Use of Deadly Force

“Self Defense” is a principal which people who carry weapons or learn a martial art seem to take for granted. But how much do you really know about the law which justifies the use of deadly force on another human being?

Legal justification of the use of deadly force is a very complicated and often highly technical subject. It is not as simple as “If I fear for my life or the life I am justified in using deadly force.” There are circumstances where one will be not be regarded in law as having been justified in using deadly force, even though one may have been in fear for his or her life at the moment they resorted to deadly force. Nor is the question necessarily settled by the “Castle doctrine” or one’s duty to retreat. Being wrong will be a life-changing event. Hesitation caused by uncertainty can be a life-ending event. Given the stakes, have you put sufficient time into learning the applicable law and principles?

As subject associated with firearms, edged weapons and martial arts, the use of deadly force is one of those topics which attracts attention from individuals who are simply not knowledgeable. Internet commentators, bar-stool barristers and even a lot of trainers and instructors who have no legal background hold forth with an air of great authority. But not one of them is ever in a position to be called to account for what they say when part of their audience lands in a courtroom.

To address this problem, the Pennsylvania Firearms Development Corporation (PFDC) has put together a six hour course of instruction, taught by Peter Georgiades. Mr. Georgiades is a working attorney, an experienced instructor in law, a firearms instructor and practicing martial artist. The course is designed for lay people who possess firearms or study a martial art in contemplation of possibly having to use deadly force to defend themselves or their loved ones from a potentially lethal threat.

Nocourse of instruction on specific laws and rules will be of much use in making a split-second decision during an emergency. This course is designed to do two things. First, it will address general principals which one may internalize, so as to minimize the chances of making a tragic error during an emergency. Second, it will provide reliable, detailed information which will assist in planning for an emergency.

The course will address the following topics:

All of these topics will be reviewed with attention to any changes made in the law by the new “Castle Doctrine” law, which went into effect in 2011.

Cost: The cost is $90 advance enrollment. The cost will be $110 at the door, space permitting, and assuming we have sufficient enrollment for the course to proceed. (It’s best to enroll in advance.)

Course format: The course will consist of straightforward explanation of what the governing statutes provide, how the law works, what the current rules are and how to stay out of unnecessary trouble. There will be three hours of discussion in the morning and three hours in the afternoon, with a one-hour break for lunch, and 15 minute breaks in the morning and in the afternoon. The course will run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Principles will be illustrated using actual cases and statutes (as opposed to theories, local myth or ideology). There will be substantial time for questions and discussion.

Class size: The number of participants will be limited to at least 12, and not more than 20. This will assure ample time for individual questions and interaction.

Instructor: Peter Georgiades is an attorney with 34 years of litigation experience. He is admitted to practice in Arizona, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. His practice includes advising clients with respect to various aspects of law relating to firearms. Peter has been an instructor in law at the National Law Center at the George Washington University and the Graduate School of Industrial Administration at Carnegie-Mellon University, and is also an experienced firearms instructor (NRA certified to instruct in rifle, pistol, shotgun and personal protection; State of Arizona CCW instructor certificate No. 8769268; member of the International Ass'n. of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors (IALEFI); and instructor in carbine and defensive tactics since 1997). Peter is a judoka, holding the rank of Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt), is a two-time medalist at the USA Senior National Judo Championships (2005 and 2007), and gold medalist at USJA PA state championships (2009, 2011).

Instructor: Harry Schneider is the Legislative Chairman of the Pennsylvania Sportsmen's Association (PSA). He is experienced at writing bills and analyzing legislation, and has worked tirelessly to advance the interests of firearms owners in the Pennsylvania legislature. He participated in drafting and passing several improvements to firearms laws in Pennsylvania, including recent changes in the law including the duty to retreat, civil immunity, and other topics pertaining to the justification defense (enhanced Castle Doctrine) as well as significant improvements to reciprocity between Pennsylvania and other states with respect to licenses and permits to carry and laws governing hunters and trappers. He has attended numerous ATF-PSP Firearms Law Seminars and CLE seminars sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, the Federal Bar Association and the NRA. His formal firearms training and experience stretches back 30 years .

Prerequisites: None. Because this course does not involve the handling of weapons or training in the actual application of force, no criminal history check is required, and no age limits apply.

This course qualifies for six hours of continuing education credit for NRA law enforcement instructor accreditation. Paperwork will be will be available at the course site.

This course has also been approved for six hours of substantive continuing legal education credit by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Course credit forms will be available on site.

For Details, Information and Directions:

"Having a gun and thinking you are armed is like having a piano and thinking you are a musician"
------ Col. Jeff Cooper (U.S.M.C. Ret.)

This course is sponsored by the Firearms Instruction Research & Education (FIRE) Institute,
a Penna. nonprofit corporation.
Training is provided as a public service.
All students must be 18 years or older. Proof of no criminal history is required.