Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association
| (a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, conduct is justifiable when it is required or authorized by any law of the following: |
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(1) The law defining the duties or functions of a public officer or the assistance to be rendered to such officer in the performance of his duties. |
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(2) The law governing the execution of legal process. |
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(3) The judgment or order of a competent court or tribunal. |
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(4) The law governing the armed services or the lawful conduct of war. |
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(5) Any other provision of law imposing a public duty. |
| (b) Exceptions.--The other sections of this chapter apply to: |
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(1) The use of force upon or toward the person of another for any of the purposes dealt with in such sections. |
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(2) The use of deadly force for any purpose, unless the use of such force is otherwise expressly authorized by law or occurs in the lawful conduct of war. |
| (c) Requisite state of mind.--The justification afforded by subsection (a) of this section applies: |
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(1) when the actor believes his conduct to be required or authorized by the judgment or direction of a competent court or tribunal or in the lawful execution of legal process, notwithstanding lack of jurisdiction of the court or defect in the legal process; and |
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(2) when the actor believes his conduct to be required or authorized to assist a public officer in the performance of his duties, notwithstanding that the officer exceeded his legal authority. |
