[RightOnTheBorder]

So...it's a felony to protect your mother from a physical assault?

Summary of Virginia Firearms Laws

Looks like Virginia is one of those s***holes that requires a "proportional response" so yes it is a felony to defend your mother with a gun if she is "only" being beaten up.

[Jeff Head]

All he has to show, IMHO, is that he feared...and she feared...that she would die.

If that can be established, it would seem to me that a proportional response to THAT, would be to use deadly force against the attacker.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Even though “beating” in a certain manner can instantly kill... and you betcha too that these aren’t rules binding on the fuzz either.

[CopperTop]

Holy crap. Where’s a big retarded dude with a lawnmower blade when ya need one? /s