if it were me and my family, i'd have done the same thing as the suv driver. i'm curious what the law states regarding a self defense incident like this? gun laws are fairly clear about how and when defensive shootings may occur, but i've never read anything regarding vehicular uses of force. i'm surprised there is no whining from the anti "stand your ground" contingent. perhaps they will bring in some prosecuters from florida to make the charges (against the suv driver) in another week or so.
I respectfully disagree. "Gun" laws do not say anything about defensive shootings. The laws that apply to defensive use of a firearm are general laws that address the use of deadly (or "lethal," in some states) force for self defense. The nature of the deadly force (firearm, knife, sword, bludgeon,
or automobile) is not mentioned in these laws. They address only the circumstances under which an individual may use deadly force to defend himself or a third party. Generally, the criterion is that the individual must have a "reasonable" fear of incurring death or serious bodily injury from an attack. In some states, before employing deadly force the individual must first try to retreat.
IMHO, this incident clearly meets the criteria, and the driver of the SUV was justified in using his vehicle as a weapon of self defense. There was certainly a disparity of force -- he was outnumbered 30:1, and each of the motorcyclists had a ready-made blunt instrument handy in the form of his helmet.
Yeah, If I had thirty angry bikers trying to bash their way into my car, I'd be in fear for my life.
