If someone slashes your face with a knife, do you have the Right to shoot them?

[Maryland Patriot]

You might want to check with a cop or attorney as to what charges you would face if you shot and killed someone who may have attacked someone else, but didnt attack you.

An armed citizen has the same rights and responsibilities as a police officer when confronting a dangerous felon. If while you are armed you observe a violent attack take place in your presence and you use your weapon to either effect a citizen arrest of the attacker, or if you are forced to shoot him because he resists or attempts to flee, so long as you have acted within the boundaries of necessity and your action is appropriate, what charges could be lodged against you?

It's your scenario, so what charges do you have in mind?

What happens if you start shooting at a criminal that didnt attack you and you miss the criminal and shoot some innocent person. Do the cops just let that little mistake slide by?

Of course not. What happens if a cop does that? (Think it never happens?)

the majority of the time when a cop does this, it is downplayed and swept under the rug.
Dont count on equal treatment if you as a civilian make this same mistake.
Its the responsibility of any gun owner to be well trained and to know when its best not to shoot.

 

[MikeK]

the majority of the time when a cop does this, it is downplayed and swept under the rug.
Dont count on equal treatment if you as a civilian make this same mistake.
Its the responsibility of any gun owner to be well trained and to know when its best not to shoot.[/QUOTE]
You are absolutely right! Which is why I am a strong proponent of training for any civilian who wishes to carry a gun. In fact I believe the government should subsidize a nationwide training program for qualified citizens.

The right kind of training will eliminate the vast majority of problems associated with armed civilians, most of which are the result of ignorance.