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VegasGeorge
09-02-2007, 12:35 AM
Here are the relevant Nevada statutes re self defense issues.

NRS 200.120 “Justifiable homicide” defined. Justifiable homicide is the killing of a human being in necessary self-defense, or in defense of habitation, property or person, against one who manifestly intends, or endeavors, by violence or surprise, to commit a felony, or against any person or persons who manifestly intend and endeavor, in a violent, riotous, tumultuous or surreptitious manner, to enter the habitation of another for the purpose of assaulting or offering personal violence to any person dwelling or being therein.


NRS 200.160 Additional cases of justifiable homicide. Homicide is also justifiable when committed:

1. In the lawful defense of the slayer, or his or her husband, wife, parent, child, brother or sister, or of any other person in his presence or company, when there is reasonable ground to apprehend a design on the part of the person slain to commit a felony or to do some great personal injury to the slayer or to any such person, and there is imminent danger of such design being accomplished; or

2. In the actual resistance of an attempt to commit a felony upon the slayer, in his presence, or upon or in a dwelling, or other place of abode in which he is.


NRS 200.200 Killing in self-defense. If a person kills another in self-defense, it must appear that:

1. The danger was so urgent and pressing that, in order to save his own life, or to prevent his receiving great bodily harm, the killing of the other was absolutely necessary; and

2. The person killed was the assailant, or that the slayer had really, and in good faith, endeavored to decline any further struggle before the mortal blow was given.

Retreat: A person who is not the original aggressor has no duty to retreat before using deadly force, if a reasonable person in the position of the non-aggressor would believe that his assailant is about to kill him or cause him serious bodily harm. Culverson v. State, 797 P.2d 238 (Nev. 1990).

Genghis77
09-24-2007, 03:41 PM
Good post on the Nevada justifiable defence laws. I think that is pretty much what you will find in most other states as well. Exceptions places like Massechussets and other places where you don't likely have legal access to a gun.

There are a number of people that might be under the impression they can shoot or kill to lesser situations. Don't take this as a suggestion but in a shooting defence incident you are likely better off if it results in a kill. Wounded the criminal might have a different side to the story. I have heard others say what they would do in a given situation. I suggest refraining from those statements. You are far better of simply leaving it as you will do what becomes necessary under the circumstances.