For which of the following purposes is the use of deadly force permissible?

The use of deadly force is permissible when defending against a deadly threat. This principle is founded on the legal and ethical understanding that an individual may use necessary force to protect themselves or others from imminent harm or death. Law enforcement officers, like civilians, are allowed to respond with deadly force when they reasonably believe that their life or the life of another person is in immediate danger from a violent attack.

This understanding underscores the emphasis on proportionality and necessity in response to threats; deadly force is a last resort employed when all other options to de-escalate or address the situation safely have failed or are not viable. The justification is rooted in the broader legal framework surrounding self-defense and the protection of life, which prioritizes the preservation of human life over property interests or non-lethal offenses.

In contrast, using deadly force to prevent vandalism, protect property, or even for the purpose of effecting an arrest—unless the situation includes a legitimate and immediate threat to life—would generally be considered excessive and unlawful. Each of these situations lacks the immediacy and severity of threat that justifies a deadly response.