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I "stopped the threat" because I "feared fer mah life."

Feared for life, has absolutely nothing to do with STOPPING A THREAT!!!!!!!

It just might be that you feared for your life in one situation.
But what about rape??
What about arson??
What about protecting a third party, where you can leave unharmed???

When you draw a weapon, you draw it to stop a threat.

Dan

I sat in on Charles talk about a year ago in Dallas and I seem to recall him saying something to the effect of, "I fear for my life when my mother-in-law is driving, but it doesn't justify deadly force on my part." Seems that I recall him recommending something along the lines of, "I just shot a man who was going to (trying to) kill me." That seems to sum it up my fear and threat pretty well.

No dsiparagement intended toward Charlse's mother-in-law.

seamusTX wrote:Here is a discussion of this topic that took place exactly one year ago. It involves some insightful people who no longer participate in the forum.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9680

- Jim

Thank you, Jim, for directing us to this thread. I was not aware of it and it has certainly help me to understand the use of these different phrases. My CHL instructor who was a deputy Sheriff for several years and he advised us to say "I was in fear of my life" when involved in a self defence situation. But, after reading the thread you posted it has certainly helped me to understand this better. Thanks,

-geo

I'm glad you found it helpful.

"I feared for my life" is a sort of magic charm that may swing public opinion in your favor (which is why the police use it), but it has little weight in court.

The bottom line, which I don't think can be repeated too often, is that you must have a factual justification for your actions according to the law. Emotions such as fear are irrelevant.

- Jim

never "shoot to kill", shoot to stop the threat, but the threat is what puts you in fear for your life!