Quiz - Southern Cross Inc

2 AM Encounter

Illinois Self-Defense and Conceal Carry Scenarios

Answer the following questions to see if you know your rights in Illinois for self-defense and lethal force!

1 / 8

1. It's 2 am and you're walking home from a late shift at work..... When all of a sudden you see this person standing in your way. They aren't saying anything but are slowly moving towards you. They are roughly 20 feet away.

Do you.

a. Draw your firearm, aim, and get ready to shoot if they take another step towards you

b. Turn around and run

c. Flash your firearm and say, "You want some?"

d. Draw your firearm and tell them to get down

e. Tell them, "I have a gun!"

2 / 8

2. Its 1 pm, on a Tuesday and you’re at home. You're reading the paper and need to use the bathroom. You get up and start walking into your bedroom when you see a strange person rummaging through your closet. You do not know who they are, but they appear to be robbing you, and in fact you become certain of it when you see them stuffing their pockets with your Grandmother's jewelry. You cannot see a firearm or other weapon because their back is turned to you. Your firearm is on your hip, loaded. They do not notice you are there. You draw your firearm and aim in on them. What should you do next?

a. Call them out and ask what they are doing

b. Put the gun away because you can only use it if they have a gun

c. Shoot them in the back

d. Go lock yourself in another room and call 911

e. Fire a warning shot

Remember, Illinois state law says that

720 ILCS 5/7-2) (from Ch. 38, par. 7-2)
Sec. 7-2. Use of force in defense of dwelling.

(a) A person is justified in the use of force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to prevent or terminate such other's unlawful entry into or attack upon a dwelling. However, he is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if:

(1) The entry is made or attempted in a violent,

riotous, or tumultuous manner, and he reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent an assault upon, or offer of personal violence to, him or another then in the dwelling, or

(2) He reasonably believes that such force is

necessary to prevent the commission of a felony in the dwelling.

(b) In no case shall any act involving the use of force justified under this Section give rise to any claim or liability brought by or on behalf of any person acting within the definition of "aggressor" set forth in Section 7-4 of this Article, or the estate, spouse, or other family member of such a person, against the person or estate of the person using such justified force, unless the use of force involves willful or wanton misconduct.

(Source: P.A. 93-832, eff. 7-28-04.)

So here it is saying that the termination or prevention of a FELONY is all that is required for justified deadly force in IL. It is also however reasonable to believe that you do not know what this person's intentions are, or if there is more than just 1 inside of your home already! This is why I never recommend giving warnings when you know they are robbing you. I definitely NEVER recommend warning shots because that violates our weapons safety rules, you do NOT need to ever confirm they have a weapon if they are in your home, and lastly, do not hide yourself because that perpetuates the weak victim mentality and that is not who you are!

Awesome job! Remember... They broke into your house, who knows how many more there may be, or what their true intentions can go to. Defend yourself and your family to the greatest and most violent extent legally possible.

720 ILCS 5/7-2) (from Ch. 38, par. 7-2)
Sec. 7-2. Use of force in defense of dwelling.

(a) A person is justified in the use of force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to prevent or terminate such other's unlawful entry into or attack upon a dwelling. However, he is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if:

(1) The entry is made or attempted in a violent,

riotous, or tumultuous manner, and he reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent an assault upon, or offer of personal violence to, him or another then in the dwelling, or

(2) He reasonably believes that such force is

necessary to prevent the commission of a felony in the dwelling.

(b) In no case shall any act involving the use of force justified under this Section give rise to any claim or liability brought by or on behalf of any person acting within the definition of "aggressor" set forth in Section 7-4 of this Article, or the estate, spouse, or other family member of such a person, against the person or estate of the person using such justified force, unless the use of force involves willful or wanton misconduct.

(Source: P.A. 93-832, eff. 7-28-04.)

3 / 8

3. You are out with your husband/wife and friends drinking at a bar and a person hits on your husband/wife. You tell them to back off and punch them. They walks away and yell back at you, “don’t let me catch you outside”.

When leaving you see the offender in the parking lot waiting for you. They come walking up to you and say, “lets finish this now!”

Can you use your firearm in self-defense?

a. No

b. Yes

Oops!

There are a number of reasons why you cant. First, you’re out drinking and should not have the firearm with you. Second, he has not presented a clear danger to your life, property, or anyone else’s around you. They may want to fist fight, but this does not mean you can shoot somebody.

4 / 8

It's 2:34 am and you hear a noise outside.

You look at your security cameras and see this image- someone trying to break into your home.

The window they are attempting to enter is your living room, you are in your bedroom.

There is no one else home.

Can you use lethal self-defense against this person?

a. Yes

b. No

Remember, Illinois law says you CAN use lethal force in the intervention or prevention of a FELONY in your home, unauthorized entry in a riotous, violent, or tumultuous manner.

Awesome! Remember, do not wait for someone to get into your house before engaging them, you do not know how many there are orwhat they have for weapons. By letting them in, it could be too late!

5 / 8

5. If someone is attempting to carjack you and you can’t see a firearm, can you legally shoot them?

a. Yes

b. No

give anser of questions

Oops!

You do NOT need to verify if someone has a deadly weapon or not. If they are attempting to make unwarranted entry into your vehicle and you believe they are attempting to car jack you then you are within your rights.

6 / 8

6. You are taking a short cut down an alley you frequent. You see a girl being attacked and raped by a grown man and she’s screaming for help. Can you shoot?

a. Yes

b. No

Oops!

In defense of another person where a forcible felony is being committed, threatened, or about to be committed… You do NOT need to give the rapist a warning, you do NOT need to declare you are about to shoot… If the victim could use lethal force in their situation then you have every right to engage the attacker(s) on their behalf.

7 / 8

7. Its 1 am and you hear a noise downstairs, so you grab you shotgun and head downstairs.

While walking down your stairs you see this stranger in your home (uninvited).

They do NOT have a weapon in their hand that you can see.

Can you use lethal force against this person?

a. Yes, I don't need to confirm they have a weapon if they are in my home

b. Yes, but I need to confirm he has a weapon first

c. No, he does not have a weapon that I can see

d. No, I have a shotgun and I can't shoot people with shotguns in my house

Good try... but remember this... When it comes to people in your home, never, ever, ever give them a chance to attack you. You don't know how many there are and it is very reasonable to believe they intend to do you great harm. But IL state law also says that in order to stop a FELONY, not a FORCIBLE FELONY... This is very different criteria so always be sure, as long as the safety rules are in mind, to do what's best for you and your family and use lethal defense when someone is unlawfully within your home.

(720 ILCS 5/7-2) (from Ch. 38, par. 7-2)
Sec. 7-2. Use of force in defense of dwelling.

(a) A person is justified in the use of force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to prevent or terminate such other's unlawful entry into or attack upon a dwelling. However, he is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if:

(1) The entry is made or attempted in a violent,

riotous, or tumultuous manner, and he reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent an assault upon, or offer of personal violence to, him or another then in the dwelling, or

(2) He reasonably believes that such force is

necessary to prevent the commission of a felony in the dwelling.

(b) In no case shall any act involving the use of force justified under this Section give rise to any claim or liability brought by or on behalf of any person acting within the definition of "aggressor" set forth in Section 7-4 of this Article, or the estate, spouse, or other family member of such a person, against the person or estate of the person using such justified force, unless the use of force involves willful or wanton misconduct.

(Source: P.A. 93-832, eff. 7-28-04.)

Awesome Job! Keep in mind IL is a Castle Doctrine state, but it is caveated.

IL law says the following

(720 ILCS 5/7-2) (from Ch. 38, par. 7-2)
Sec. 7-2. Use of force in defense of dwelling.

(a) A person is justified in the use of force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to prevent or terminate such other's unlawful entry into or attack upon a dwelling. However, he is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if:

(1) The entry is made or attempted in a violent,

riotous, or tumultuous manner, and he reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent an assault upon, or offer of personal violence to, him or another then in the dwelling, or

(2) He reasonably believes that such force is

necessary to prevent the commission of a felony in the dwelling.

(b) In no case shall any act involving the use of force justified under this Section give rise to any claim or liability brought by or on behalf of any person acting within the definition of "aggressor" set forth in Section 7-4 of this Article, or the estate, spouse, or other family member of such a person, against the person or estate of the person using such justified force, unless the use of force involves willful or wanton misconduct.

(Source: P.A. 93-832, eff. 7-28-04.)

8 / 8

8. You are sitting at a stop light running errands when all of a sudden you see this take place at the car in front of you.

Based off Illinois state law, can you engage this person with lethal defense?

a. Yes, and I do not need to give a warning I can engage him immediately

b. Yes, but I must give him a warning first.

c. No, he is not pointing the gun at me.

d. Yes, but I must fire a warning shot first

Remember, you CAN use lethal force in the defense of another person in the state of IL. As long as the following criteria is met.

(720 ILCS 5/7-1) (from Ch. 38, par. 7-1)
Sec. 7-1. Use of force in defense of person.
(a) A person is justified in the use of force against another when and to the extent that he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or another against such other's imminent use of unlawful force. However, he is justified in the use of force which is intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm only if he reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or another, or the commission of a forcible felony.

You NEVER give warning shots, and I recommend that you NEVER even give warnings as long as you know the criteria above is met.

Great job!

Illinois law says the following when using lethal force in defense of another person.

Your score is

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter

Exit

Please leave a review of your opinions or requests so we can make better material.

Thanks!

Firearms Safety Quiz

Some quick questions and answers on use of Firearms Safety Quiz!

Reach out if you have questions!

Good Luck!

- Joe

J.Malone@southerncross.company

1 / 5

If a firearm is unloaded, is it ok to point at someone?

Yes

You must always treat firearms as if they are loaded, it does not matter if you just ensured it is unloaded. By not treating it as such you are developing bad habits that will lead to you accidentally hurting yourself or someone else.

2 / 5

Is it ok to store a firearm loaded in your home in an area isolated from the public and only known by yourself, out of reach of children?

Yes

Oops!

As long as you are taking visitors, teens, and children into consideration when storing your firearm, it is totally acceptable to store a firearm loaded, but always use your own best judgement.

3 / 5

When getting ready to engage a target, does it matter what is moving behind the target?

Yes

Oops!

Bullets will travel through objects, it is what they are designed to do. You must ensure the foreground and background of your confirmed target are all clear.

4 / 5

When handling an unloaded firearm, do you need to keep your finger straight, up, and off the trigger?

Yes

Oops!

Remember, your habits and fundamentals are a MUST at all times. To not do so will create bad subconscious habits and you will have an accident.

5 / 5

When shooting a firearm, what is more important, shooting fast, or shooting accurately?

Speed

Accuracy

Oops!

Speed will come with time when you have been shooting accurately for a period of time. To shoot fast does nothing except send bullets to undisclosed locations, possibly hurting or killing someone.

Your score is

LinkedIn Facebook Twitter

2 AM Encounter

Remember, Illinois state law says that

Oops!

Oops!

Oops!

Oops!

Oops!

Oops!

Oops!

Join in!

Learn and communicate with experts to help you in your confidence growth! Free additional content monthly! What types of firearms to buy, IL gun ranges that ARE FRIEDNLY! Know where to buy ammo during shortages!

Beginner Firearms Confidence Development and Training!

Quick Links

Head Office

Location

Email Us

Call Us