Will County Gazette

Will County Associate Judge Ben Braun, a candidate for Will County Circuit Court, last night addressed an audience of 65 local residents at a forum entitled, "Understanding Your Right to Self Defense in Illinois — A Judicial Perspective." 

The event, held at Prairie Bluff Golf Club in Lockport, IL, was hosted by the Will County Republican Party and the Lockport Republicans.

"It's important that citizens understand what the terms deadly force, reasonable belief, necessary, imminent, and great bodily harm actually mean under the law," said Braun. "Having your day in court is expensive. Knowing the law in advance of unholstering your weapon can save you not just dollars, it can save you stress, anxiety, your life, or someone else's."

Braun addressed a number of topics, including how juries are instructed in self defense cases; what circumstances must be present before a person may draw a weapon; the circumstances that must be present before a firearm can be pointed; the circumstances that must be present before deadly force can be used; legal limitations on the use of deadly force; and, some of the myths of self defense and why they aren't true.

"The circumstances in which a person can lawfully draw a firearm differ from those in which a person can point a firearm," added Braun. "And a person may shoot their firearm only when justified by the law."

He added, "Generally speaking, deadly force may only be used when you have a reasonable belief that it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to yourself or another."

Braun has served as an associate judge for 11 years and spent 19 years practicing law in Will County. Last month, he announced his candidacy to fill the position that opened when Will County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Rozak retired earier this year.