is it legal to shoot an attacker in self defense??

Question

Years ago my friend said a woman is allowed to shoot someone in their foot as to not kill them but stopping them if they were raping or attacking her somehow

I don't think I have the heart to shoot someone I would most likely resort to pepper spray for protection, but is this true?

Would a woman or anyone in general go to jail for this?

Answer 1

Well your example is different. If you are intending to kill someone in self defense you are doing so because your life is in danger or you could be seriously injured or maimed. You cannot shoot an attacker in the foot to thwart an attack, shoot at center body mass. I am in law enforcement and I cannot shoot in the foot to stop someone, if I draw my gun I am intending to kill someone, plain and simple, that is the law. Pepper spray is not the same as shooting someone because you cannot kill someone this way, you can injure them but death is not forseen so you have the right to use mace/pepper spray. You will not go to jail for defending yourself with pepper spray, again you are not intending to kill you are intending to stop someone from harming you and when the threat has ceased you are no longer in danger and can get help.

Hopefully you never have to use it.

Answer 2

There are some countries were isn't allowed to shoot to anyone, even in self defense. However, a jury may find reasonable to shoot at anyone too dangerous for you, as in the example you wrote. You should check the law of your state, because it may be legal in some states, but not in yours.

Answer 3

In the states you have the right to use whatever force is necessary to defend yourself from bodily harm.
In some states that stretched even further.
In some states all firearms must be registered so if you shoot someone with an unregistered gun you could still be charged with possessing an unregistered firearm. It has happened many times.
Really, you need to ask a question like this of someone in your local area who would be knowledgeable concerning the local laws. A lawyer, police chief, etc.

Answer 4

Self defense is legal in most places. It is RIGHT in ALL places. If you need to use a gun, NEVER aim for a foot. Shooting to injure is a good way to get killed. Shoot to disable at minimum. If shooting is justifies at all, shooting to KILL is justified.

Answer 5

The law says use deadly force ONLY if you reasonably believe that lethal force is about to be used against you, or against another person in you proximity. You have to understand that even if you are exronerated criminally, you still can be sued by the person you shot in civil court for damages, and there are many nighmare stories where the person shot or his heirs have prevailed over the person acting in self defense of themselves or others.

Answer 6

In many states - if you're in fear of your life - you may shoot the attacker...
be prepared to deal with the legal system
if this happens.

Answer 7

You'd better have a good reason for killing someone, not like that criminal Joe Horn who shot two buglars who were unarmed and of no threat to him. That's called a vigilante and you'll go to jail for that.

So "self-defense" requires some strong proof---bodily harm to yourself, a weapon used against you, assault on your person, etc.

Just gunning down some "creep in the street" who's yelling at you----no, that might get you in BIG trouble.

Answer 8

If a person feels that their life is in danger, they have the right to defend themselves, whether its shoot to kill or shoot to stop..

Answer 9

Attack him if he attacks you.
Shoot him if he shoots you.
That seems to be just.
I am no lawyer.

Answer 10

A foot? You would be aiming at the wrong place, girl. And you are only thinking theoretically. If someone was brutally raping you, you would get over your momentary guilt.