Just so I am clear on some things...... If someone is under attack, it is acceptable to fight back by whatever means necessary.

Yes and I also believe the same about chronically abused people, like victims of human trafficking or children of abusive homes, if they have the opportunity to escape and it goes as far as killing their abuser in cold blood, then so be it.

No... you always use self defence in "reasonable proportion".

If a burglar breaks into your home tonight and doesn't see you sitting there on your sofa, so you startle him and he runs away - would it be reasonable for you to shoot him in the back as he runs??? No. He damaged your property when he made entry, he probably startled you, too... but, shooting him is not proportionate to the crime he committed in this case.

Let's say our burglar has a gun pointed at you... you believe that, if you don't shoot him, he's going to shoot and kill you. Would it be reasonable to shoot him or have another member of your household do so??? Absolutely - in this case, you feel that the threat to your life is significant enough that not taking action will lead to certain death.

If someone is trying to physically attack me, my family , or break into my house … 2 in the chest and one in the head !

In what context?

Firearms, tanks, helicopters etc are for regular military units engaged in a war - and we can all hope for less wars.

Swords are archaic militarily, far too many knives are used as weapons by street thugs.

If you mean at a personal level the best defence is first of all do your best to avoid trouble, the second is flight if at all possible, third, trying to defuse the situation. Physically, being able to use unarmed combat skills may give you sufficient break to escape the coward who is trying to attack you, or make him flee.

Life is more important than anything else, and although self-defence might be allowed as legal defence in Court, depending on your country's law, killing anyone is illegal!

.......

This post has particular significance in the UK.

Firstly there is a serious problem with knife crime particularly among boys and young men often caught up in drug-dealing gangs (so a double problem there) but also carrying knives for so-called "self-defence".

I do not know how serious this is numerically, but that it exists at all is serious. The Police and criminologists who have investigated it have discovered that those who carry knives are more likely to be victims of others. Why, I am not sure but I assume bravado as word gets around.


Further now, to two nearly-coinciding events.

The first is that machetes, so-called "zombie knives" and similar - weapons made purely for killing people - have just become illegal, after an amnesty inviting handing them in without question.

The second was the trial last week of two boys who used a machete to murder a complete stranger to them for no motive. The victim was 19. The murderers were aged only 12, mere children, at the time. They were sentenced to Life* with a minimum tariff of eight years; but being only 13 now will be in some form of secure juvenile accommodation, not an adult prison, until they turn 18.

Notable in this case was that one boy had had no previous police or social-services record. The other had an awful history of exploitation; and one wonders if, when and how his parents are going to be called to account for their neglect or abuse.

*(Literal "life" sentences in prison with no prospect of restitution and release are very rare, used only for exceptionally egregious crimes by people unlikely ever to repent or be safe to release. In any Magistrates or Crown Court trial the sentence is set at the end of the hearing, by the magistrates or judge; and according to sentencing guide-lines set in the relevant law. A Crown Court might defer sentencing to a later hearing after considering background reports. Neither the prosecution nor defence can call for any particular sentence.)

People expect you to use appropriate measures as best you can. If you have a stuck and a flamethrower, and some comes at you with a knife, use the stick to knock it away first. If you start with the flamethrower you’ll get in trouble.

Why you had both of those for self defense raises questions though.

If you off someone drag them in the house. It's also why you keep an unregistered throwdown weapon to place next the corpse! 👍

You can't apply any level of force you want, but imo you should be allowed to escalate if you're the target. Shooting someone for throwing an empty plastic bottle is probably a little far, but you should 100% be allowed to clock someone in the mouth for pushing you or whatever.

what i have learned is that some believe that it is okay for me to send weapons to other people to defend themselves, but if someone tries to break into my home, i cant use a weapon to defend myself or the lives of my kids.

Depends on their opponent. The means need to match the level of threat.

You say "necessary " but in reality, our perception of necessity can overlap with personal whims.

If a kitty scratches your leg and you chop its head, it is cruelty. Because there wasn't real life threat. It is easy to judge a person in that case. We can all agree it is crazy.

It is much more complicated than that when it is two people, one strong and the other is weak.

But in principle, everyone should have the right to defend themselves. Hopefully they just don't abuse that right and forget about compassion. There are certain situations where you just have to let it go because the person attacking you is ridiculous. Just punch or few slaps and that's enough.

hopefully, i will never be in a situation to find out. if i am, then i am ready. but, i hope no one actually looks forward to killing another person. i have worked in a prison 32 years. i know guys who had to kill others inside for self defense. i have seen things that i hope others never have to see. and this is why i prefer peace to violence. because i have already seen enough of violence. you prepare for war, but you hope and pray for peace.

I believe new york. Law says you must run away (retreat) from an aggressor first.

What if a frenemy invites you over to their place, kills you, then claims it was self defense?

If someone tries to punch me I'm going full tilt!! Don't care if they have a weapon or not. Head injuries are devastating, why should I risk my well being in order to consider the safety of someone that clearly intends me harm?
I won't hang out and wait for the cops either, they have no intention of pursuing justice.

Those situations( being attacked by someone) does not come with a set of pre-conditions! It can easily come down to you or the other person surviving.
If you can disable your attacker, do so in a manner where their life will be permanently adversely affected. And if it’s your survival…take them out permanently.

were I can live you can use force to defend yourself.

if a reasonable person would find your situation to be life threatening you can even use deadly force.

pretty much the same rationale involving warfare - and if you're the winner in a conflict you can even use nuclear weapons.

Sure. If somebody is attacked, they have the right to use any skills and tools at their disposal to defend their life.

Then you have the guy who shoots somebody through their door because they feel they are under attack.

And if I am under attack, I can call my neighbor and demand that he send some weapons over to assist me and if he doesn’t want to, I can guilt trip him, right ?? lol

If you didn’t expect to be attacked, you better be prepared to realize you might not expect what comes next from your attacker(s). Drfend yourself!..by whatever means need to be used.

Yes up to the point that your reaction is very much out of proportion to the remaining threat. So no chasing the attacker and beating them to death.

self defense is sometimes needed.. defending someone else is also sometimes needed. depends on what is happening at the time.. mark

Yes. Just don’t defend yourself in New Jersey

Only if you are rich. Then you can get away with anything.

Yes. This includes abortion which is a form of self defense.

Not really.
Ethics don't change with attacks, theoretical or real.

If you're a normal nation or individual, yes.

Then what does Ukraine need USA for?

Glad you're such an optimist.

What about self defence nukes?

Yeah - I'm good with that.

In Europe not 😒

I think you are right.

Yes.

Absolutely.