Weapons Violations Attorney in Houston, Texas
When can a person use a firearm in self-defense?
When can a person use a firearm in self-defense?
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In Texas you can use deadly force to defend yourself when you are reasonably sure that you are being faced with imminent death or serious bodily injury. So if someone is coming towards you holding a gun, holding a knife, if they’ve broken into your home and are threatening you then you would be able to use a firearm in self defense in Texas. And I always caution people that this is a defense that you get to use in a courtroom. So it’s not a part of prosecution and it’s not a part of being arrested. So you could use 100 percent justified self-defense, end up getting arrested, and have to go to court and defend yourself.
Houston, TX criminal defense attorney Leslie Rebescher explains when a person can use a firearm in self-defense. In Texas, she explains, a person can use deadly force in self-defense when they are reasonably certain they are facing imminent death or serious bodily injury. For example, if someone approaches them with a gun or a knife, or breaks into their home while threatening them, they would be legally justified in using a firearm to defend themselves. She always cautions that this is a defense used in court—it does not prevent arrest. Even if someone acts in full self-defense, they could still be arrested and would need to defend their actions in court.
