If I come and stick a gun in your face and steal your money while you are traveling, do you have the right to defend yourself from the threat and shoot me?
In my state, yes. you can, if you can prove that you were in fear for your life or safety during the robbery (and I think that you can make a decent argument that the threat posed by a gun is a decent reason to fear, even if it isn’t pointed at you while I am robbing you….)
How about if I am wearing a badge and a uniform? If I pull you over and demand to search you, and find cash on you, Then take it at gunpoint and demand that you account for where you got it…..and maybe (but likely not) give it back until you sue my employer.…. Does the badge make it OK? Or is it still armed robbery?
Now, I am not advocating shooting cops. Nor anyone else for that matter.
But really, when cops shake people passing through their jurisdictions down for cash….what is the difference between them and the common criminals found in many cities? You know, the ones we call “muggers” .
What, exactly is the difference? How is this not theft? Why do I have to prove that any cash on me is not the result of illegal activity? Why is it up to me to prove my innocence rather than the cops proving my guilt? Why is it all of a sudden wrong to carry cash?
And why are the cops getting away with theft at the point of a gun?