interesting scenario leading to a question...

[UltimaSE]

Just some background I guess is in order. I'm currently residing in Philadelphia, which seems to be open to ccw, but some stories I've heard have placed it on the not so friendly list. I am currently carrying with a Florida non-resident permit, and honestly all contact with law enforcement has actually been pretty good.

So today I went to get my haircut, and in the middle of it, someone stumbles in from the front door. I'm facing the opposite way of the door, which is unsettling, so I can only see through the mirror. As this gentleman staggers in he begins begging for money. The shop owner doesn't really speak english so I mention that I'm sorry we can't help you. He turns towards the shop owner and again asks for money, the shop owner, a fairly small asian female is too stunned to answer. At this point I mention that she doesn't speak english so again we can't help you.

At this point he takes a few steps forward placing himself now within 4 feet of myself and 2 feet of the shop owner (in hindsight WAY WAY too close), now remember I'm sitting facing the opposite direction still, and better yet I'm not wearing my glasses. At this point I'm turned towards him in my chair and trying to gauge what he's going to do next. I'm still covered by the haircutting drape, but at this point I've began indexing my thumb under my shirt and have obtained a positive grip.

He stood there for a bit, then threatened to be back later and left.

I know there's a few problems with this encounter, but the biggest one was, I realized after this encounter that had anything happened, I don't have anyone to refer to, ie I don't have a lawyer.

Does anyone in the Philadelphia area know someone that is trustworthy and knowledgeable about CCW law? I'm still a student so I don't know when I'll be able to pile up some funds to speak to someone, but I figure at this point IF I intend to carry, then I need to have some chips on my side IF the worst case scenario occurs.

Thanks in advance guys.

[headcase]

Just some background I guess is in order. I'm currently residing in Philadelphia, which seems to be open to ccw, but some stories I've heard have placed it on the not so friendly list. I am currently carrying with a Florida non-resident permit, and honestly all contact with law enforcement has actually been pretty good.

So today I went to get my haircut, and in the middle of it, someone stumbles in from the front door. I'm facing the opposite way of the door, which is unsettling, so I can only see through the mirror. As this gentleman staggers in he begins begging for money. The shop owner doesn't really speak english so I mention that I'm sorry we can't help you. He turns towards the shop owner and again asks for money, the shop owner, a fairly small asian female is too stunned to answer. At this point I mention that she doesn't speak english so again we can't help you.

At this point he takes a few steps forward placing himself now within 4 feet of myself and 2 feet of the shop owner (in hindsight WAY WAY too close), now remember I'm sitting facing the opposite direction still, and better yet I'm not wearing my glasses. At this point I'm turned towards him in my chair and trying to gauge what he's going to do next. I'm still covered by the haircutting drape, but at this point I've began indexing my thumb under my shirt and have obtained a positive grip.

He stood there for a bit, then threatened to be back later and left.

I know there's a few problems with this encounter, but the biggest one was, I realized after this encounter that had anything happened, I don't have anyone to refer to, ie I don't have a lawyer.

Does anyone in the Philadelphia area know someone that is trustworthy and knowledgeable about CCW law? I'm still a student so I don't know when I'll be able to pile up some funds to speak to someone, but I figure at this point IF I intend to carry, then I need to have some chips on my side IF the worst case scenario occurs.

Thanks in advance guys.

http://www.criminallawyerphiladelphi...possession.php

[FormerUser123]

gunlawyer001 (I know, we always default to him, he's just so damned helpful. It's a gift...and a curse lol) is in DelCo, I believe. There are plenty of very knowledgable people in Sector 6 and Sector 7 that I have no doubts will chime in here. I'm not one of the knowledgable yet, but I don't doubt someone else will be able to help out. It's a good group around here.

[evilash]

Better read up when your allowed to use deadly force... we don't have the same laws as in FL.... Basically no matter what you could not fire upon him in PA unless he was in progress of deadly action.

[mjfletcher]

http://reference.pafoa.org/statutes/...justification/

18 Pa.C.S. § 505: Use of force in self-protection

(a) Use of force justifiable for protection of the person.--The use of force upon or toward another person is justifiable when the actor believes that such force is immediately necessary for the purpose of protecting himself against the use of unlawful force by such other person on the present occasion.
b(2) The use of deadly force is not justifiable under this section unless the actor believes that such force is necessary to protect himself against death, serious bodily injury, kidnapping or sexual intercourse compelled by force or threat; nor is it justifiable if:

18 Pa.C.S. § 506: Use of force for the protection of other persons

(a) General rule.--The use of force upon or toward the person of another is justifiable to protect a third person when:
(1) the actor would be justified under section 505 of this title (relating to use of force in self-protection) in using such force to protect himself against the injury he believes to be threatened to the person whom he seeks to protect;
(2) under the circumstances as the actor believes them to be, the person whom he seeks to protect would be justified in using such protective force; and
(3) the actor believes that his intervention is necessary for the protection of such other person.

Deadly action isn't the only circumstance where lethal force is justified, but outside of the home they all have the requirement of retreating if it can be done with complete safety.

[press1280]

But what about brandishing? AFAIK that wouldn't be considered deadly force and should have sent the message for this bum to go away.

[son of the revolution]

But what about brandishing? AFAIK that wouldn't be considered deadly force and should have sent the message for this bum to go away.

There is NO brandishing law in Pennsylvania !