Posted on 06/02/2020 2:38:27 PM PDT by MrChips
I do own a gun, but it doesn’t get much use, and I am not up to speed on what the law allows. Here’s my question: Am I right to conclude that the right to shoot someone attacking you or your property depends on the state in which you live? For example, I have heard that in North Carolina, where I have friends who carry, an intruder must be inside the door of your home for you to have the right to shoot him; if he is taking an ax to your front door but he’s not inside your home, You do not have the right to shoot him. In Florida, however, there is a stand your ground law extending your right to shoot someone outside your home. What I am thinking about here, is the people who arm themselves in order to defend their local businesses from rioters and looters. If someone is throwing bricks at your store front, can you shoot? Or does he have to come in through the door as a looter, first?
However, this would most likely be effective:
https://youtu.be/zUpI4ysglAU
If someone is banging on the door, I would not shoot through the door since there may be innocents on the other side. YMMV
Not asking for personal gun use information. I am just trying to understand what store owners are facing when their businesses are threatened by rioters. What rights do they have?
“I was in fear for my life, I shot and he kept coming, so I kept shooting!”
The time you need to count bullets is on the range, so you don’t bust your budget!
In the Summer of 1969 I was taking my date to watch the Asheville Tourists play in beautiful McCormic Field. It was good baseball and admittance was only 75 cents. A cheap date.
Getting to the stadium you passed through an area of South Asheville called “Little Africa”. I have absolutely no idea of why what happened next.
Suddenly a white Pontiac Convertible blocked me in. All 8 Blacks began piling out. One of them yelled ‘chicken shit” for whatever reason.
Next I went for the Browning Hi-Power under the seat. One of them yelled “he has a gun” and they all piled back in. I actually had not even touched the gun yet but they knew.
I was unprepared and made some mistakes, however I would have killed every one of them and made national news if I had to. I should have hit the door lock and raised the window first.
My girlfriend was sure they would have murdered us. I later told the story to a Black Federal Agent I worked with. He said that I saved us from a beating. He didn’t think they would have killed us. I think he was right.
I forgot to mention that it was a nice situation to have my 14 shot Browning instead of a six shot revolver.
These are the “show of force/threat” stories seldom told and certainly not related in the anti-gun conversations.
The Hi Power is a nice weapon, especially after I removed the sandpaper-like mag safety.
In MA, you have a duty to retreat.
Someone taking a TV out of your home? Can’t shoot.
Someone entering your home and coming after you, you have to prove that there was nowhere for you to go.
Although...some guy just got acquitted for shooting a guy kicking in his door. So, there is hope.
But yeah, in MA you better be sure that you are not saving your life, just to spend the rest of it in prison.
You should be comfortable with your gun so if a time of crisis arrives you muscle memory does half the job for you.
I would also add that if you are not practiced in the handling and use of your firearm you are putting YOUR life in danger.
Get it out. Practice. Be proficient.
Or lock it up and come back with another plan.
That mag safety does harm the trigger pull but mine is just fine with it. Actually both it and the part of the mags which rub have polished themselves.
It does have some real usefulness in some situations.
And then they REALLY don't like it. Because they may end up having to arrest you when you were in the right, up until the moment when you tampered with evidence.
You made a clear cut case of justifiable homicide into a murky one that is going to, at best, leave a cloud over your reputation forever.
Never touch the scene.
Never talk to the police with out your lawyer.
Never talk to anyone else about it either.
Taking a life even when it is in the defense of your self or others is a heavy burden to decent people.
Since you are a good person and you want to justify what you did by talking it out.
Don't.
Keep your mouth shut, before, during and after.
That is the price you will have to pay.
Yes, each state makes their own laws.
New York is different from Texas.
Also, I don’t think you would do this but don’t kid yourself thinking you can chase a suspicious person down and make a citizen’s arrest using a gun.
He just might call your bluff and then you end up having to shoot him, and your life would never be the same, and his life just ended if that matters.
Your state is probably like mine, generally. Enjoy your guns and stuff, but defense only. Oh yeah hunting and stuff too, if you’re into it.
Agree. Always use your legal force in defense of yourself or someone else. Without hesitation. But do not go looking for a scenario where you can just shoot someone.
Always in defense of the living. Never to protect property. Even a righteous shot will cost you at least 20k.
“Lawful use of force” Class is what you need. Take it in person fir the best interaction. Depending on the State, it may be a class separate from the concealed carry class. Its a good habit to take the courses in each state that you live, as each location is different.
AFAIK, cities and Counties cannot make gun laws more stringent than the State laws.
Good story.
Reminds me of Clint asking the guy if he had fired 5 or 6.
“AFAIK, cities and Counties cannot make gun laws more stringent than the State laws.”
Two things - first it depends on the state. Many states do not have preemption, so therefore owning a gun isn’t difficult in New York State, but next to impossible in New York City (for example). The redder states, of course, do have preemption.
Second - My point was it’s not just the laws you have to worry about, it’s the people who enforce those laws. Very few cases are black and white, most have gray areas. Again, if the people who can charge you support the Second Amendment, there is a far better chance you’ll get the benefit of the doubt. And life is much, much, easier if you never get charged, regardless of the laws.
Third (just came to me) - Who would you want on your jury? People who are looters or parents of looters, or people who support the Second Amendment, or at least having some people who support the Second Amendment. I know if I’m on a jury and the police say that a home owner went too far in using a gun in self defense, I’m going to much more receptive to that home owner’s argument, than say someone who is only interested in ‘racial justice’, for example.
I don’t know about NC. Why don’t you take 20 minutes to Google the gun laws in your state and end your ignorance. Maybe drag yourself to the gun range and practice so you actually know what to do with your gun if intruders appear at your home.
You don’t have a right to shoot anyone. You have a right to defend your life.
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