Which statement best describes the concept of imminence in use-of-force terms?

• A. A distant threat
• B. A past threat that has been resolved
• C. A threat that is about to occur or is happening at the moment
• D. A hypothetical risk

Answer: (C)

Imminence means the danger is immediate—either happening right now or about to happen very soon. In use-of-force terms, that immediacy is what justifies taking protective action to prevent harm. That’s why describing the threat as one that is about to occur or is occurring at the moment best captures the essence of imminence: it reflects the urgent, present danger that requires a prompt response.

A distant threat isn’t imminent because there’s time to avoid or de-escalate the situation. A past threat has already been resolved, so it doesn’t present ongoing danger. A hypothetical risk isn’t real or present enough to justify force. When a threat is imminent, the defender’s perception of danger is immediate and requires action to prevent harm, which is why that description fits best.