What encompasses the deadly force rule for protecting nuclear resources?

• A. Non-lethal measures only.
• B. Use deadly force only if there is imminent threat to life.
• C. All possible actions including deadly force to stop unauthorized entry/seizure; SF not deterred by bystanders.
• D. Deadly force is prohibited in all cases.

Answer: (C)

Protecting nuclear resources relies on a force continuum that can escalate to deadly force when necessary to stop unauthorized entry or seizure. The priority is to prevent theft, sabotage, or compromise of critical assets, and that may require using all appropriate capabilities, including deadly force, to interdict the threat before it materializes. The idea that security forces are not deterred by bystanders reflects the reality that protecting the facility takes precedence over crowd dynamics; responders must act to neutralize the threat to safeguard the resource and people. Non-lethal measures alone would be insufficient against determined intruders, and restricting deadly force only to imminent threats to life would miss scenarios where a hostile act is clearly imminent against the facility or assets. Declaring deadly force prohibited in all cases would be incompatible with the protective mission of high-value resources.