Is it ok to kill in self defense?

This is a very loaded topic, but I'll give my opinion anyway. I think killing in self-defense should only be a last resort, when all diplomacy has failed. Even then, it's still a tragedy and it's still murder. There's no denying that. :|

For the record, murder is "is the unlawful killing of another human being with intent," according to Wikipedia, easily making killing in self-defense count as murder in the court system.

[QUOTE="xxxAdvocatexxx"]

No... Its okay to defend yourself. If you accidentally kill someone then its not your fault... But after you kick someones ass, that just attacted you... You can't just give them the final blow... That would be an intent to kill...

Brainkiller05

Very insightful, I'm amazed at some people for failing to have even the slightest amount of human decency when it comes to taking the life of another.

I never heard about the incident with the shopkeeper, I should look that up. Does the case have a name?

[QUOTE="Brainkiller05"][QUOTE="xxxAdvocatexxx"]

No... Its okay to defend yourself. If you accidentally kill someone then its not your fault... But after you kick someones ass, that just attacted you... You can't just give them the final blow... That would be an intent to kill...

Hot-Tamale

Very insightful, I'm amazed at some people for failing to have even the slightest amount of human decency when it comes to taking the life of another.

I never heard about the incident with the shopkeeper, I should look that up. Does the case have a name?

[QUOTE="xxxAdvocatexxx"]

No... Its okay to defend yourself. If you accidentally kill someone then its not your fault... But after you kick someones ass, that just attacted you... You can't just give them the final blow... That would be an intent to kill...

Brainkiller05

I read in a magazine (I think it was MAXIM) thatin some states (not sure which ones) you could kill in self defense and get away with it. Like if someone were on your property threatening to attack you or steal your things or whatever, you could kill the attacker or theif and get away with murder.

Now I'm not saying you should do this. I wouldn't. Maybe a shot in the foot or arm if someone were in my house stealing my things. But xxAdvocatexx, (Hypothetically speaking) What would you do if someone had a gun or knife or whatever weapon and threaten to kill you or your family? Wouldn't you rather see the attacker dead than your family? kill or be killed?

[QUOTE="Hot-Tamale"]

[QUOTE="Brainkiller05"] This, people seem a little "harsh" ie. saying it's ok to shoot a guy in the face if he punches you. As for coming into your house etc, a part of me says well he's only trying to steal your television, there's no need to kill him, beating him with a baseball bat or scaring him with your gun, though yeah he could have a gun etc. it really depends on the situation, but killing someone in self-defence shouldn't be intentional. If it was me personally I'd go downstairs, probably shoot a couple of shots to scare him off or shoot him in the leg or something, if he was standing there with a knife or my TV in his hand there's no way I'd aim at his head and shoot, that's just not reasonable (which might sound absurd since he's on your property) but the very worst that would come from the situation is you lose your television, is that really worth taking someone's life over so you can save your television? :lol: Thanks gamespot for messing up the html and removing the paragraphs :) Also reminds me of that shop worker who got arrested, his stored was robbed by some teenagers and he shot them both, they were both lying on the floor practically bleeding to death and they obviously posed no threat to the shop keeper at this point and he then walked over to them and shot them in the face. and people actually defended him. Brainkiller05

Very insightful, I'm amazed at some people for failing to have even the slightest amount of human decency when it comes to taking the life of another.

I never heard about the incident with the shopkeeper, I should look that up. Does the case have a name?

That's still a terrible thing to do. I hope he rots in jail for murdering that boy.

[QUOTE="Brainkiller05"][QUOTE="Hot-Tamale"]

Very insightful, I'm amazed at some people for failing to have even the slightest amount of human decency when it comes to taking the life of another.

I never heard about the incident with the shopkeeper, I should look that up. Does the case have a name?

Hot-Tamale

That's still a terrible thing to do. I hope he rots in jail for murdering that boy.

That pharmacist went too far. The boy was unconcious. Just one bullet would have done it.

But still, those little punks deserved what they got. Why would they rob a drug store in the first place? Little morons.

Absolutely.

But only if the other guy also as an intent to kill.

So long as that person presents an actual threat to your life then yes but not if there are alternatives to killing said person.

if someone is trying to kill me of course i'm going to fight back

I notice a lot of you guys are saying yes but do you really think you could go through with killing someone? I can but I would try to find any other way to stop a person before going down that path. Do you think about that persons family? Maybe he/she has wife and kids and the person you just killed was the only income the family was getting. Now that family is gonna die on the street. Killing one person just led to the death of more.Rob0_Jesus

[QUOTE="Rob0_Jesus"]I notice a lot of you guys are saying yes but do you really think you could go through with killing someone? I can but I would try to find any other way to stop a person before going down that path. Do you think about that persons family? Maybe he/she has wife and kids and the person you just killed was the only income the family was getting. Now that family is gonna die on the street. Killing one person just led to the death of more.ferret-gamer

I saw an episode of 20/20 a while ago that put people in a class room and armed them with paintball guns to simulate one of those kind of 'columbine' scenarios. When the gunman entered, about 90% of the people froze, 8% ducked behind the desks, 1% couldnt get their guns in time and only one of the people managed to get off a few shots (though they were fairly inaccurate). I guess if you knew someone was trying to hurt you i.e. they came at you and said 'I'M GOING TO KILL YOU" then I'm sure a lot of people may be able to defense themselves. If it was completely unexpected I doubt anyone on this board would be able to react (unless they were trained to do so).

I would say that that's a given

We were talking about this in morality class and wanted to know what you thought. Most of them said Hell Yes.Rob0_Jesus

I think it is alright myself.

I don't think it's morally acceptable, no. It's practically acceptable.

Yeah if someone attacks you unprovoked there as good as meat.

There is no question about it. If someone tries to kill you, kill them first.

We were talking about this in morality class and wanted to know what you thought. Most of them said Hell Yes.Rob0_Jesus

[QUOTE="shoot-first"]

I'm sure if it was necessary, yes.

Rob0_Jesus

Depends on the situation.

If someone goes with a knive at me I would break that arm so that he cannot use it anymore

If someone wants to use a gun I would try to disable them, if they are too strong for this or it won't work I guess I would have to kill them first.

Its quiet simple... if you pick up a gun with the intention to kill another human being you have surrendered your right to live for that moment.

It depends on the situation. I think in self defence you may do it by reflex, like punching the solar plexus without realising what you're doing. I think everyone should be taught self defence in school, so they can learn ways to neutralise attacks without leaving permanent damage. Thats what i'm pushing for at my old school.

It wouldn't bother me in the least to kill someone in self defense.

Depends on the situation.

If someone goes with a knive at me I would break that arm so that he cannot use it anymore

If someone wants to use a gun I would try to disable them, if they are too strong for this or it won't work I guess I would have to kill them first.

Its quiet simple... if you pick up a gun with the intention to kill another human being you have surrendered your right to live for that moment.

Mydral2005

I don't have a problem with it.

[QUOTE="Rob0_Jesus"]I notice a lot of you guys are saying yes but do you really think you could go through with killing someone? I can but I would try to find any other way to stop a person before going down that path. Do you think about that persons family? Maybe he/she has wife and kids and the person you just killed was the only income the family was getting. Now that family is gonna die on the street. Killing one person just led to the death of more.THE_BRUTALIZER

Yeah, and if the person trying to kill me I would feel much better killing that person instead of letting him/her raising a child.

Yes, but how about torturing for defensive matters?
Say someone has kidnapped someone you love, and he doesn't want to say where he keeps him/her. Is it ok to torture the kidnapper in order to get where your loved one is?

I would

We were talking about this in morality class and wanted to know what you thought. Most of them said Hell Yes.Rob0_Jesus

Yes it is.

On a side note, the majority of people equate this with selfishness. It is, and there's nothing wrong with selfishness. Nothing at all, unless you personally don't believe in it. It's just another case of others trying to shove their beliefs down your throat when you are free to believe what you want.

LOL at some people's over confidence in taking down someone with a kinfe. I think 'you would kill them' should be changed to 'I hope I could do something if the situation ever arose.'

Seed-timing-distance-size-movement=not easy things to take into account and just act upon. Honestly if someone was bigger than you yes, there's a chance you could disarm them. But to say you outright would, that would take years of training in self defence AND the situation to even happen to know for sure.

Depends. If your lfie in danger or are you over reacting? I'd say if you know your life isn't in complete danegr and you take a life then it's wrong, but if it's either me or him or one of my family members or him it's definitely going to be him.

Yes it is ok. If it can be avoided, let it be avoided.

But if it isnt then the lack of choice and the fact that its done on defense are important factors when deciding about the morality of such an act.

I notice a lot of you guys are saying yes but do you really think you could go through with killing someone? I can but I would try to find any other way to stop a person before going down that path. Do you think about that persons family? Maybe he/she has wife and kids and the person you just killed was the only income the family was getting. Now that family is gonna die on the street. Killing one person just led to the death of more.Rob0_Jesus

If they're threatening my life, yes. It's all instincts then. Afterwards it will most likely bother you though. But at a time when your life or a loved one's life is in danger, you don't really think, you just react.

This is a very loaded topic, but I'll give my opinion anyway. I think killing in self-defense should only be a last resort, when all diplomacy has failed. Even then, it's still a tragedy and it's still murder. There's no denying that. :|

For the record, murder is "is the unlawful killing of another human being with intent," according to Wikipedia, easily making killing in self-defense count as murder in the court system.

Hot-Tamale

"unlawful". Killing in self-defens is "lawful"...

[QUOTE="Rob0_Jesus"]We were talking about this in morality class and wanted to know what you thought. Most of them said Hell Yes.ufcfan17

it depends on the situation really

[QUOTE="ufcfan17"]

it depends on the situation really

ariz3260

This. What if you are the one that instigate the attacker to attack you in the first place?

The line was crossed by the person that's threatening your life. He/She had other choices.

Listen, it goes like this...

A guy tries to kill you, then you would want to kill him back, wouldn't you?

There. So yes, it is ok.groundgamer

Its more like "you are now trying to kill me and the only way to stop you from doing it, is to kill YOU instead"

Although of course those thought processes are not conscious.

Unless I misinterpreted your post.