Originally Posted by MSD

I would not consider shooting someone who only had a blunt object, especially in such close quarters, unless I were sure it was the victim's only chance. With a knife or gun, I would clearly have the legal right to use lethal force to defend someone without trying anything else first (and would be a lot less inclined to try to tackle someone,) but I'd be a lot more willing to try nonlethal force on a guy with a hammer even if I would be within my legal rights to shoot.