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« Newspaper response to UN denial of self defense right | Main | More on Utah decision re: universities »

Video on self defense

Posted by David Hardy · 10 September 2006 06:21 PM

Just finished watching a DVD, "Deadly Force," available here. It's essentially a training film on when you can use deadly force. Several re-enactments, with commentary on whether it would be proper or not. Input from a retired deputy on what he looked for when he showed up at a probable self-defense case, and from a retired county attorney on what he looked for when deciding whether to prosecute.

It won't win an Academy Award, but this is a film you watch for content and education. Chuckle -- the deputy actually had investigated a case where a shopowner shot a burglar outside, far outside his premises, and dragged the body back in, put it in front of the cash register, and claimed it was a robbery. Of course there were drag marks all over, and the burglar had been shot in the back, so the guy wound up pleading to manslaughter. As he pointed out, once you find out the crime scene has been re-arranged, you naturally start to doubt everything the person said.

I liked the practical point: if you're cold and shakey, you may have grounds to use deadly force. If you're hot with rage, you probably don't.

It also has interviews with long-term criminals. Their story matches what one guy, who knew some burglars, told me. It makes burglars avoid houses where someone is home -- way too dangerous. In the US, burglars tend to go in only if they're sure nobody is there. One says that he gave up residential burglary after he got shot at -- from then on, he only did businesses at night. I like the burglar who suggested that homeowners should warn the burglar they have a gun, and give him a chance to flee, before snuffing him. He had a friend who was shot by surprise by a homeowner, and he seems to feel that was unsporting.

· Self defense

2 Comments

Stan | September 11, 2006 8:22 AM

I have used the VHS version for years to play for a class for CCW applicants on the general law of firearms and in particular when and where you can carry concealed and unconcealed in Colorado. The subject matter has been changing rapidly for the last few years. The acting in Deadly Force is pretty bad but the points it makes are dead on. (no pun intended)Also as I tell my classes, there's a modicum of liablity protection for me.

Cindy | September 11, 2006 2:02 PM

Yes, it makes really good points -- things to remember. I first saw this video in a Concealed Weapons class in Arizona and everyone learned from it. I bought a copy and I've lent it to friends because I think its a darn good idea for anyone with a gun to know what will happen if you use it.

I actually thought the acting was great -- more like real life than Hollywood stuff!