Reddit reviews The Law of Self Defense, 3rd Edition

I have read legal advice that teaches you to offer your name, the fact that you needed to defend yourself, additional exculpatory information (such as assailants weapons), and the location of witnesses that observed the fight. The reasoning was that a simple or hardline "don't talk to the police" stance might risk that evidence being missed, or the witnesses not being interviewed in time. You NEED that stuff to clear your name, and it's probably better if you direct the cops to that evidence. You're not giving up a whole lot by giving up that little bit of information.

Other than that, he says, you take the fifth. Not much different from this advice.

The Law of Self Defense, 3rd Edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01F9FAJBA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-tdMAbG5FJGAJ

If the story by the witness in the link is accurate, the CCW holder was the initial aggressor and could be charged with second degree murder or voluntary manslaughter.

I've been reading this book lately, and I highly suggest it to anyone that frequently has questions like this.

I heartily recommend you read this book:

https://www.amazon.com/Law-Self-Defense-3rd-ebook/dp/B01F9FAJBA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497645297&sr=8-1&keywords=law+of+self+defense+3rd+edition

Read the book The Law of Self Defense by Andrew Branca. It's a quick read - only about the first half is the actual text, the second half is the appendix (state laws, etc).

That one book completely changed my mind about situations like you mentioned. A good chunk of it's dedicated to defense of others, and it was a real eye opener.

My answer to your question: I wouldn't fire unless he turned his gun towards me. I'm not going to put myself in a position where a prosecutor decides to come after me because I shot someone that didn't even know I was there. I wouldn't yell at the criminal because that same prosecutor might twist that to mean I was the instigator.

The justice system isn't there to protect you, and you shouldn't count on it to agree with your opinion on what is morally correct.

All the basics

https://www.corneredcat.com/contents/

A bit more advanced (in the armed self-defender context)

https://www.integratedskillsgroup.com/blog/guns-of-isg-handgun
Straight Talk on Armed Defense: What the Experts Want You to Know


Know the Law
The Law of Self Defense, 3rd Edition

Deadly Force - Understanding Your Right To Self Defense

> I am having a very tough time getting a reputable website with good information

Michigan Penal Code: MCL Act 328 of 1931

> hold it in my hand pointed at the ground, in hopes they will decide it's not worth it and leave me be?

> so I am open carrying as a deterrent?

Can you articulate how these acts represent "self-defense" and is not displaying in a threatening manner, nor intended to induce fear in another person??



> MCL 750.234e: (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person shall not willfully and knowingly brandish a firearm in public.


> (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to either of the following:

>>(a) A peace officer lawfully performing his or her duties as a peace officer.

>>(b) A person lawfully acting in self-defense or defense of another under the self-defense act, 2006 PA 309, MCL 780.971 to 780.974.



> MCL 750.222(c): (c) "Brandish" means to point, wave about, or display in a threatening manner with the intent to induce fear in another person.

Can you articulate how the situations you describe (beating a shovel on the ground, or you being a smaller person picked on by somebody wanting to fight) represents "self defense" as described by the MI Self-Defense Act?

> MCL 780.972: (1) An individual who has not or is not engaged in the commission of a crime at the time he or she uses deadly force may use deadly force against another individual anywhere he or she has the legal right to be with no duty to retreat if either of the following applies:

>>(a) The individual honestly and reasonably believes that the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent the imminent death of or imminent great bodily harm to himself or herself or to another individual.

>>(b) The individual honestly and reasonably believes that the use of deadly force is necessary to prevent the imminent sexual assault of himself or herself or of another individual.

I highly recommend reading Andrew Branca's Law of Self-Defense book ($10 for Kindle version!) or/and Massad Ayoob's Deadly Force book ($11 Kindle) for an more in-depth exploration of the principles. Branca also does a state-by-state statute breakdown.