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CON No, you cannot shoot someone. Just call the police and they will take care of it. PRO (written by a retired court magistrate) In many US states, you may defend yourself using deadly force in your home, car, and even on the streets, as most courts would be inclined to rule in the victim's (i.e., the car owner's) favor (a growing number of communities are enacting laws which expressly give citizens the right to do so), but there are a few caveats: # You must be properly certified and/or licensed to use the weapon, whether you are a martial artist or wielding a gun (knives are other non-ballistic weapons are often a "gray" area as far as the law is concerned). # You must have a permit to carry that weapon, which must be properly registered (obviously, this would not be the case with felon parolees, as they are not allowed to carry guns). # You may not use most deadly force on an unarmed individual (e.g., when someone walks up to you, is unarmed, and merely says, "give me your car", without making any threatening moves). # You may not use any weapon when there is an alternative way out. In this case, if you were in the car, then just drive away; if your way is blocked by the thief/assailant, and you are forced to hit him/her, and you call the police as soon as possible afterward, many courts would accept that as reasonable defense. If you are out of your car, then you should not confront the thief (refer to the "con" answer, above). # You may not use deadly force until you have given the would-be thief a chance to run away, and with the above provisos. # If you use deadly force, even in a legal and proper manner (as strange as that may sound), you might still be arrested and charged with (attempted?) homicide, but, again, the courts would tend to side with the victim's (i.e., the car owner's) favor, and you would probably not spend any significant jail time. And, given our litigious society, if not outright gall, don't be surprised if the would-be thief hauls you into civil court for physical and emotional stress! (again, this would probably be dismissed, but I've seen judges and juries give astonishingly bizarre verdicts in favor of the criminal, so be prepared to face the consequences of your actions!)

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16y ago

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