Self-Defense and Excessive Force: New York and California

The caliber of a firearm can play a significant role in determining whether a self-defense case is justified. Courts, prosecutors, and juries often consider the lethality of the weapon used when evaluating whether the level of force applied was reasonable or excessive in relation to the threat faced by the defendant. Firearms with larger calibers, such as .45 ACP, .357 Magnum, or .44 Magnum, are widely recognized as more powerful and lethal, delivering greater stopping power and more extensive tissue damage. Because of this, the use of such calibers in a self-defense situation may raise additional legal scrutiny. Prosecutors could argue...

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