Q: Being 22 without a carry license; if I where to defend myself against an armed assault what could happen?
22yr old on a public sidewalk, walking and an armed assault where to occur. Defending themselves and possibly killing the assailant.
Georgia Laws?
A: No one can give legal advice on how to handle a violent assault when you are armed. However I can advise you on several legal grounds. First, unless you have a concealed weapons permit, you cannot carry a firearm that isn’t in plain view. Second, lethal force to defend yourself is only permitted if you have good reason you are about to be seriously injured or killed. Most self defense cases that succeed involve being attacked by another person armed with a knife or gun as these would clearly make someone fear for their own life or the life of someone they are with. Lastly, just remember that if you are alone when this assault occurs and the other person is killed, you have no witnesses to back up your version of what happened. This is also why most self defense claims are successful when you are in your own home and someone breaks in. Cases that happen at night outside the home make proving self defense inherently more difficult - but not impossible. Again, none of this can speak to every scenario which might occur but these are the most important things to know about self defense and how it functions. I hope this assists you.
A: The carry license is for carrying a concealed weapon. As far as self defense, that is very fact specific and depends more on what can be proven and less on what actually happens.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
