
THE LAW GOVERNING THE USE OF DEADLY FORCE IN PENNSYLVANIA
1 DAY COURSE
If you think it’s as simple as “I was in fear for my life,” then you do not know what’s involved. Legal justification for the use of deadly force is a very complicated, technical and often confusing subject. Being in fear for one’s life or the life of another is an important aspect of the defense of justification (“self-defense”), but it is far from the whole story. Being wrong can ruin your life and the lives of your family members.
There are many considerations, starting with how one found himself in a position where he felt compelled to use deadly force in the first place. Circumstances might change between the time a problem first arose and the time it became apparent deadly force was warranted, and one might disqualify himself from asserting the defense even before things get serious. One is not likely to be aware of even half of the circumstances surrounding a sudden emergency, and must be ready to make sound decisions based upon incomplete information. There are also many practical considerations regarding how one might best equip himself, train, and comport himself after a lethal encounter. There are also legal issues pertaining to the use of deadly force on animals.
The Pennsylvania Firearms Development Corporation (PFDC) is presenting a six-hour course of instruction, written by a practicing attorney, a firearms instructor and a martial artist. The course is designed for lay people who possess weapons (not limited to firearms), or study a martial art, in contemplation of possibly having to use deadly force to defend against a potentially lethal threat. The course will cover how to comply with the law before, during and after an encounter involving the application of deadly force (whether a death results or not). The focus will be upon statutes, how they are likely to be interpreted, actual case law, and practical advice on how to conduct oneself to stay out of trouble.
Specific topics addressed will include:
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Distinguishing “reasonable force” and “deadly force”
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The history of the legal defense of justification, and how it relates to “self-defense.”
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Statutory codification of deadly force principles in Pennsylvania.
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The “Castle Doctrine,” and how the 2011 changes in the law are working out.
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Consequences of being wrong (civil and criminal exposure).
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Consequences of being right (proving your case and avoid “talking your way into jail”).
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Circumstances affecting the lawfulness of a use of deadly force:
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Protection of self Protection of others
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Protection of property
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Provocation, escalation and your responsibility for a confrontation
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Use of force to make or resist an arrest
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Use of force to maintain order by those charged with care of others
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The duty to retreat
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Confinement as “deadly force”
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Duty to render aid following the use of deadly force
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Your obligations in dealing with the police following an incident
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“Prohibited” weapons and your liability for possessing them
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Using deadly force against animals (excluding hunting and the Game Code)
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CostThe Cost is $475 (which includes $75 in range fees). Payment in full is required upon enrollment. Fees become non-refundable 30 days before the course date. If the course cancels for any reason, you will get a full refund.
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Course FormatLectures (approximately 5 hrs.), and live-fire exercises (approximately 18 hrs). There will be objective skills tests throughout the course.
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InstructorInstructors: TThe Rangemaster is Peter Georgiades. Peter has 25+ years’ experience teaching firearms and defensive tactics. He has been certified to instruct by the NRA (rifle, pistol, shotgun, and personal protection), the State of Arizona (issued CCW Instructor Cert. No. 8769268), and by OSG as a contact distance defense instructor. Peter’s training as an instructor (as distinct from firearms training) includes the Gunsite Law Enforcement Carbine Instructor Cert. Course, Marksman's Enterprise 3-day instructor courses (carbine and pistol), and the LLC "Contact Weapons Defense Instructor" program. His most important training, however, has been working hundreds of hours directly under experienced, professional instructors. Other experienced range officers will assist.
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Class SizeIn order to maintain a close instructor-to-student ratio, enrollment in this course is limited to a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 participants. If there are not six people enrolled 30 days before the course date, the course will be cancelled and all tuition refunded to those who have enrolled.
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PrerequisitesThere are no training prerequsites, as this is a first-level course. It is, however, expected students will have a basic familiarity with rifles. All participants must be 18 years of age or older. Proof of no criminal history is required. Holding a current Pennsylvania License to Carry Concealed or in a Motor Vehicle, or a license to practice a regulated profession which requires one not have any criminal history (such as a license to practice law or medicine, or a nursing license) will suffice as proof of no criminal history. If those are not available, you can get a certificate of no criminal history from your local police department or Sheriff (the cost is under $20). The lead instructor is sole and the final arbiter of whether the credentialing prerequisite has been satisfied.
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Physical RequirementsBecause this course is designed to assist YOU to plan and make decisions using the resources YOU actually have, and not for tactical ninjas. Therefore, we will work with you in whatever condition you are in. The elderly or one with a physical disability may not be able to assume one or more of the shooting positions we cover, or perform one or more of the exercises. That’s okay. Just tell the Rangemaster about any particular disabilities you may have. If you cannot do it one way, we will find another way. (There is always another way.) We expect you to refrain from attempting any exercise that is beyond your physical capability.
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Equipment RequirementsThere is certain equipment which is REQUIRED in this course. One may not proceed without the following: · Ear protection and Eye protection. · Cap or hat with baseball-style bill. This is to prevent ejected brass from your or another shooter's rifle from falling between your eyewear and your eye, burning you. It is important gear. · Firearm, clean and zeroed. We do zero during the course, but zeroing before class saves time. · At least two magazines. We prefer you have three, in case one malfunctions. Either 20-round magazines or 30-round magazines will work fine in the course. Extended magazines or drum magazines are impractical. · Knee and elbow pads. The inexpensive kind worn by skateboarders, or pads worn by carpenters and carpet layers, are sufficient. · Magazine holster or pouch which is worn on the support side (“weak hand” side) of your belt. BDU pockets and M-16 ammo pouches will get you through, but will slow you down. · 700 Rounds of "Ball" Ammunition. Almost all shooting will be inside 50 yards, so there is no need for “match grade” ammunition, and its use would be a waste of money. By the same token, your investment of time and money in this course does justify the use of reasonably consistent factory ammunition. Different brands and loads of ammunition will significantly affect the “zero” of AR-15’s, so we recommend using one brand of ammunition if possible. For close in drills, any ammunition that functions the rifle will work. No incendiary, tracer or armor-piercing ammunition is allowed. · A carry strap ("sling"). We run a “hot” range, and rifles must be slung unless they are racked, grounded, or in the shooter's hands on line. Any strap or sling which allows the rifle to be carried muzzle up or muzzle down is fine. No slings which hold the muzzle in a horizontal position while being carried are permitted. "SIngle point" slings are okay, SO LONG AS you do not cover your feet with your muzzle. · A ground cloth, shooting mat or other cover (such as an old blanket), to cover the ground dring exercises during which you will be periodically sitting or lying prone. · Sight-adjustment tool for iron sights on your particular rifle. (These are available at gun shows or mail order for between $7 and $25, depending upon the type.) There is other equipment that is not required, but which we believe will enhance your experience of the course. We therefore recommend you bring the following: · Optic or sight. Optics are optional - iron sights are fine. If you do use an optic, it should be of a low-power type (e.g., red-dot, or less than 4 X magnification). Higher power scopes will not work well. · Soft drinks or water. There is no water on the range itself, and the Club house is too far to run back and forth. No alcohol is to be consumed within eight hours of the start of any course session or during the course. · Lunch. Bag lunches are fine. This particular Club also sells lunches and soft-drinks in the Clubhose, at reasonable prices. · Back-up rifle or complete bolt assembly. Having a second rifle available is a good idea, if you own or can borrow one. Firearms do break, and we cannot stop the course to make repairs. If you do not have a second rifle, a complete bolt assembly will enable you to swap bolts in the AR-style rifles, as a 60 second repair to most malfunctions. · Something with which to take notes; binoculars; gloves; camera; sunscreen; folding chair.
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CredentialsCredentials: Proof that you are 18 or older and have no criminal history is required. A current Pennsylvania License to Carry Concealed or in a Motor Vehicle is sufficient proof of no criminal history. A a license to practice a regulated profession which requires one not have any criminal history (such as a license to practice law or medicine, or a nursing license) will also suffice, as will law enforcement officer credentials. If those are not available, you can get a certificate of no criminal history from your local police department or your County Sheriff (the cost is under $20). The Rangemaster is the final arbiter of whether the credentialing prerequisite has been satisfied.
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CertificateCertificate: A certificate of completion is awarded to all who complete the course successfully. Because this course satisfies the continuing education requirement for NRA law enforcement instructor certification, if you are in that program and need the credits, let us know and we will issue you a letter verifying your participation.
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Next Session and Course Location:THIS COURSE HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED. The next session of this course will be on JuLY 25, 25 and 27, 2025 (Friday through Sunday). The location will be the Greater Pittsburgh Gun CLub, 920 King Road, Bulger, PA 16109. This is located 25 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. Thier web site is www.shootgpgc.com. Affordable motels are located within 15 minutes of the Club.
This course is sponsored as a public service by the Firearms Instruction Research & Education (FIRE) Institute, a Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation.

“HAVING A GUN AND THINKING YOU ARE ARMED IS LIKE BUYING A PIANO AND THINKING YOU ARE A MUSICIAN”
Col. Jeff Cooper (U.S.M.C. Ret.)