Reply #59: Definition of Deadly Force

[USMC_Liberal]

The definition of deadly force simply put, is "the loading and firing of weapons."

At my first duty station the detachment gunnery sergeant asked me (practically the first thing he said to me), "What is deadly force?"

We had actually learned a by rote definition:

"Deadly force is the force which a person applies which he knows, or should reasonably know, creates a substantial risk of causing death or serious bodily harm."

And the Gunny said, "What are you talking about? Deadly force is the loading and firing of weapons."

We as Marines we were taught:

No warning shots are fired.

Aim center mass. No special attempt to wound vice kill will be made.

Either the target has committed an offense that liables him to deadly force or he has not. If he dies, that is his problem.

Walt