Yes. Self-defense remains a recognized affirmative defense even when the assault involved a dangerous weapon. The defense must show that you reasonably believed force was necessary to defend yourself or another, that the force used was proportional to the threat, and that you were not the initial aggressor. The use of a weapon in self-defense requires showing that the threat justified weapon-level force, which is a higher bar than for unarmed self-defense. Rhode Island does not have a stand-your-ground law; the law generally requires retreat when safely possible outside your home before using deadly force.
