(a) A person may, subject to the limitations of paragraph (b) of this section, use physical force upon another person when and to the extent that he reasonably believes it necessary to prevent what he reasonably believes to be the commission or attempted commission by such person of stealing, property damage or tampering in any degree.

    (b) A person may not use deadly force under circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this section unless the use of deadly force is authorized under state or federal law.

    (c) The justification afforded by this section extends to the use of physical restraint as protective force provided that the actor takes all reasonable measures to terminate the restraint as soon as it is reasonable to do so.

    (d) The defendant shall have the burden of injecting the issue of justification under this section.

(Code 1964, § 7.660)

     State law reference(s)--Similar provisions, RSMo. § 563.041.