THE DEADLY FORCE PARADIGM REVISITED: CAN – MAY – SHOULD – MUST

In a 2012 year-end post, I offered a decision paradigm on the use of deadly force. (HERE). The paradigm consisted of four elements — usually considered ad seriatim.  My paradigm remains a work-in-progress. I write now to restate it in a stand alone post, and to add some broad thoughts on the elements.  (I expect to tackle the elements in more depth in future posts).

Deadly Force Paradigm

CAN –  do I possess (to a reasonable certainty) the necessary equipment, skills, and mindset to accomplish the task (i.e., WIN)? This element should be addressed objectively, long before the moment-of-decision presents. Common sense in “equipment” selection, and repeated training and practice are essential.  Being physically fit is definitely part of this element.  (HERE).  Have you done all you can to be truly prepared to respond in a deadly force encounter?  By the way, which is paramount — equipment, skill, or mindset? Always?

MAY – is the use of deadly force within the law  (and in policy for the sworn acting in official capacity and/or within the scope of employment)? This element is also addressed objectively, long before the moment-of-decision presents. There are good books and lectures around for general information, and some for state specific analysis.  The latter is very, very important.  The legal concepts are not always the same for the LEO and non-sworn.  When deadly force is used other than in defense of self, the legal issues become more complicated.  Have you considered the legal and moral imperatives for having less-lethal equipment and skills?  (HERE).  What about advance decision-making for the “aftermath?”  (HERE).

SHOULD – are the “rewards” significantly greater than the “risks”? Everything you are/have and ever will be/have are at stake. This element introduces subjectivity.  Many firearms and “personal defense” trainers include this topic (one way or another) in their preset curriculum or address it by responding to questions and hypothetical scenarios. That’s fine, but their analysis cannot definitively answer much for you — you must have thought about and through “it” in advance. I stray away from providing others guidance on the SHOULD, other than to, in somewhat knee-jerk fashion, say sheepishly, “mind your own business.”  But, I will note I am not the arbiter of what “your business” is, you are.  Except, when something else is in play .  .  . or maybe not.  (HERE, HERE, and HERE). Bottom line:  It is your gunfight, your life, your future, etc., not the trainer’s.  (HERE).  No matter how you stack up on the CAN, success in a deadly force encounter often includes some luck. A well-executed spin of the wheel can still produce varied results.  Maybe it’s just a “crap shoot?”  (HERE).

MUST – will you or someone you cannot live without die or suffer great bodily injury unless deadly force is applied? This element calls for application of objective and subjective reasoning, grounded in your knowledge bases of the CAN and MAY.  You will be second guessed . . . by those who were not present and have not had a similar experience.  Does that really matter?  (HERE).  Pardon me for asking, but do you know what constitutes great bodily harm and what “weapons” can cause it? The applicable legal definition of deadly force?

What about the interrelationship of the elements? Something well north of most of the time, a green light on the CAN and MAY doesn’t compel a green on the SHOULD. (Never lose perspective, especially just because there is a stand your ground law applicable).  Similarly, a green on the MAY and SHOULD doesn’t mean the MUST is invoked.  There are alternatives to the use of deadly force: Avoidance, disengagement, de-escalation, non-deadly force.  Does it “go without saying” that noble intention, green lights on the MAY and SHOULD, and application of the MUST, may not matter a whit if you don’t possess the CAN?

Do you think that if you really, really excel at the CAN, maybe little else matters, because you won’t find yourself in a place/situation where it becomes necessary to analyze the other elements?  Or does sh*t just happen no matter how well trained and prepared you are? Something else to ponder — you can “win” your deadly encounter, but nevertheless suffer the dreaded “negative outcome.” Hat tip: The Tactical Professor (HERE).  Yes, you may win, but nevertheless suffer a trial.  Trial or no trial, you do not get a do over.

Your thoughts?

 Video Link: From The Untouchables —  “The Chicago Way” —  HERE

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About Steven Harris

Steven Harris (Florida Bar, 1979 - Martindale "AV" and Preeminent) consults and co-counsels with other defense attorneys in "self-defense" cases, and represents federal agents and state and local LEOs in duty related disciplinary and use of force matters. He writes and lectures about OIS, duty-related legal issues, and self-defense law for the nonsworn. He writes regularly (since January 2020) on related topics for Florida lawyers in Forum 8, a monthly Bar newsletter. See https://www.8jcba.org/page-18058. Steve has also authored articles in numerous legal, accounting and business publications for over 45 years, and is a co-author of a two volume treatise on federal criminal and civil tax and money-laundering litigation, which has been cited by several federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. Steve has been shooting various competition handgun disciplines for more than 30 years.

8 thoughts on “THE DEADLY FORCE PARADIGM REVISITED: CAN – MAY – SHOULD – MUST

  1. Good, cogent article.
    I’m amazed and a little scared by the number of people who claim that they will shoot someone who is stealing their car or trespassing on their property. (I’m not a car thief or a trespasser.) The same people love to advocate firing warning shots.
    I sometimes attempt to explain that that’s not legal, and I get sophistry about “I worked and paid for that property, so it’s part of my life”, or just, “Shut up, libtard!” Those people aren’t doing us or themselves any favors.
    I doubt if any of them will ever read your article.

  2. Steve, as usual you have taken on a serious and complex topic and provided clarification and direction in a manner that is easily understood. Many of us think that we are prepared for the worst, but many of us have never faced the worst and really don’t know how bad it and the fall out attached to it can be. Your insight is rare and extremely valuable. Thank You, I look forward to your future articles.

  3. Mr. Harris,

    After reading your previous article on your “deadly force paradigm” some time ago, I have spent a healthy amount of time considering it.

    I have changed it slightly, and I see it as pertaining to all aspects of life, not just violent encounters; as such, I call my version the “progression of necessity”. It goes: can, may, ought, shall, must. Can, may, and must are the same as yours, but I broke should into two separate categories.

    Ought means that there is a moral our ethical expectation to take action in a given situation. For example, one ought to assist an elderly person with a cane up a fight of stairs.

    Shall means there is a legal imperative to take action, like a cop who’s “on-duty” 24/7, even when he’s just out at the gas station.

    Please let me know what you think,
    Wesley

    • I like it! I was going to get into something similar in a later post on the SHOULD, but now you have done some, maybe all of the heavy lifting!

      I am sure you noticed my links to articles on aiding an LEO and active killer intervention. They are examples of your “ought” and “shall” processes.

  4. I might further define the “Can” part with “Will” you, and “Able to”. There are those who have a gun because they think it will scare off the boogeyman, but are not ever willing to use it. They should be counseled to get a dog, pepper spray, or an alarm.

    Once they are willing, does the “Able to” portion of the “Can you” come into play.

    Good Stuff!

    • Is not your “will” mindset? The “able to” equipment and skill? How would you prioritize those? Mindset – equipment – skill?

      • For us, yes. But not everyone. John Wayne’s character in “The Shootist” has a good few lines on willingness.

        I have seen those who own a gun “for protection”. They would never actually hurt anyone with it, just scare them away. The gun is some magic rabbits foot for them. Think: VP Biden’s advise on shotguns for home protection. So yes, I would add “willing” to shoot someone to save yourself or another person before the “can”. It is a (hopefully) small subset of gun owners.

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