefore a "License to Kill" is a fictional document.

Answer 10

Yes, some governments issued temporary licenses for mass murders during WW2.