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Originally Posted by NORMAL550GIRL
Good point.
Depends. I'm sure you've heard the phrase "you can't bring a knife to a gun fight-" well as far as the law is concerned, whomever escalates the situation is the one at fault.
So, if you are attacked, with fists, and you defend yourself with a knife, you're at fault...if you're attacked with a knife and you defend yourself with a gun, you're also at fault. If you return fists for fists and knife for knife, you're ok (at least legally).
All of this of course, is dependant on case-by case facts. If you respond to fists with fists, but you happen to be a black-belt (or, you know, otherwise deadly like ...uhm, say an SF soldier) you just might be the one found guilty.
These are just the very very basics and "surface" of the law, so don't get too worked up about it.
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You are incorrect.
Deadly force may be met with deadly force, as long as it is applied reasonably and IAW the law.
If you are a 6'6" 275 pound martial artist, and you attack an elderly woman, she has the right to utilize deadly force to defend herself from what could reasonably be a lethal encounter, to include a firearm.
If you threaten me with a knife (or a baseball bat, a screwdriver, etc.), and are within a range where you could possibly harm me (usually considered to be 21 feet or less) before I can defend myself, I can employ any deadly weapon to protect myself, including a firearm.
If you brandish a firearm, and threaten me with it, and I have reason to be afraid for my safety, I may lawfully engage you with any lethal weapon I possess, to include another firearm. Obviously, if I engage you at 1000 meters, and you have a knife or a pistol, that is not reasonable.
There is no requirement that my response or weapon be proportional so long as you are offering a deadly threat to me, and have the means and opportunity to inflict it. The only requirements are that I have reason to fear for my life, and that you are threatening to harm me with force or a weapon that could be considered to be lethal.
There are some local nuances as far as rightful possession of the firearm, location in home, business, or vehicle, ability/duty to attempt to withdraw etc., but by and large, if you meet the above circumstances, I can shoot you until you have ceased being a threat to me or my family.
TR