One convenient way to consider what constitutes a reasonable use of force in a specific situation is to refer to the “Use of Force Continuum” described in the United States Concealed Carry Association’s manual titled “Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals”. That description starts with the following definitions:

Reasonable Force Definition:

Although laws vary, most states will define “reasonable force” as the minimum level of force required to end a threat, without going beyond that level. Said another way, reasonable force can be thought of as a level of force that does not exceed the threat. For example, if a threat to you included the possibility that you’d be bruised or receive a bloody nose, it wouldn’t be considered “reasonable” for you to respond with a level of force that could break bones or permanently disfigure your attacker.

On the Use of Force Continuum below, you’ll notice that we’ve extended the “Reasonable Force” bar all the way to the right, overlapping with the “Deadly Force” bar. That’s because regardless of what level of force you use to stop a threat (up to and including using deadly force), you’ll need to prove that the force you used was “reasonable for the circumstances.”

Deadly Force Definition:

Each state’s laws also define when it is permissible to use what is generally referred to as “deadly force,” “lethal force,” or “the justifiable taking of a life.” To simplify this topic, we’ll refer to this level of force as “deadly force.” While specific state laws vary, a common standard for the use of deadly force exists, which is:

Deadly force may only be used when there is an immediate, and unavoidable danger of death or great/grave bodily harm to an innocent person, where no other option exists other than the use of deadly force.

As simple as that statement may sound, each state will provide further legal definitions or interpretations for each component of that statement, including what it means to be “innocent,” what “immediate” means, and what “great” (or “grave”) bodily harm means. After any use of deadly force, the prosecutor and/or jury will get a chance to determine whether or not they agree with your interpretation of those definitions, and of course, they’ll get to conduct their thought experiment over the course of hours or days, and in the relative safety of a courtroom, while you’ll need to make your decision in seconds, while under attack.

Four General Rules to Consider Prior to Using Deadly Force:

1. Reasonably believe someone is in immediate fear of death or great/grave bodily harm for yourself or another person.
2. You must be an innocent party.
3. No lesser force is sufficient or available to stop the threat.
4. There must be no reasonable means of retreat or escape.

Comparison to Indiana’s Legal System Definition

Under Indiana’s legal system, in general there are three (3) elements required in order to establish the right and/usage of self-defense:

1. that the individual was in a place where the individual had a right to be;
2. the individual did not provoke, instigate, or participate willingly in the violence; and
3. the individual had a reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm.” Brown v. State, 738 N.E.2d 271 (Ind. 2000).

Additionally, it has been held under Indiana law that right to self-defense “arises only when the necessity begins, and equally ends with the necessity; and never must the necessity be greater than when the force employed defensively is deadly.” Whipple v. State, 523 N.E.2d 1363 (Ind. 1988).

When determining whether or not there was a necessity in the specific instance, a dual inquiry of whether a “defendant perceived a necessity to act as he did to defend himself from an imminent threat, and whether such perceptions were objectively reasonable.” Whipple v. State, 523 N.E.2d 1363 (Ind. 1988).

This notion of necessity is established by both a subjective and objective rationale for the individual to fulfill the standard necessary for a claim of self-defense. Further, it has been held by the Indiana court system that there must be a showing of imminent or impending danger. The individual who is claiming self-defense must provide “proof that danger is sufficiently imminent or impending to excuse the use of deadly force requires evidence that a defendant, based upon prior experience or abuses, reasonably perceives imminent or impending danger closer in time to the use of deadly force.” Whipple v. State, 523 N.E.2d 1363 (Ind. 1988).

Thus in sum under Indiana law one must prove the following in order to have a valid claim of self-defense:

1. The individual was in a place where the said individual had a right to be;
2. The individual did not provoke, instigate, or participate willingly in the violence;
3. The individual had a reasonable fear of death or great bodily harm for himself or others;
4. The individual had enough facts/evidence to prove that necessity was prevalent under the circumstances; and
5. The individual had proof that a danger was sufficiently imminent or impending to warrant the use of force or even deadly force under the circumstances.

As mentioned above this is an elements test meaning that each element must be proven to allow a valid claim of self-defense to arise.

The Impact of the Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground Statutes in Indiana “Use of Force” Situations

The legal notion of self-defense in Indiana over the years has developed and/or expanded to include the application of Stand Your Ground Statutes/Castle Doctrine. In sum, Indiana Code 35-41-3-2 states that, “a person is justified in using reasonable force, including deadly force, against another person and does not have a duty to retreat…if the person reasonably believes that the force is necessary to prevent or terminate the other person’s unlawful entry of or attack on the person’s dwelling, curtilage, or occupied motor vehicle.”

The key aspect of the above-mentioned Indiana Code is that if an individual who is attacked in either their legally classified dwelling, curtilage, or occupied motor vehicle they are under no legal duty to retreat. Rather they can use any justifiable force, even deadly, to prevent or terminate the attacker’s unlawful entry or further aggressions.

The “Use of Force Continuum” Illustration below can be used to visually determine where a situation falls with regard to selfdefense options and what the potential consequences might be.

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Michael Nellinger

CFO | Attorney-at-Law | USCCA Certified Firearms Instructor at Top Shot Firearms Simulator, Inc.

Michael A. Nellinger – USCCA Certified Instructor
Firearms Training Background:
 Indiana and Federal Gun Law Training and 2nd Amendment Attorney
 United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) Certified Instructor
 USCCA Elite Member since 2013
 NRA Patriot Life Endowment Member
 Four-Day Defensive Handgun at Front Sight Firearms Training Institute
 NRA Basic Pistol (2)
 NRA Personal Protection
 NRA Defensive Rifle
 NRA Defensive Shotgun
 Ammunition Reloading – Beginner & Advanced
 CCW Permits for Indiana (Lifetime), Florida, and Utah
 FBI Citizens Academy Alumnus
 Former Federal Firearms License Holder
 Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Alumnus
 Indianapolis Department of Public Safety Citizens Academy Alumnus
 Indy CERT Alumni Association Treasurer 2015 through 2016
 Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) member since 2014
 Amateur Extra Class Amateur Radio License (KC9YBH)
Educational background:
 B.S. in Business and Accounting at Indiana University
 J.D. in Law at Indiana University Indianapolis

 MBA from Kelly School of Business at Indiana University Bloomington
Mr. Nellinger resides in Indianapolis, Indiana. His hobbies are golf, fishing, spectator
sports, amateur radio and vacation travel with his wife Jan. He retired from Rolls-Royce
Corporation in April 2013 after 40 years of service. He is also an active volunteer with
Indy Community Emergency Response Team, Marion County Amateur Radio
Emergency Service, and the Salvation Army. Mr. Nellinger is 70 years old.

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