Šaunamojo ginklo panaudojimas sulaikant pažeidimą darančius asmenis ar transporto priemones: šauti ar ne?

The article focuses on the legal standards and relevant case law on the use of firearm in the apprehension of people or motor vehicles. The author pays special attention to the determination of both actual and legal grounds for the use of firearm in the apprehension of people or motor vehicles with the aim to interrupt an ongoing violation of law. The article also analyses practice of the cassation court in the determination of legitimacy of the damage done when a police officer uses firearm to stop a motor vehicle, and it distinguishes circumstances the court deems relevant for the assessment of such situations. In the use of firearms, criteria of lawfulness and reasonableness become of the key importance. The fact that a person is driving drunk and refuses to follow a policeman's instruction to stop does not automatically mean the necessity to use firearm to stop the vehicle even though the refusal to use firearm leads towards failure to apprehend the offender.