I obviously can read.
What is Considered Self-Defense in Missouri?Under Missouri Revised Statutes 563.031, a person may use physical force to defend themselves or others if they reasonably believe that someone is using or is about to use unlawful force on them.
The law provides three elements for physical force to qualify as self-defense:
Imminent threat.There must be an immediate danger to prompt physical self-defense. This danger may be in the form of aggressive actions or threatening words. “Imminent” means it is approaching urgently, and not, for example, a threat that was made two days ago.
- Reasonable fear.The person must be reasonable in believing that the danger in front of them warranted self-defense.
- Proportionate force.The physical force used in self-defense must be proportional to the perceived threat. For example, it may not be considered proportional if one person shoved another during an altercation, and the other responded by firing a gun. On the other hand, if the attacker pulls out a knife and moves to stab the other person, the use of a gun could be argued as proportional force.
Missouri law further allows the use of deadly force as self-defense, but only in these situations:
- A person reasonably believes that deadly force is necessary to defend themselves or others.
- A person is defending themselves from someone who has unlawfully entered their property or a property they are leasing.
Shooting a Cop through a door meets none of this.
Ask this guy.
Andrew Lester, 84, was charged Monday with two felony counts of first degree assault and armed criminal action after shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl, a high school student who rang his doorbell by accident, Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson said at a news conference.
“Castle doctrine doesn’t apply unless he’s an intruder. And there’s no 'stand your ground' because there’s no threat,” Tackett said of Yarl, adding that Yarl could be classified as a trespasser but, still, shooting a trespasser would result in criminal charges. |
