Would you shoot a burglar?

It's 2AM in the morning. You are at home with your spouse and 2 kids. You hear the window break. You grab your 12 Gauge Shotgun and investiage. Upon exiting your room you see a teen-aged male (20 or so years old) that's inside your house. He does not have anything in his hand.

Would you shoot him immediately without giving a warning?

How would you react if he had a knife in his hand? Would you give him a warning?

How would you react if he had a gun in his hand?

Would you give chase if he ran off on foot?

napabulldogdotcom

Anyone that comes into my home unwarranted will most likely be shot on site.

If he ran, I would make sure that he is stopped so that he does not continue his terroristic behavior.

Kinzer

Just because he doesn't have a weapon in his hand does not mean he doesn't have a weapon at all. Luckily I live in Florida and here we have the "Castle" Law. Basically, if someone is in your house and they're not supposed to be, you have every right to use lethal force based on that fact alone. So yes, I would shoot him immediately. I'm not going to put my life at anymore risk than it already would be at. If he ran out of my house, I would not give chase or try and shoot him, that actually is illegal. And I do think personally that protection of ones property is a valid reason to use lethal force.

Tired Trucker

I don't have a gun. If I did, I'd shoot him. But I don't so I'd punch him in the face.

michman

"shoot him immediately"

After he was identified a non family member, he would be on the floor bleeding to death. No warning.

Knife = shoot him
No knife = shoot him
gun = take cover behind a wall, don't panic, squeeze trigger...shoot him.

Run = not with a chest full of Winchester Ranger hollow points.

Ps: as CPT said the magic words are "I feared for my life" Repeat it often to the responding officer.

callison7

I would **** my 12 guage. The sound alone should scare him off. But i wouldnt hesitate to shoot him if i was even remotely threatened.

scruffycat

Nah. I'm a hesitater. I tend to assess the situation before taking action. This has worked FOR me in most emergency situations and AGAINST me in some work situations (in that I waited too long to take an action). Death is pretty permanant; I just don't think I can make a snap judgment that would end someone's life.

Fortunately, I live alone (with five fat cats and 2 dogs), so I'd be able to deal with things a little more easily, being that it's only me I'm looking out for. I do become a little more aggressively minded when I am in charge of nieces, nephews, or other children... even so, if I had a gun (and knew how to use it) I'd more than likely shoot at a foot, rather than shoot to kill.

What I keep handy is my little Net10 cell phone. That way, I can call 911 in the situation you describe.

If he is armed he dies.If not he better do exactly what I tell him to and he might live til the police get there.

Cptainamer

First rule of armed defense you cannot use lethal force unless you feel your life or the life of another is in jeopardy. Protection of property is not justification in most jurisdictions for using lethal force.

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