Question....About intruders and guns and shooting....and guns

[Urabus GodofTraction]

Since we live more than a half hour away from any type of 911 services, we were informed by a Vt state trooper that if you have to shoot someone, (which is justified for almost anything) make sure he BLEEDS OUT before you call 911.

The situation of your garage seems like a gray area coming. It might not fit the bill of "inhabited" or something. DEFINITELY seek legal help in your area, getting three or four sources of legal advice would be good too, don't just stop at the first guy that gives you the answer you want.

But as it has been said before, if you HAVE to shoot someone, make sure they are dead, and try not to hit them in the back.

I love Vermont's stance on RKBA: Federal laws only. Open carry, concealed carry, they're for it.

[gwoods]

In Arizona if someone is in your house you can do anything to them you want.

I remember a case in Arizona where a guy's house kept being burglarized. The theif had taken the keys to his truck so the guy stayed home from work with his truck parked in his driveway. Sure enough the neighbor kid comes up and proceeds to start getting in his truck. They guy came out and shot him. I remember him getting a slap on the wrist.

Your best bet for your state is to become a member of your local NRA chapter. I'm sure they know your state laws inside and out.

This is how we roll in Arizonahttp://www.abc15.com/news/loca...8e092

http://www.kpho.com/news/15898620/detail.html

http://www.ktar.com/index.php?nid=6&sid=769113

http://www.kpho.com/news/16506447/detail.html

[S13xCrazy]

Since we live more than a half hour away from any type of 911 services, we were informed by a Vt state trooper that if you have to shoot someone, (which is justified for almost anything) make sure he BLEEDS OUT before you call 911.

The situation of your garage seems like a gray area coming. It might not fit the bill of "inhabited" or something. DEFINITELY seek legal help in your area, getting three or four sources of legal advice would be good too, don't just stop at the first guy that gives you the answer you want.

But as it has been said before, if you HAVE to shoot someone, make sure they are dead, and try not to hit them in the back.

what you first said reminds me of a few years back when there was a theif in our old neighborhood. The police actually came to the house and told my father "if you find them in your garage taking your stuff, shoot them. Do not call us until they are dead"

Good info! Thanks!

[98s14inaz]

Don't get advice on such a subject from people like the poster above me. They're often wrong, and the laws are so varied from state to state that even if they're right for their state, they could be wrong for yours. Example: In Florida (and most states) all the calling and yelling is not required, nor is recommended (calling is, IF you have time). Do you really think someone who wants you dead will wait till you've said "drop the weapon" 3 times? No. Florida, with it's sensible self-defense laws, assumes all intruders have deadly intent. This means you have the right to defense on your property without have to warn, retreat, or tell the intruder to leave. (Though LEGAL and ETHICAL don't always match up). Your state varies, especially if your state has an "obligation to retreat" on the books. Take no more advice from the internet, and look up the statues and contact your local PD AND A LAWYER.

While you're talking to people, don't say things like "Castle Doctrine" and "kill the guy." Statements like that give ammo to the antis, and if you DO stop someone, and they find this thread, well, it'll add on to your legal bills. Use words like "right to self defense," and "intruder."

If Florida, it's only brandishing if you do it without justification of deadly force. But yes, don't pull it out without the intent to kill. That doesn't mean you have to fire. MOST of the time, simply presenting a weapon will eliminate the threat.

Not if Florida. SB-436 "establishes, in law, the presumption that a criminal who forcibly enters or intrudes into your home or occupied vehicle is there to cause death or great bodily harm, therefore a person may use any manner of force, including deadly force, against that person." So, legal every time. Ethical? Often not. Again, it's state dependent.

SB 436 gives us Floridians further protection from this. But yes, NEVER shoot to wound.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no. You're not safe till the police arrive. What if you didn't stop the intruder? What if he's got a friend? Reload, hell, do a combat reload and put in a fresh clip if you've got one. DO call 911.

Of course, like I've just said, don't listen to me, ASK A GOOD SELF-DEFENSE LAWYER. Often the LEOs don't have the right answers

Modified by charlieo at 3:15 AM 8/3/2008

First of all, I've taken the ccw classes and this is what you need to do in AZ if you have an intruder. I summarized it so I don't look like a wind bag like the post I am quoting.

Second of all, a gun is a tool used to kill. If there is an intruder you aim center mass and fire until the threat loses all desire to continue. Just not in the back, if he is running away he is retreating and you can't shoot him. If I wanted to scare the bad guy off I'd use my hockey stick or a bat. Don't want to get killed, don't break into houses.

Third, by at least attempting to say "drop the weapon" or "get out of my house" three times you show you gave them opportunity to surrender or leave. It also shows clarity of mind and reasoning. The fact that you have an active 911 call recording what happened is also going to help you legally. Even if you say it once and the guy rushes you and he gets shot you are still with in your rights and anyone suing you will not have much of a case. The advice I gave is to help you stay out of prison or civil suits. Just because what you're doing is legal doesn't mean the anti's aren't going to **** with you.

Don't assume things about people. The OP should definitely confirm what I am saying with a lawyer in his state but writing off what I am saying as false is stupid. You're in florida and I'm in AZ.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

First of all, I've taken the ccw classes and this is what you need to do in AZ if you have an intruder. I summarized it so I don't look like a wind bag like the post I am quoting.

Second of all, a gun is a tool used to kill. If there is an intruder you aim center mass and fire until the threat loses all desire to continue. Just not in the back, if he is running away he is retreating and you can't shoot him. If I wanted to scare the bad guy off I'd use my hockey stick or a bat. Don't want to get killed, don't break into houses.

Third, by at least attempting to say "drop the weapon" or "get out of my house" three times you show you gave them opportunity to surrender or leave. It also shows clarity of mind and reasoning. The fact that you have an active 911 call recording what happened is also going to help you legally. Even if you say it once and the guy rushes you and he gets shot you are still with in your rights and anyone suing you will not have much of a case. The advice I gave is to help you stay out of prison or civil suits. Just because what you're doing is legal doesn't mean the anti's aren't going to **** with you.

Don't assume things about people. The OP should definitely confirm what I am saying with a lawyer in his state but writing off what I am saying as false is stupid. You're in florida and I'm in AZ.

You'll notice I mentioned Florida 5 times. Yeah, I realized there are differences.

I just looked up the AZ law (SB 1145) and nowhere in it does it state the "need" for what you've said.

However, using a word like "required" and making inflexible statements like: "If there is an intruder you aim center mass and fire until the threat loses all desire to continue" is like when people say "Only draw your weapon to fire it." Only draw your weapon if you intend to fire it. If that's not needed, great.

Enough with the three times crap. Given time, call 911, state something like "I have a threatening intruder in the home and fear for my/my families safety." Then you can yell stop. I'd just to it once, however, as if you're busy yelling a total of 6 times YOU could get shot.

Reasonable, prudent, but most of all, adaptable advice.

Also, your last point? Are you suggesting PLANTING a weapon?

Don't be so specific in your advice, and we're on the same side of the fence. Remember, when the chips are down, all the OP might remember is you saying "3 times, 3 times."

Windbag, out!

[Jager]

Op, talk to your local PD a lawyer or 2 and your local NRA chapter, anything we tell you works for us is because the state we live in has allowed us those options. WI may not.

your asking about defending property which is NOT always allowable . VA doesnt allow you to shoot anyone unless your in imminent bodily danger. so stealing my TV or being in my yard doesn't allow me to pull the trigger. you better believe ill hold them for the cops and 911 will be on the cell, but get the right advice for YOUR area, what works in Florida doesn't fly in VA (I want the Florida castle law damnit!) and AZ is one of the more relaxed states on protecting yourself. so get relevant local advice, otherwise you may be charged with murder or another crime ruining your life.