Laws governing use of Deadly Force in PA

Firearms Instruction Research and Education

Laws governing the use of Deadly Force in Pennsylvania

March 14, 2010
9:30am to 4:30pm
Days Inn of Pittsburgh, Banksville Road, Pgh. PA. 15216

Please note: Do not use a F.I.R.E. Institute enrollment form for this course, please download a PFDC enrollment form

"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?

The truth is, the 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 of another 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.

Being wrong will almost certainly be a life-changing event. Not acting in an emergency can be a life-ending event. Given the stakes, and given that training in any martial pursuit is, in effect, an acknowledgement that one might someday be forced to "play for keeps," have you put sufficient time into learning the applicable law and principles?

Unfortunately, the use of deadly force is a subject associated with firearms, edged weapons and martial arts, and is therefore one of those subjects which attracts too much attention from individuals who wish to appear knowledgeable and who are anything but. Internet commentators, bar-stool barristers, gun-range commandoes, and even a lot of trainers and instructors who have no legal background, hold forth with an air of great authority. Not one of them, however, is never in a position to be called to account for what they say - particularly 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 a working attorney, experienced instructor in law, firearms instructor and practicing martial artist. It is designed for those who possess firearms or study a martial art in contemplation of possibly having to use their weapons and/or skills to defend themselves or their loved ones from an immediate threat of serious bodily injury or death.

While no course of instruction on specific rules and laws will be of much use in making a split-second decision during an emergency, this course is designed to do two things. First, address general principals which they can 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:

Defining "deadly force"
The history of the legal defense of justification, and how it relates to "self defense"
Statutory codification of deadly force principles
Consequences of being wrong (civil and criminal exposure)
Consequences of being right (civil and criminal exposure)
Circumstances affecting the use of deadly force:
- Protection of self
- Protection of others
- Protection of property
- Use of force to make or resist arrest
- Use of force to maintain order by those charged with the care of others
- Duty to retreat
- Confinement as deadly force
- Issues regarding the rendering of aid following the use of deadly force
How it all plays out (review of actual fact situations in previously decided Pa. cases)

Cost: The cost is $90 advance enrollment. The cost will be $100 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 six hours 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 and ideology). There will be substantial time for questions and answers.

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 33 years of litigation experience, admitted to practice in Arizona, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia. He is the Chairman of Greystone Legal Associates, P.C., a law firm in Pittsburgh. 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 nidan (2nd Degree Black Belt), and is a two-time medalist at the USA Senior National Judo Championships (2005 and 2007).

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.

Please note: Do not use a F.I.R.E. Institute enrollment form for this course, please download a PFDC enrollment form

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