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Several events over the past year or so lead me to this question.
Is fear of harm/death caused by another sufficient reason to kill them?
Regardless of what the current law is, where do we draw the line between a person claiming a threat of attack/death by another person as a justification for killing that person, and allowing a person in such a situation to defend themselves from harm or death using lethal force?
In some cases, the current laws seem to allow a person who for one reason or another (poor preparation, misunderstanding of situation, nervousness, etc.) thought they were going to be attacked or killed - to kill another person and face no significant consequences.
In other cases, the same laws may allow a person who is actually being threatened and in danger of death to defend themselves by killing the person who was going to kill them.
Yet there seems to be a worrying trend of higher profile events wherein police officers shoot an unarmed person, or a person who is not threatening them, due to claimed fear for their life. Whether this actually was the case, or they're just claiming it to save themselves from prison time, it seems we need to prevent such things. If at all possible.
But how?
More and better training for police?
Stricter internal controls to remove unfit officers from the police force?
Higher pay to attract and retain the best possible officers?
All of the above?
Either way, the original question which prompted me to write this, in poll form:
Is being afraid for your life sufficient justification to kill a person?
Is fear of harm/death caused by another sufficient reason to kill them?
Regardless of what the current law is, where do we draw the line between a person claiming a threat of attack/death by another person as a justification for killing that person, and allowing a person in such a situation to defend themselves from harm or death using lethal force?
In some cases, the current laws seem to allow a person who for one reason or another (poor preparation, misunderstanding of situation, nervousness, etc.) thought they were going to be attacked or killed - to kill another person and face no significant consequences.
In other cases, the same laws may allow a person who is actually being threatened and in danger of death to defend themselves by killing the person who was going to kill them.
Yet there seems to be a worrying trend of higher profile events wherein police officers shoot an unarmed person, or a person who is not threatening them, due to claimed fear for their life. Whether this actually was the case, or they're just claiming it to save themselves from prison time, it seems we need to prevent such things. If at all possible.
But how?
More and better training for police?
Stricter internal controls to remove unfit officers from the police force?
Higher pay to attract and retain the best possible officers?
All of the above?
Either way, the original question which prompted me to write this, in poll form:
Is being afraid for your life sufficient justification to kill a person?