Tennessee Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

Under Tennessee law, when is it legal to use deadly force in self-defense?

1. Only on your property

2. If you feel threatened

3. To protect yourself or others from imminent death or serious bodily harm

4. At any time, if carrying a valid Handgun Carry Permit

The correct answer is: To protect yourself or others from imminent death or serious bodily harm

The correct answer is that it is legal to use deadly force in self-defense to protect yourself or others from imminent death or serious bodily harm. Tennessee law recognizes the right to defend oneself if there is a reasonable belief that such a threat exists. This means that if an individual perceives a genuine and immediate threat to their life or the life of someone else, the law permits the use of deadly force as a means of protection. This principle is rooted in the idea of preserving life and ensuring safety during dangerous situations. It's important to understand that the threat must be imminent, meaning it is occurring or about to occur, and serious bodily harm typically involves significant injury or the risk of death. This legal framework aims to balance individual rights with the need for public safety. In contrast, while the considerations of being on your property or having a Handgun Carry Permit may play a role in the broader context of gun laws and self-defense, they do not solely define the legality of using deadly force. Simply feeling threatened is also not sufficient to justify deadly force unless it meets the criteria of imminent danger and serious harm. Therefore, the focus is on the immediacy and severity of the threat in determining the lawful use of deadly force in self-defense scenarios.