LD-JanFeb2012


 * [[image:Home_Forensics_Toolbox.png link="Forensics_Toolbox"]] || [[image:Home_Debatepedia.png link="@http://wiki.idebate.org"]] || [[image:LD-Debate.png link="LD-Debate"]] ||

=Resolved: It is morally permissible for victims to use deadly force as a deliberate response to repeated domestic violence.= Note the similarity to NovDec2006 and MarchApril2009.

Central tension: self-protection vs. vigilantism Object of Evaluation: "for victims to use deadly force" Evaluative Term: morally permissible Context of Resolution: Definition of terms: Value Premise
 * Not //legally// permissible
 * "What is permissible is not always honorable." Cicero
 * //repeated// domestic violence, not an isolated incident
 * a //deliberate// response, not an instinctive act of self-defense

Possible Contentions Observation: Punishment is different from revenge. Revenge is emotionally motivated, but punishment must be held to higher standards. Courts establish high standards to ensure that punishment is directed to the right individual and proportionate to the offense.

Con: Victims cannot be trusted to mete punishment
 * **Victims are emotionally involved.** Police and prosecutors are trained to be emotionally detached. Victims are affected by fear and anger, and can use deadly force even when it is an overreaction.
 * **Victims are not necessarily effective.** Police are trained in weapons and tactics to deal with violent individuals. Victims could accidentally injure innocent bystanders, or make things worse for themselves by attempting deadly force and failing.

Con: Vigilantism undermines governmental authority
 * **Vigilantism is a self-fulfilling prophesy; a down-ward spiral into lawlessness.** Vigilantism presumes that authorities will be ineffective; without reporting, prosecuting, etc., government protection can never succeed. Those who take the law into their own hands make a more dangerous situation for future victims.
 * **Vigilantism overburdens governmental authority.** Where there could be a full-fledged investigation into domestic violence, there is now a joint investigation into domestic violence and violent retaliation. Under the terms of the resolution, this is not a matter of violence and spontaneous self-defense, but violence first, and then deliberate deadly force later.