Today’s Post of the Day focuses on the recently failed attempt by Maine to adopt a “stand-your-ground” law, meaning Maine remains one of the small minority of states that imposes a legal duty to retreat even when facing an imminent, unlawful, unprovoked lethal attack. Good job, Maine. What’s most surprising about this story, however, is […]
“Castle Doctrine” ≠ “Stand-Your-Ground” Read More »
Today’s Post of the Day focuses on reports that “handicap parking spot shooter” Michael Drejka is declining to pursue self-defense immunity under Florida law. That raises the question of how self-defense immunity actually works (and doesn’t work) and why Drejka might choose to decline this generous opportunity under Florida law to have his case resolved
Handicap Spot Shooter Declines Immunity Hearing Read More »
Today’s Post of the Day examines a Utah Supreme Court decision, State v. Bess, 2019 UT 22 (UT Sup. Ct. 2019), handed down earlier this week that affirms the misdemeanor conviction of a police officer for the crime of threatening with a dangerous weapon. But wait—don’t police routinely have to threaten people with dangerous weapons
A Badge Is Not a License to Threaten Deadly Force Read More »
Today’s Post of the Day takes a look at the recent appeals of ex-cop Michael Slager, currently serving 20 years for the shooting death of Walter Scott in South Carolina in 2015. This was a high-profile case because Slager, white, shot Scott, black, in the back as Scott was fleeing. (Video of the shooting is
Ex-cop Michael Slager: Murder versus Manslaughter? Read More »
Today’s Post of the Day involves a confrontation between two Pittsburg tow truck operators who got into a rapidly escalating scuffle that resulted in one of them being shot and paralyzed. Good shoot or unlawful use of deadly force? Tow-truck operation is often a highly competitive and sometimes confrontational business, and Pittsburgh is no exception.
Escalate to Deadly Force, Get Shot & Paralyzed Read More »
Today’s Post of the Day arises out of an event in Florida in which a motorcyclist fired three rounds into a man who punched him in the face, even though the motorcyclist did not first observe a weapon in the man’s possession. Is this “gun versus fist” scenario a violation of the element of proportionality?
Defending Against a Reasonably Apparent Threat Read More »
Today’s Post of the Day involves the sentencing of an Illinois man for murder. The interesting part of this case for gun owners? The man was sentenced to 40 years for the murder and then an additional 40 years as a firearms sentencing enhancement. Before we dive into firearms sentencing enhancements, however, let me make
It’s a Trap! Firearms Sentencing Enhancements Read More »
Today’s Post of the Day involves an upstate New York homeowner, 64-year-old Ronald Stolarczyk, who shot and killed two apparent home invaders, one a 57-year-old woman and the other her 27-year-old nephew. All facts in this post are as reported Fox News coverage of this story. Given these facts, it would appear that this was
“Gun Law” versus “Use-of-Force Law” Read More »
This Post of the Day focuses on a fatal police use-of-force event in San Diego in August 2017. The suspect was shot and killed by a police officer. This event has become news again after law enforcement recently released body camera video of the event in apparent response to the dead suspect’s family “demanding answers”
“Suicide by Cop” as Lawful Self-Defense Read More »
Hey folks, I trust everyone had a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. Today’s Post of the Day is a recording of my appearance last week on Arik Levy’s Firearms Nation Podcast, which he aired himself this past Friday. It runs about an hour, so enjoy! Also, this week we’re running a 50% off sale
Andrew guest appearance on Firearms Nation Podcast Read More »
