Module 07 · The Critical Decision
When to Use Lethal Force
The single most consequential decision a permit holder can face, distilled into clear, legally grounded criteria under California law you can actually apply in the moment.
The single most consequential decision a permit holder can face, distilled into clear, legally grounded criteria under California law you can actually apply in the moment.
What "imminent threat of death or great bodily injury" actually means under California law.
How courts evaluate what you reasonably believed in the moment.
Decision-making drills that build the judgment this decision demands.
California law allows lethal force only when you reasonably believe you or another person face an imminent threat of death or great bodily injury, and the response is proportional to that threat.
A perceived threat is what you believed was happening in the moment; an actual threat is what a court later determines was objectively happening. California law judges your response against what a reasonable person would have believed at the time, which is why this module trains judgment, not just reaction.
Yes. We walk through real California incidents to show how courts and prosecutors have actually applied the imminent threat and proportionality standards.
No. This training is educational. California law is fact-specific and changes over time, so you should consult a licensed attorney about your particular circumstances.
This page is educational and is not legal advice. California law changes and applies to the specific facts of each situation. Consult a licensed attorney regarding your circumstances.