Firearms and Use of Force
What this domain tests
Firearms and Use of Force tests deadly-force law, firearm safety, qualification standards, and the articulation that follows a shooting.
Core rules
- Constitutional standard. Graham v. Connor uses objective reasonableness and the totality of circumstances. Tennessee v. Garner permits deadly force only where the officer has probable cause to believe the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury.
- Ohio self-defense. ORC 2901.05 recognizes self-defense and, since 2021, a person lawfully in a place has no duty to retreat before using force. When self-defense evidence is presented, the prosecution must disprove it beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Safety rules. Treat every firearm as loaded; keep the muzzle in a safe direction; keep your finger off the trigger until the sights are on target; know your target and backstop.
- Qualification. Ohio officers must meet Commission firearms standards, including requalification; a failure is a certification issue, not just a training note.
Worked example
A man advances on an officer with a knife at about 15 feet, ignoring commands. The officer has cover, backup is 30 seconds away, and the man closes to 10 feet. Reasoning: a knife at close range is deadly force. The officer can articulate the threat, the failure of commands, the decreasing distance, and the lack of a safe alternative. A warning is preferred if feasible, but not required if it would increase the danger. The report should describe the man's actions, not conclusions like "I feared for my life" alone.
Traps
- Shooting at a moving vehicle without articulating the threat from the vehicle itself.
- Using "felony suspect" as a blanket justification - Garner requires threat.
- Warning shots, which create unjustified risk.
- Failing to identify a backstop.