If you are being attacked and use self defense should you be punished? I think that if you are protecting yourself or some one else you should not have charges presses against you. You are only trying to protect yourself and if you did not start it then you should not be held responsible for it.
In general, yes, you should have that right. You would probably be wise to use judgment in your response of reasonable force. If someone throws a small rock at you, it is probably not wise to give them 2 to the chest, 1 to the head with your 9mm. If you want to stay out of prison anyway. But, if your life is in danger, you should be able to respond in kind to protect yourself.
Unfortunately Stu spoke volumes there. Years ago I had a couple of gang bangers show up at my door looking for someone that never resided here. One was reasonable when I told them this but the other was looking for trouble. Long story short I called the guy "dude" and he threatened to cap me. Enough of that. I shut the door and called the police. The cop asked me if I had a gun and I told him no. He suggested I get one and went on to tell me if I shot someone on my porch I should drag him in the house so they could say he was in my house. I am not anti gun. Just never cared for them and after that incident decided having one wouldn't be a bad idea. I called a friend that did a couple tours in Viet Nam and his first question was "if someone eners your house do you want to hurt or kill them?". I said kill them. I ended up buying a gun for home protection with the help of another friend. I hope I never have to use it.
I feel the same way with home defense. I know how to handle a weapon and have had plenty of training but I am not a gun collector or enthusiast or a hunter. They aren't of much interest to me, really. However, I feel it is best to have that particular option in my own home but I do hope nothing ever comes to that.
I also have a gun for protection in my home. I hope I never have to use it and I also hope you never have to use yours.
I have a Colt Gold Cup, a really nice .45 for protection. And I have taken the concealed carry class here in AZ. You have to be very careful, a gun, even in " self defense" can get you in trouble. I encourage al gun owners to to take a class or at lest study your states laws very diligently.......
