What is the legal theory having to do with disparity of force?

Answer by  Dean (4035)

It concerns the issue of the level of force used to thwart an attacker. If someone throws a rock, defending oneself with an AK47 is "disparity of force."

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

The degree of force in response should be nearly equal to the level of threat. If someone attacks you with a 2x4, responding with a bat is an equal level of force. Threatening with a gun after being hit by a snowball is a disparity - and illegal.

Answer by  tamarawilhite (17883)

If someone threatens you, responding with equal force is self defense. Responding with far greater force, if it is at your disposal, is wrong. If someone threatens you with a gun, pulling out your own gun to shoot them is self defense. If they threaten you with a board and you shoot them, it is at least man-slaughter.