I’ve seen a number of videos lately that either display or encourage violent or forceful responses to behavior that – while reprehensible – was not violent or threatening. Some have been “watch this guy get taught a lesson” videos. Others have been instances of gross overreactions to insults or “ego bruises.”
When I see these “street justice” videos, they are always presented as if one side is absolutely right and the other side is absolutely wrong. Sometimes that’s the case. But, more often than not, there’s at least a little bit of wrong to go around on all sides.
To be clear, I’m not talking about people responding forcefully to criminal violence. I’m talking about people responding to rudeness or reckless idiocy with violence.
It’s risky.
It’s illegal.
And, it’s morally wrong.
The only time, outside of military combat, that you are justified in using force against another human being is in defense of yourself or an innocent third person from a violent, criminal attack (unless you have been asked to assist in an arrest or quelling of a riot by a law enforcement officer).
The only time you are justified in used deadly force against another human being is if they are presenting an immediate threat of serious bodily injury or death to you or an innocent third person.
Unless those conditions are met, the first act constitutes a criminal battery. The second one constitutes murder.
Earlier this week, I posted in response to a video that looked like an ambush or carjacking that – if placed in an identical situation – I would draw my firearm to protect myself and my family. But it’s important to note that I did NOT say I would shoot the aggressors. Just that I would take appropriate, legal action to signal my unwillingness to be a victim and my ability to effectively protect myself. Some people, who don’t know me very well, have read comments like that one and concluded that I’m a violent person.
It is true that I’ve studied marital arts for decades, am a passionate Second Amendment and concealed carry advocate, am a retired law enforcement officer, and a military veteran. I’ve gone toe-to-toe with some nasty criminals and won (most of the time). And I will not hesitate to defend another person, my family, or myself from a criminal attack.
But I am not a violent person. I have said it for … well … ever, and I stand by this claim now: I will talk to someone for 30 minutes to avoid fighting them for 30 seconds. Anyone who worked with me in law enforcement will tell you … it IS possible to BORE someone who wants to fight into surrendering. They’ve watched me do it!
But what I’m noticing is a gross coarsening of viral content, like these “street justice” videos. Many people seem not to be asking “Do I have to?” before resorting to force. Instead, they’re asking, “Can I get away with it?” And the “interweb” seems to be cheering them on.
Maybe it’s frustration with the direction our country seems to be going. Maybe it’s frustration with the molasses-like speed of our criminal justice system. Maybe the moral decay in our society has even gotten a foothold with some of the “good guys.” Figuring out WHY people seem so quick to encourage or commit violence is WAY above my pay grade!
But I do know this: Even in cases where violence is LEGALLY justified, if you’re a Christian like me, I believe you should hold yourself to a higher, moral standard: Is a violent response UNAVOIDABLE?
If you’ve ever had to deal with a deadly force situation, you know that it produces a level of stress you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy. And, if you’ve ever had to pull the trigger in one of those situations, you know that you will spend the rest of your life asking yourself if there could have been another way.
Our society seems to be at Def-Con 4 right now. Or, in non-military terms, we seem to have a very short fuse with a growing number of people trying to light it.
So, I guess what I’m asking is this: Can we just take the intensity level down a notch or two? Please?