Q: Can I use a Pellet gun for self defense in Colorado?
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A: The type of weapon you use to defend yourself is only one factor in the consideration. What the situation is surrounding the use of force will determine if you have the right to use self-defense and what type of force is justified.
Michael Joseph Larranaga agrees with this answer
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A:
From a general perspective, a pellet gun is not a good self-defense weapon. Having owned and used pellet guns before, pellet guns are typically used to hunt small game such as prairie dogs, rats, and so on. While it could theoretically deter a person and perhaps hurt them if you were to hit them in a sensitive spot such as the eye, I would think you are just as likely to be stabbed or shot by someone who thinks that the pellet gun is a real gun. If you are looking for a non-lethal, talk to your local self-defense store about a taser or pepper spray.
Otherwise, I agree with Mr. DeChant that self-defense is a question of reasonableness based on the situation. Flipping the scenario, many pellet guns look like real guns. So if you brandish one, it may not be unreasonable from a self-defense perspective for the other individual to use a real gun against you and then claim self-defense. Food for thought when making your choice. Police have shot people over toy guns. Overall, it just seems like a poor choice.
Please be aware this is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and application is fact specific.
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