Life is filled with dangers and struggles. Regardless of how the government ensures the safety of individual members of society, there always exist people with harmful and malicious intents. In addition, there are not enough law enforcers available to help whenever an individual is threatened of harm by others. Learning to defend one’s self is therefore a necessary undertaking. There are various methods on self-defense. Learning how to fight is perhaps the most basic of these methods. This involves learning hand-to-hand combat to disarm and restrain an assailant.
While this may be the most accepted method of self-defense, it is also the most risky as assailants may possess weapons. Carrying weapons, lethal or not, for self-defense is therefore another option that would make the odds between defendants and assailants even. Nerode Abraham (2008) explained that when an individual owns a self-defense weapon, that individual has “more viable opportunities of getting out of scary situations alive and hopefully unharmed. ” Furthermore, learning martial arts for self-defense takes time to master.
Learning to use non-lethal, self-defense weapons, on the other hand, only takes a few minutes to mater, thus, could be used immediately. No matter the choice of the method of self-defense, knowing how to defend one’s self involves responsibilities. There is a maxim which states that “not because you can does it mean you have to. ” Paolo Provenzano (2000) explained there are requirements to the privilege of self-defense. Apprehension from another party must of course be present for any claim to self-defense to be valid.
Furthermore, Provenzano (2000) explained that “the privilege of self-defense is triggered only where a person is reasonably apprehensive of serious bodily harm or death. ” The person who have the means for self-defense also have the duty to warn the assailant. It is often possible that a sufficient warning will deter an impending attack from an assailant. Provenzano (2000) continued that the use of force “should be used in response to a threat or in prevention of harm only when an assailant will not respond to reason.
” There is also a duty to retreat when lethal force will be applied by a person claiming self-defense privilege. There are, however, exceptions to this rule. Provenzano (2000) explained that there is no “obligation to retreat when an assault takes place on the defendants premises and… when the defendant can no longer retreat safely. ” It must be noted that the duty to warn and the duty to retreat is necessary to avoid conflict as much as possible.
The use of force, weapons, or personal protection equipment for self-defense is applicable when all other option failed. It is also advisable that a person not use excessive force in the application of self-defense. Provenzano (2000) stated that “the defender may apply only the degree of force a ‘reasonable’ person would deem appropriate to repel an attack under the circumstances. ” He continued that “once the decision to fight… is made, no greater amount of force than necessary to stop the threat should be used” (Provenzano, 2000).
Provenzano (2000) explained that there is little distinction “made between the person who attacks unprovoked and one who provokes a person then uses defense as a justification for their action. ” He advised that just as “a martial artist should never initiate an attack upon an innocent person” he or she should also “not fight unless no other choice exist[s]” (Provenzano, 2000). Using weapons, lethal or not, carries much responsibilities just as learning how to fight in defense of one’s self.
Charles H. Bronson (2004) shared some reminders with keeping concealed weapons. First of these reminders is that “a license to carry a concealed weapon is not a license to use it” (Bronson, 2004). This reminder, however, assumes that an individual had already obtained license to carry concealed weapons. Bronson (2004) explained that “a person carrying a concealed firearm without a license is guilty of a felony of the third degree” with a penalty of serving in prison for up to five years.
Concealed weapon includes “handguns, electronic weapons or devices, tear gas guns, knives and billies” (Bronson, 2004). The use of concealed weapon is justified only to protect one’s self or another person from death or serious harm resulting from a forcible felony. Bronson (2004) explained that using or displaying concealed weapons, most especially handguns, in any other circumstances other than specified above could result in “conviction of crimes such as improper exhibition of a firearm.
” Bronson (2004) also reminded that the law considers even an unloaded gun to be a deadly weapon when pointed at someone and should therefore never be used to gain leverage in an argument. Just like Provenzano, Bronson (2004) advised not to “use deadly force in self-defense unless you are afraid that if you don’t, you will be killed of seriously injured” and not to use it excessively in case no other option exists but to use it.
Abraham (2008) explained that “the entire purpose of of self defense is to render your attacker defenseless as quickly as possible so that you can escape to a safe place. ” Learning to defend one’s self carries with it responsibilities. In case there is a legal case filed against a person who is purported to act in self-defense by the assailants or other agencies who see the circumstances as otherwise, the law will only be able to protect the defendant if they have acted within the law.
The use of deadly force is justified when an individual is trying to protect him- or herself or even another person from an assailant that would cause in death or serious bodily harm. It is also permitted for the prevention of forcible felony such as rape, roberry, burglary or kidnapping. With all the risks and consequences of self-defense, one must hope that he or she may never find it necessary to use force or weapons in self-defense. References Abraham, N. (2008). 3 reasons why you need a self defense weapon.
Retrieved
May 9 2009 from http://www. articlesnatch. com/Article/3-Reasons-Why-You-Need-a-Self-Defense-Weapon/274873 Bronson, C. P. (2004). Use of deadly force for lawful self-defense. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing. Retrieved May 9, 2009 from http://licgweb. doacs. state. fl. us/weapons/self_defense. html Provenzano, P. (2000). Use of force. Retrieved May 9, 2009 from http://ftp. pwp. att. net/w/a/wabokujujitsu/articles/force. htm