Discussion of the legal ramifications of shooting a clown

[Miker12]

So let's consider the obvious scenario from this post:

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest ... e-18975974

Two children are living in fear after being chased by a knife-wielding man dressed as a 'killer clown'.

Mum Zoe Woodward, 25, says she caught a glimpse of the clown's red wig after her two young boys ran in to the house "screaming in terror" on Sunday.

They told their mum they were chased by a "fully grown man" who "ran at them with a knife".

Sooooooo, the question is, legally, where do we stand? Personally, a good shoot would be the answer. But what would the jury think?

[Steve_In_29]

Happened in the UK...not going to be shooting anyone there and probably get arrested for clown abuse if you defended your children.

In America...yes good shoot.

[smithers599]

Note to self: go buy some CPB (clown-piercing bullets).

[Crippledtrigger]

Clowns should be shot on sight, vermin. Creepy bastards, I still cant walk by drainage on the street at night without look for the red headed bastard.


Seriously, if this is a publicity stunt for the new film someone didnt quite think it thru. It will get someone killed. Or the banning of sharp pointed things depending on the locality de-evoloution into peasant hood.

Wow I used 2 made up words in a row.

[What]

More than likely clown will cease at gun point or as soon gun is wielded.

Though, I won't be surprised if shot on sight and charge won't be pressed.

[smithers599]

Judge to Defendant: "Why did you shoot him?"
Defendant to Judge: "He was acting funny."

[17-21-23]

Well in these days if it happened here in the states make sure clown has real knife. Make sure he is on your property. Make sure he enters your house so no one else can see. Shoot him and plant a Saturday night special on him. There shouldn't be a problem. But if you do it outside you might go to jail for the night.

[thom]

As long as I have a breath in me, I will protect my family from anyone or anything. And more so my grandsons, I have no granddaughters.

[17-21-23]

That's great. It's hard to protect your family if you are in jail for not making sure it not a rubber knife. I'm just saying ID the weapon before you take a life. Today's society is different from yesterdays.

[Doc Holliday]

Just how should you 'make sure it's a rubber knife'? Wait until the freak stabs you with it?

"When a naked man is chasing a woman through an alley with a butcher's knife and a hard-on, I figure he isn't out collecting for the Red Cross" - Harry Callahan

[ex462]

police have shot several persons having a TOY gun,same as a 'rubber' knife

[Crippledtrigger]

That's great. It's hard to protect your family if you are in jail for not making sure it not a rubber knife. I'm just saying ID the weapon before you take a life. Today's society is different from yesterdays.

Insert epic face palm meme here.

You're joking right? Gotta be.

You have no duty to make sure the deadly weapon is real. It's not an assault chicken where a reasonable person may pause to think "wait it could be rubber".

Wait kiddos. Let him stab you first it could be a rubber knife.

[17-21-23]

I'm just throwing it out there. In a world where a cop puts a choke hold on someone 3 times his size and he unfortunately dies. You can throw water at cops and buckets and people think it's ok. The media is slowly brain washing the new generation into hating guns and their owners. Those same kids will be on those juries. If you are going to kill someone in this day and age all I'm saying is verify the threat is real. Not think it's real or might be real. But real. Real enough that when you lay your head down to sleep for the night it's in your own bed and the demons are not going to visit you. That's all.

[Crippledtrigger]

Your obfucating, poorly.

[QuietM4]

I'm just throwing it out there. In a world where a cop puts a choke hold on someone 3 times his size and he unfortunately dies. You can throw water at cops and buckets and people think it's ok. The media is slowly brain washing the new generation into hating guns and their owners. Those same kids will be on those juries. If you are going to kill someone in this day and age all I'm saying is verify the threat is real. Not think it's real or might be real. But real. Real enough that when you lay your head down to sleep for the night it's in your own bed and the demons are not going to visit you. That's all.

If you're truly that worried about it, you shouldn't be carrying a firearm to defend yourself. Someone comes at me with a knife (real or otherwise), in a clown costume (or anything else), they are getting shot. If someone pointed a firearm at you, are you going to wait to draw your firearm until you can visually inspect the offending firearms chamber to make sure it's loaded?

Part of being a responsible firearm owner is accepting the risk and possible legal liabilities that come along with it.