Can you shoot someone who is robbing your business?
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Can you shoot someone who is robbing your business?
Asked on October 23, 2012 under Criminal Law, Texas
Answers:
B.H.F., Member, Texas State Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Though not the recommended course of action... Texas does have a self-defense statute that allows you to use comparable force against another when your person or property are threatened. There is not a specific formula that the law prescribes-- but instead uses a "reasonable person" type standard. For example, if a person is threatening you with a gun during the robbery-- you can defend yourself and your property with a gun. However, if the person just says "give me your money" and does not have a weapon and does not purport to have a weapon, the choice to use deadly force may not be considered reasonable-- because it's not comparable to the amount of force being exerted against you. You could still raise it as a defense, but it will be up to a judge or jury to decide if your use of force was reasonable under less threatening circumstances.
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