The right to life

[jmg257]

45. But you likely would not be charged for USING it if you were justified

since defense of self or/and others gives a defense of privilege to justify use of a weapon.

Doesn't seem to help with charges stemming from why you had the illegal weapon, how you got it, or possibly where you used it (i.e. school, etc. that made possession illegal).

Interesting Article:

http://www.ammoland.com/2014/03/can-use-of-illegally-carried-gun-harm-claim-of-self-defense/#axzz40Y3qUTaW

"Classic Self-Defense: Illegal Weapon Should Not Matter
From a classical self-defense perspective, whether the weapon used in self-defense is lawfully possessed doesn’t really matter. The five core elements of self-defense – innocence, imminence, proportionality, avoidance, and reasonableness – don’t make any reference whatever to the legality or illegality of one’s defensive weapon.

Entire Claim of Self-Defense Can Hinge on Defendant’s Credibility
Nevertheless, the use of an unlawfully carried weapon in self-defense -indeed, the mere unlawful possession of the weapon can have profoundly negative effects on your self-defense claim under certain circumstances."