Use of ForceQuestion 67 of 200
An armed guard observes a person actively swinging a baseball bat at customers' heads inside the store. The guard's firearm may be used:
a.When the guard reasonably believes deadly force is necessary to defend against an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury to themselves or others
b.Only after the suspect inflicts a fatal blow
c.Only to wound the suspect in the leg
d.Only with a verbal supervisor's authorization by radio
Explanation
California's deadly-force standard (PC §835a(c)(1); People v. Humphrey reasonable belief analysis; Graham v. Connor totality test) authorizes deadly force only on a reasonable belief of imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. Active bat strikes to heads plainly create such a threat. Waiting for a fatal blow (b) is not required and would be tactically catastrophic. 'Shoot to wound' (c) is a training myth — firearms training is shoot center mass to stop a threat. Radio authorization (d) is not a legal prerequisite for self-defense.
Law Reference: Cal. Penal Code §835a(c)(1); People v. Humphrey (1996) 13 Cal.4th 1073Practice all 200 questions free — no signup required.
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