What defines the use of deadly force?

The definition of the use of deadly force is centered around the concept of causing potential death or serious bodily harm. This encompasses actions taken that have the inherent capacity to result in lethal outcomes or severe injury, thereby justifying the application of such force in specific scenarios, typically when there is an imminent threat to life or serious physical safety.

The distinction lies in understanding that deadly force is not merely a physical confrontational tactic but rather a classification of force that poses a severe risk of serious harm or death. Other potential actions, such as simply subduing an individual, do not automatically fall under this definition, as subduing could be achieved with non-lethal means. Additionally, limiting the context to firearms excludes various other methods that could also result in death or serious injury, and defining it as any physical force in combat is overly broad and lacks the specific criteria that categorize an action as deadly force. Hence, the emphasis on potential death or serious bodily harm is vital to accurately defining scenarios where deadly force may be warranted or justified.