Analysis: Is it lawful self-defense to “run down” rioters surrounding your vehicle?

Legalinsurrection.com ^ | 9-22-2016 | Andrew Branca

[Mr. Douglas]

In Kentucky it is. All you have to say is, “That video of Reginald Denny kept going through my mind.”

In Kentucky, if you fear for loss of life or great bodily harm, it is legal to use lethal force.

We just had a case where a guy was the aggressor in a road rage case, but he was only verbal. The other guy then came at him with a baseball bat, at which point he shot the guy with the bat dead. He was found not guilty. He feared for his life of great bodily harm (one whack with a bat can kill you), justifying his use of deadly force. Who started it is not germane. It’s who escalated it that matters.

[Blood of Tyrants]

They surrounded my car and were screaming at me and beating on my car. I was afraid for my life. I would like to speak to my lawyer, please.

[Malsua]

The problem is that once they come at you, it may be too late. They could be milling around, no threat at all...then 3 seconds later your window is crashed and your skull next.

[Leep]

Reginald Denny would have been better off had he kept on truck’n.

[DesertRhino]

A reasonably slow steady drive forward is good. They cannot resist it, and will quickly fall away. It would also demonstrate that you did not have the goal of causing harm to them...only to escape.

[RC one]

Coming to a dead stop in the middle of an ambush is a really bad idea. It’s the worst possible thing you can do in fact. US military doctrine is pretty consistent on this.

[Jack Black]

Exactly. In between running them down and stopping is simply proceeding, at a greatly reduced speed. Something like 10mph is more than enough to quickly put them behind you, but slow enough that serious injury is unlikely to occur to them, and they certainly have time to get out of the way at that speed.

The problem I see is it only takes one libtard at the front of the line to lock up the whole street. Then you really are a sitting duck, and likely don't even have a route to escape by car if you want to.

[Envisioning]

Analysis: Is it lawful self-defense to “run down” rioters surrounding your vehicle?

I am afraid we will have a test case before too long the way things are going......just remember, they started it.

[Rebelbase]

[Bubba Gump Shrimp]

[MarchonDC09122009]

It’s crucial information posts like this that makes FR So essential!

Grateful FR (lurker devotee since 1998)

[vette6387]

“If surrounded by a pack of looting thugs, I’ll put the pedal to the metal and let the chips fall where they may.”

You read my mind. And if that isn’t enough, I’d call on Mr. SigSauer to help out.

[cynwoody]

I like the Flamethrower under each door idea

Watch its inventor demo it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLhWzMOccTg

[MarchonDC09122009]

Remember reading about that car side flame thrower enterprising S. Africaner marketed during SA’s turbulent late 90’s

[waterhill]

Had a pal who wholly messed up a dude at Fair Park. I mean bad. Ran off but called DP. SAID you find him. He was not gonna stick around. I would have done the same. Krav maga.

[Paladin2]

Is having a tail gunner a problem?

[LouieFisk]

This is a pretty good analysis by Legal Insurrection of the legalities involved, thanks for posting it.

[hal ogen]

The things you should say to the police: I want a lawyer. I feared for my life.

[mainevet]

would of been nice to see Counselor Branca include specifics regarding NC Castle doctrine in the article.

“Unfortunately, persons merely blockading a highway do not inherently represent an imminent deadly force threat–simply blocking a roadway cannot normally cause death or grave bodily harm”

until the 18 wheeler plows into your back end.

[BitWielder1]

A reasonably slow steady drive forward ...

I think yours is the winning sensible entry.

Charging forward at high speed is akin to shooting blindly into a crowd when only some of them are attacking you. It will get you in trouble.
Of course the final call is yours, you do what's necessary to survive. It's impossible to make rules that will work for every possible case.