Self Defense and the Law

There are many factors to be considered when the use of self defense is used. Many states differ with their opinion on what they consider valid self defense. These things include the extent, who it is used on, who is using it, and the reason why.

The act of self defense is the use of force to defend one's person from an attacker or a threatening situation. The force must be reasonable. Self defense is in place to protect you from being convicted of a crime if you afflict harm on the person who is attacking you. A good example of self defense is if you had a struggle with a robber and ended up using the robber's weapon against him. You will not be responsible for causing harm to the criminal.

Some states vary what they consider self defense. You may have a can of pepper spray in your purse for personal protection. If you are approached by an attacker in the parking lot of a store and about to be car jacked then the use of your pepper spray would be appropriate and could ultimately save your life. Some laws in certain states would say that the use of the pepper spray would be inappropriate and illegal.

The extent is a big factor when self defense is considered. How far is it that you had to go to defend yourself against the attacker? When you use self defense and you have a gun you might shoot the attacker. When the extent is taken too far , such as when you continue shooting into the attacker when all you had to do was disable the person so you could get away.

Who you use the self defense on is another factor that has to be considered. You may think you are defending yourself if someone puts their hands on you but the person is a factor. For example, when you are thrown out of a nightclub by a few bouncers you do not have the right to physically defend yourself with pepper spray, tasers, stun guns, or anything else. You are not allowed to use physical force against police officers and any official that is restraining you for any reason. This could land you in jail.

The reason why self defense is being used is a big factor. If you have personal protection devices that you carry on you for safety and you are in a situation where you feel unsafe you can use them. Circumstances such as where you are walking down the sidewalk late at night and you are approached by a person demanding you to come with them then you have the right to protect yourself.

There are many factors that the government will consider when they look at cases of self defense. Know the laws in your state. Know which personal protection devices you can use and to what extent you can use them. You don't want to go to jail for fighting off a rapist. It has happened in the past.

Simple Steps to Safety and Security

Every twelve minutes there is a robbery. Every 36 seconds there is an aggravated assault. That’s not 36 minutes. That’s 36 seconds. I know we all like to think that we live in bubble, but our safety and security is not something that can be taken for granted. Your bubble will burst when you least expect it and something as simple as mace or pepper spray can keep you from being another victim.

In the vast majority of cases robbers and attackers succeed because their victims are not prepared. They don’t expect them to fight back because they intend on being the one in charge. The best thing you can do for your safety is to be alert and be prepared. It doesn’t take much. By keeping handy a some simple items like a can of pepper sprayed or mace can heighten your security and deter an attacker. Just by seeing that you have a defensive item ready to use can make them turn and run.

What is great these days is that you don’t have to carry around a big red can of pepper spray. Many personal safety items are small and inconspicuous and can be easily carried. There are many safety items that aren’t what they appear. For example there are lipstick pepper sprays, or maces that look like pens. Or even a small taser that looks like a cell phone. We all want to keep our children safe, but how many of them really want to carry around an “uncool” can of pepper spray. Your young college student will have no problem carrying around the taser that looks like a cell phone or the red lipstick that is actually a mace. Something that will easily fit into their pocket.

Your security goes beyond what you carry in your pocket or keep in your glove compartment. For example, the jogger. The last thing you want to worry about is carrying around a can of pepper spray when you’re running. Would you carry one if it actually aided in your workout? Probably would, right? You can use a handheld weights with a built in mace spray. Not only are you stepping up your workout, but you’re stepping up your personal security too. Do you jog in a neighborhood that has lots of dogs? Ever come across one that you just weren’t sure about? Carry a pepper spray made especially for dogs. Pepper sprays don’t work on animals like they do on humans and you need to be just as safe from the dogs as you do the humans.

Another thing that you should think about is the security around your home. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars and monthly payments on home security systems. There are simple things that you can do to step up your home security. You can set up your own security cameras and keep a watch out yourself. And, having a visible security camera will turn robbers around. If someone does get in to your home, don’t keep your valuables in the obvious places. A robber is not going to take their time. They look in the obvious places. Keeping your important items in a diversion safe will save you lots of money and heartache. You can get them in many different, even fun forms. What robber is going to think of looking for your diamonds in a jar that looks like peanut butter or can of hairspray?

You never know these days when your safety is at risk. Times are changing and security needs to be a priority in everyone’s lives. As the times change and our lives change so do the ways that we can keep ourselves safe and secure. There are so many different options out there with mace, pepper sprays, tasers that anyone can find that one items that will fit into their daily lives and will be simple and safe for them to use. Be aware of what is going on around you and know that you can protect yourself from being a victim.