self defense distance

[larson1385]

I have the current Pa laws regarding firearms but I can't find out if by law there is a minimum or maximum distance required to claim self defense if you use deadly force with a firearm.

[R L Suehr]

I have the current Pa laws regarding firearms but I can't find out if by law there is a minimum or maximum distance required to claim self defense if you use deadly force with a firearm.

There's really no set distance that would guarantee justification or not in a defensive situation. It would matter more as to the threat of death or bodily injury and weather you can prove to a jury that you feared for it. The further away the threat is I would think it gets harder to prove you were in imminent danger.

[Cyclops]

Not being an expert, I cannot answer with absolute assurance of being correct. However, I have not ever read or other hears of a self defense distance under PA Law. The more reasonable standard is proof that you were in real danger, regardless of distance. That could be 1 foot or 100 yards. A person aiming a rifle at you from 50 yards away is a real danger, just as is a gun that id jammed in your ribs by a person next to you.

[ungawa]

Are we talking a point threat or an area threat?

[Steve in PA]

I have the current Pa laws regarding firearms but I can't find out if by law there is a minimum or maximum distance required to claim self defense if you use deadly force with a firearm.

You can't find anything because no such ruling exists.

It all comes down to;

Ability - does the person have the ability or means to cause you serious bodily injury or death.

Opportunity - can the person actually inflict serious bodily injury or death on you? A person armed with a knife has the ability, but if the person is on the other side of a fence or 20 yards from you, they have the ability, but not the opportunity. If the person armed with a knife, bat, club, hammer, etc closes the distance, then things change. If a person is armed with a gun, then he can inflict those things at distance.

Immediate threat - are you facing an immediate threat? In other words, if you don't do something you stand to be killed or seriously injured.

Preclusion - not often taught, but it means you had no other options.

No distance can be set for using deadly force, it all comes down to the circumstances at the time of the event.

[ErSwnn]

I have the current Pa laws regarding firearms but I can't find out if by law there is a minimum or maximum distance required to claim self defense if you use deadly force with a firearm.

As you see, there are no laws or other legal terms defining distance as a criteria for SD. An often used parameter...and it is very general and arguably inaccurate...is 21 feet. This is the supposedly the distance an attacker can cover before you can draw and fire. So, a guy with a knife theoretically can be on you in 20 feet. Not taken into account is an attacker's ability to cover a given distance. So you may hear this idea, and it is based on real world experiences.....but discount it as a realistic value to defending yourself in court.

I have heard it is a distance police use to determine a threat level but I can't claim I know this as a fact.

Me, I carry a tape measure just in case.

[Qtrborecrazy]

Just don't shot em in the back.

[Just1more]

Classes discuss the self defense distance using the Tueller Drill.

[God's Country]

I have the current Pa laws regarding firearms but I can't find out if by law there is a minimum or maximum distance required to claim self defense if you use deadly force with a firearm.

Curious, what makes you think this is something that requires legislation?
Why does lawful self defense require a distance...in your mind?

Wondering what led you to this question?