Massachusetts Gun Laws & Firearms Safety Practice Exam

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

1. When there is a reasonable belief of imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm

2. Against someone breaking into your vehicle

3. When someone is trespassing on your property

4. For protection of personal property

The correct answer is: When there is a reasonable belief of imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm

The use of deadly force in self-defense under Massachusetts law is justified when a person has a reasonable belief that they are in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm. This means that the threat must be immediate and not based on a hypothetical or past incident. The law recognizes the right to protect oneself in situations where there is a clear and present danger to one’s life or the potential for significant physical injury. While there may be specific circumstances under which someone could use force in situations involving property or trespass, those situations typically do not meet the criteria for legal justification of deadly force. The emphasis is placed on the necessity of meeting the imminent threat standard for self-defense, which is why the first option is the correct answer.