What to take to bed with you

[offshorebear]

We have castle doctrine. If you BREAK IN, I can respond with lethal force.

I move around a lot, so depending on where I'm staying it will either be an AR15 with 5.56 Hornady TAP or a 1911 with 45 Hydrashoks.

 

[MikesToy]

If i see someone whom i don't know and is not invited in, i'll do what necessary force it takes (gun, dog, whip, bare hands, or simply yelling, etc.) to bring that person down. That's simply trespassing.

 

[JBgotM]

All this talk about dogs and aggression.... I have trained my dog to love everyone. She will only lick you and try to get attention. She's a boxer with what seems to be a bit of some bully mix.

 

[VNT]

There's the problem. It has some of the worst gun laws in the country. When I went through the concealed weapons course in FL, they showed us the laws as it relates to usage, and it was nothing like what you described.

At least they can have weapons. Here in the fine state of imprisoned governors you just can't cc, no castle doctrine. But when shitheads get caught with weapons they walk away with probation.

 

[scottp999]

No. It's not as long you don't injure someone, it's if it appears that the intruders intent is to injure someone. For example, If you see a 14 year old in your garage stealing your bike, you cannot even point a gun at him. If someone is doing what you describe, then I suppose you can open fire on him. But SWAT would be there in 2 minutes so I personally would take it easy and avoid being put on trial. Unless it appears he's a threat. Once again, someone messing around in the garage is not a threat.

Also, if the situation you described happens, you really need to learn to lock your doors.

You should read some armed citizen stories across many states over decades. They are very interesting reading and are exact copies of the stories run in local papers. The articles go back to 1958 and you can select a state and hit search if you just want to look at VA. Bottom of this page:
NRA-ILA ::

Here is one from VA that seems to put a correct spin on justifiable homicide in that state. Notice no weapon on the intruder:

The Roanoke Times, Roanoke, Va. 04/12/09
State: VA
American Rifleman Issue: 4/15/2009
Around 10:40 p.m. a man approached a home in Troutville, Va. and began pounding on the home and yelling. The homeowner rushed his family to a locked bedroom, called 911 and retrieved his shotgun. The intruder used a piece of patio furniture to break a glass door and gain access to the house. When the homeowner saw the intruder inside, he fired at him, striking him twice, ending the incident. Police arrived soon after the shots were fired and the intruder was taken to a local hospital where he died. Boutetourt County Commonwealth Attorney Joel Branscom noted that the incident “appears to be justifiable homicide…When you have someone entering a home in the night and in a threatening manner, it is the kind of thing that rises to the level of justifiable.” Stacy Thompson, the homeowner’s neighbor, was proud of his actions, stating, “When I heard someone tried to break in, I was just grateful he had a gun to protect his family…There's a reason the Second Amendment exists. We support gun rights and we would have done the same thing.”

 

[MikesToy]

I wish the gov't will kill the shitheads and advertise on tv. That will be 1 shithead out of the street and 1 shithead to teach the rest of shitheads a lesson not to be a shithead. eace:

 

[swisscheeze29]

You should read some armed citizen stories across many states over decades. They are very interesting reading and are exact copies of the stories run in local papers. The articles go back to 1958 and you can select a state and hit search if you just want to look at VA. Bottom of this page:
NRA-ILA ::

Here is one from VA that seems to put a correct spin on justifiable homicide in that state. Notice no weapon on the intruder:

The Roanoke Times, Roanoke, Va. 04/12/09
State: VA
American Rifleman Issue: 4/15/2009
Around 10:40 p.m. a man approached a home in Troutville, Va. and began pounding on the home and yelling. The homeowner rushed his family to a locked bedroom, called 911 and retrieved his shotgun. The intruder used a piece of patio furniture to break a glass door and gain access to the house. When the homeowner saw the intruder inside, he fired at him, striking him twice, ending the incident. Police arrived soon after the shots were fired and the intruder was taken to a local hospital where he died. Boutetourt County Commonwealth Attorney Joel Branscom noted that the incident “appears to be justifiable homicide…When you have someone entering a home in the night and in a threatening manner, it is the kind of thing that rises to the level of justifiable.” Stacy Thompson, the homeowner’s neighbor, was proud of his actions, stating, “When I heard someone tried to break in, I was just grateful he had a gun to protect his family…There's a reason the Second Amendment exists. We support gun rights and we would have done the same thing.”

That's southern Virginia. That's pretty much an entirely different state. Actually there was talk about breaking it into 2 states but it was decided that Southern Virginia needs the North's money. Point is, Southern Virginia is more like Texas, Northern Virginia if you do anything slightly wrong you are crucified upside down. But thank you for referencing that site, I will take a look.

 

[kylebacc]

Here in FL if you step one toe on my property (lawn, car, etc.) I can kill you. No questions asked. Even if you are not armed, I can say you were bigger than me (which most people probably are haha) and I was fearing for my life. So unless you are a friend, or are impervious to 7.62x51 rounds (and a fierce 10lb Maltese-Pomeranian ).... don't come up on me unannounced :ak472:

 

[swisscheeze29]

Here in FL if you step one toe on my property (lawn, car, etc.) I can kill you. No questions asked. Even if you are not armed, I can say you were bigger than me (which most people probably are haha) and I was fearing for my life. So unless you are a friend, or are impervious to 7.62x51 rounds (and a fierce 10lb Maltese-Pomeranian ).... don't come up on me unannounced :ak472:

Does that go for UPS drivers?
Political Campaign volunteers?
Girls Scouts selling cookies?
Boy Scouts selling popcorn?
High Schoolers selling ad books for fundraisers?

I'm sorry but I'm not a fan of that law. If you can get away with killing any of the above, something is wrong.

 

[swisscheeze29]

Here in FL if you step one toe on my property (lawn, car, etc.) I can kill you. No questions asked. Even if you are not armed, I can say you were bigger than me (which most people probably are haha) and I was fearing for my life. So unless you are a friend, or are impervious to 7.62x51 rounds (and a fierce 10lb Maltese-Pomeranian ).... don't come up on me unannounced :ak472:

Does that go for UPS drivers?
Political Campaign volunteers?
Girls Scouts selling cookies?
Boy Scouts selling popcorn?
High Schoolers selling ad books for fundraisers?

I'm sorry but I'm not a fan of that law. If you can get away with killing any of the above, something is wrong. I'm assuming the law is that you HAVE to be scared, not just " If you step a toe on my property, I can kill you. No Questions asked." So you would really need some kind of sketchy and scary guy on your property.

 

[offshorebear]

Here in FL if you step one toe on my property (lawn, car, etc.) I can kill you. No questions asked. Even if you are not armed, I can say you were bigger than me (which most people probably are haha) and I was fearing for my life. So unless you are a friend, or are impervious to 7.62x51 rounds (and a fierce 10lb Maltese-Pomeranian ).... don't come up on me unannounced :ak472:

I would research your castle doctrine law more if I were you. From the way I read it you cannot just shoot someone for trespassing. You CAN shoot if they BREAK into your home.

"The Florida "Castle Doctrine" law basically does three things:

One: It 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.

Two: It removes the "duty to retreat" if you are attacked in any place you have a right to be. You no longer have to turn your back on a criminal and try to run when attacked. Instead, you may stand your ground and fight back, meeting force with force, including deadly force, if you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to yourself or others. [This is an American right repeatedly recognized in Supreme Court gun cases.]

Three: It provides that persons using force authorized by law shall not be prosecuted for using such force.
"

 

[GMZ]

Damn, what's with all the guns? In most states, you can't even point a gun at someone trying to steal stuff in your garage. Even if you caught him in the garage and you suspected he was going to enter the house, you couldn't prove it in court. If you don't even have a castle law in your state, forget the gun.

And even if they enter the house, you can't kill them without knowing they are there to injure you. If you kill an intruder and he has no weapon, you're going to prison. At least that's how it is in Virginia.

WRONG, in Va if you feel your life is in danger you're justified. Obviously you must articulate that, ie: Its dark and someone insists on breaking though my locked bedroom door even after Ive stated that I have a gun is different than catching someone stealing my bbq in the middle of the day. You should read the VSC and understand it before you post stuff like that.

ETA: Theres plenty of case law to show that you dont have much of a duty to retreat if youre in your home.

To keep this somewhat on topic, that is a great idea.

 

[swisscheeze29]

WRONG, in Va if you feel your life is in danger you're justified. Obviously you must articulate that

Are you blind? I clearly articulated it. "And even if they enter the house, you can't kill them without knowing they are there to injure you"

So yes, you are justified if they are going to injure you, or if you feel you life is in danger. They mean the same thing ya know.

And for your example, if the intruder is heading into your locked bedroom, he's there to hurt you and obviously you can kill him. There is no such thing as breaking into a room full of people, raiding their stuff, and not threatening their lives. My post was about stealing the BBQ and bike, the most common robberies and thefts, which happen during the day. Not so much raiding bedrooms in the middle of the night. Thank God I live in an area where that kind of stuff doesn't happen.

 

[kylebacc]

Thank God I live in an area where that kind of stuff doesn't happen.

x2. Sorry about being off topic by the way. Anyway, this is a good idea, and even though I sleep with my keys next to me, I never though to use them this way. But now that this has been brought to my attention, I will :reddance:

 

[SV_Dude]

I find it hard to believe that requardless of what state you reside in, you don't have any legal right to defend yourself? I'm sorry, if someone breaks into my house or my neighbors house, or ANY house... that in itself shows intent to harm which should allow you to defend yourself in any means you can.

I know some states have more strict laws than others for gun control but I would like to think that you have a right to self defense!

 

[004Gunner]

I know some states have more strict laws than others for gun control but I would like to think that you have a right to self defense!

Every living creature on this planet has the right to self-defense. Castle doctrine does not define whether or not you have the right to defend yourself. You do. To say otherwise is absurd. And under any circumstance in which you feel your life is threatened, and a reasonable and prudent person would feel the same, lethal force is within your legal right.

Castle doctrine defines one's right to defend his or her property and those inside it with lethal force if there is an attack that would give cause for a reasonable and prudent person to fear serious bodily harm and/or death.

See why we should just scare off intruders if possible, say with a key fob, as opposed to putting 2 in the chest and 1 to the head?

 

[LINY4Runner]

Every living creature on this planet has the right to self-defense. Castle doctrine does not define whether or not you have the right to defend yourself. You do. To say otherwise is absurd. And under any circumstance in which you feel your life is threatened, and a reasonable and prudent person would feel the same, lethal force is within your legal right.

Castle doctrine defines one's right to defend his or her property and those inside it with lethal force if there is an attack that would give cause for a reasonable and prudent person to fear serious bodily harm and/or death.

See why we should just scare off intruders if possible, say with a key fob, as opposed to putting 2 in the chest and 1 to the head?

x2^^

well put.

 

[offshorebear]

My state has castle doctrine defined by case law. I can respond to anyone who breaks into my home with lethal force. I am not protected in civil court, the family of the victim can sue the crap out of me. Other states with real castle doctrine have this protection built in, which is very important.

It's important to note that with castle doctrine, there is no need to be in fear of your life. You just need to know they broke into your home, not walk through an open door.

 

[SV_Dude]

Every living creature on this planet has the right to self-defense. Castle doctrine does not define whether or not you have the right to defend yourself. You do. To say otherwise is absurd. And under any circumstance in which you feel your life is threatened, and a reasonable and prudent person would feel the same, lethal force is within your legal right.

Castle doctrine defines one's right to defend his or her property and those inside it with lethal force if there is an attack that would give cause for a reasonable and prudent person to fear serious bodily harm and/or death.

See why we should just scare off intruders if possible, say with a key fob, as opposed to putting 2 in the chest and 1 to the head?

I read up a bit on the Castle Doctrine today and from what I understood on it is that you do have a legal right to use deadly force on someone. But the intruder must have forced themselves within "your castle", whether it be your car, home, or whatever public place you may be in. But the intruder must also show intent to harm or kill.

BUT... It did say that in a few states, I forget which ones, but, DC and Virginia are two of them where the Castle Law does not apply and you do not have the legal right to shoot someone even if they do show intent to harm or kill.

To me, that seems wrong to not be able to defend yourself on someone who shows intent to harm or kill.

 

[004Gunner]

BUT... It did say that in a few states, I forget which ones, but, DC and Virginia are two of them where the Castle Law does not apply and you do not have the legal right to shoot someone even if they do show intent to harm or kill.

To me, that seems wrong to not be able to defend yourself on someone who shows intent to harm or kill.

I would suggest you search for what constitutes justifiable homicide within your state. Laws are confusing enough as it is, and there is no need to memorize the laws of states with which you have no ties. The right to self defense is considered inherent. You do not need anyone to determine whether or not you have the right to defend yourself.