Aguila Blanca
Staff
Thanks, HiBC, for identifying your state.
Colorado statute regarding use of force and arson:
https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-1-705.html
Colorado statute regarding the use of force and rape:
https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-1-704.html
So, basically, the use of deadly force IS allowed against both arson and rape in Colorado. It's not quite as cut-and-dried as the instructor stated it, however. The actor (the shooter) might be called upon to justify why he believed that a lesser degree of physical force wasn't enough and why he believed that deadly force was necessary. But it's still based on what the shooter believed at the time so, unless the prosecution can show that such belief was not reasonable, the use of deadly force would be justified.
Colorado statute regarding use of force and arson:
https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-1-705.html
FindLaw said:A person in possession or control of any building, realty, or other premises, or a person who is licensed or privileged to be thereon, is justified in using reasonable and appropriate physical force upon another person when and to the extent that it is reasonably necessary to prevent or terminate what he reasonably believes to be the commission or attempted commission of an unlawful trespass by the other person in or upon the building, realty, or premises. However, he may use deadly force only in defense of himself or another as described in section 18-1-704 , or when he reasonably believes it necessary to prevent what he reasonably believes to be an attempt by the trespasser to commit first degree arson.
Colorado statute regarding the use of force and rape:
https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-18-criminal-code/co-rev-st-sect-18-1-704.html
(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, a person is justified in using physical force upon another person in order to defend himself or a third person from what he reasonably believes to be the use or imminent use of unlawful physical force by that other person, and he may use a degree of force which he reasonably believes to be necessary for that purpose.
(2) Deadly physical force may be used only if a person reasonably believes a lesser degree of force is inadequate and:
(a) The actor has reasonable ground to believe, and does believe, that he or another person is in imminent danger of being killed or of receiving great bodily injury; or
(b) The other person is using or reasonably appears about to use physical force against an occupant of a dwelling or business establishment while committing or attempting to commit burglary as defined in sections 18-4-202 to 18-4-204 ; or
(c) The other person is committing or reasonably appears about to commit kidnapping as defined in section 18-3-301 or 18-3-302 , robbery as defined in section 18-4-301 or 18-4-302 , sexual assault as set forth in section 18-3-402 , or in section 18-3-403 as it existed prior to July 1, 2000, or assault as defined in sections 18-3-202 and 18-3-203 .
So, basically, the use of deadly force IS allowed against both arson and rape in Colorado. It's not quite as cut-and-dried as the instructor stated it, however. The actor (the shooter) might be called upon to justify why he believed that a lesser degree of physical force wasn't enough and why he believed that deadly force was necessary. But it's still based on what the shooter believed at the time so, unless the prosecution can show that such belief was not reasonable, the use of deadly force would be justified.