MMA fighters and disparity of force?

[climberpilot]

I was wondering if anyone has ever heard or thought of this...

I have several years of training MMA and a couple of amateur fights under my belt. Even though this was several years ago, would I have an even harder time proving disparity of force if (God forbid) I ever have to draw my weapon?

 

[~OtisM~]

Saw this somewhere on the site and googled it. Good stuff and something to remember always.

Ability, opportunity, jeopardy. Must be proven. Or agreed by a jury.

 

[Jay Pearson]

The bottom line when it comes to self defense and using your firearm.. you must be able to prove that 1. you were in fear for your life or the life of an innocent. 2. That you had no way to flee the situation safely. and 3. There was no other way to protect yourself then use your firearm... when it comes to MMA or any combat sport the only place that may come into play would be in the media after the fact....The best school of thought is don't pull your firearm unless there is no other alternative... I know of a situation where someone went to visit the city while carrying (legally) and used there firearm killing the other person... who was simply coming to ask for directions.. his girlfriend was in the car not 15 ft. from the incident...that person was charged with multiple crimes including manslaughter and negligent homicide because they were too quick to pull their gun.

 

[chelleendres]

I was wondering if anyone has ever heard or thought of this...

I have several years of training MMA and a couple of amateur fights under my belt. Even though this was several years ago, would I have an even harder time proving disparity of force if (God forbid) I ever have to draw my weapon?

My husband had a situation a few years back where he had got into a fight. The other Guy "snuck "my husband, leading to my husband whooping his a$$. In court, even though his charges were dismissed, my man was warned that because of his boxing, mma skills, and army background that he should have had "more control ". With that being said, thank God he didn't use our belief in the 2nd amendment!!! I couldn't imagine what the outcome could have been...even though my husband didn't start it?!?!?! My belief ...every states judicial system and every town in that states courthouse, is different.

 

[kelcarry]

As Jay said. You can be superman for all I care but if, "as a reasonable person, you presume that you are in imminent threat of death or great bodily injury you have a right" (at least in SC) to defend yourself and smoke the sucker. As in any case, you had better be right and able to convince a prosecutor of same.

 

[BluesStringer]

The bottom line when it comes to self defense and using your firearm.. you must be able to prove that 1. you were in fear for your life or the life of an innocent. 2. That you had no way to flee the situation safely. and 3. There was no other way to protect yourself then use your firearm...

There are a lot of states where #2 doesn't apply. Of course, one of those states is FL and the Zimmerman/Martin case has been widely reported as relying on the premise of "stand your ground" laws. I believe the ruling will be that it is not a SYG case and go to trial, where it will be decided on whether or not it was clear-cut self defense, or manslaughter or 2nd degree murder. However, as I understand the FL law, it will not be decided on whether or not Zimmerman tried to retreat, as there isn't a duty to retreat in FL.

There also isn't a duty to retreat here in Alabama, and I believe, if I recall correctly, around half the states have no duty to retreat.

 

[Purple]

The laws for using force vary from state to state. I would brush up on the laws of your state, which would give you a better answer to your question than the opinions you will get here. Every situation is different, every state has different laws, every court will have a different opinion. The one constant is that you use only the force that is necessary to stop the threat..whether you use your fist or a firearm. The other constant is that the lethal force option is only defendable in situations where you feared for you life or the lives others who were in imminent danger.

 

[carracer]

A reverse case several years ago in Idaho. Granted, alcohol was involved with both parties. An MMA fighter got obnoxious and started destroying property in the home. Was told to leave and refused. According to the defendant he them moved to attack the defendant who then shot him in the chest. Defendant convicted of 2nd degree murder.

Google: MMA, Eilers

 

[Smosley]

If you want to excellent information on Disparity of Force and the Use of Deadly Force, please check out this website. Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network, Inc.

There is a free document titled "What every gun owner should know about self-defense law", on the website that you can download. Excellent information.

 

[ivoryhandles]

If you are forced to draw you gun, why would you MMA training make any difference.

 

[The_Outlaw]

I was wondering if anyone has ever heard or thought of this...

I have several years of training MMA and a couple of amateur fights under my belt. Even though this was several years ago, would I have an even harder time proving disparity of force if (God forbid) I ever have to draw my weapon?

I don't care how much MMA training any individual may or may not have.
A determined and violent person armed with something as simple as a boxcutter or small knife could easily kill any unarmed person, even if that unarmed person was someone like a Randy Couture or a Tito Ortiz.
A person carrying a sidearm could also easily be killed by a violent person who is armed with an edged weapon within a distance of 21 feet or less. (See the 21 foot rule.)

Hopefully you will never have to utilize deadly force in a self defense situation, but at the end of the day if you are being threatened with serious bodily injury or death, it's better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6.

 

[lostone1413]

It really all depends on the state your in. Me being in my 60s and blessed to live in Arizona any younger guy attack me it would be disparity of force. I like the way one put it at my age soon as the BG chest pops out your hand should be on a gun or knife. Most people don't know how easy it is to kill someone with just your hands when your young and in good shape

 

[Todd Bateman]

Does anyone know the Oregon laws for self defense? Doesn't there have to be a threat of use of a deadly weapon for you to be justified in using a deadly weapon in response?