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?
Great thing about a dog is it can run around a corner, bullets not so much. A Chicago cop told my dad that years ago when he was hauling freight up there. :)
The best thing that you can do is find out about all the applicable gun laws in your state. Don’t just rely on what your buddies tell you. Join a gun club. Check out organizations like Gun Owners of America. The NRA is another source for information, although I prefer GOA. Educate yourself. That and take a tactical course and get some good range time in. Your gun is your best friend.
Most of the FReepers in this thread should be ashamed.
You know who you are.
If you’re defending your family & property from violent lunatics, why would you give a flying f...what your governor or state law “allows” you to do?
Man up, dammit.
We talk about this a lot at our Saturday cookout at the gun club. The club CEO is a big time lawyer here in SC. His advice: be like George Zimmerman under attack, fearing for your life and shoot as the very last resort.
Shooting looters to protect property is a loser in court. Those bakery owners in Cleveland would have been in big trouble if they shot a rioter to protect their property/business.
In the case of a complete breakdown of civil order rules of engagement would be less stringent. However, remember the first rule of Joey:
Always look for the camera first.
If you shoot someone, unless your in the middle of the ocean or a forest, someone will catch you on camera.
Example: Tom is sleeping in the backseat of his parked car in a rough neighborhood in Henderson. Suddenly he is awoken by a gang member trying to break the windshield. Tom takes his pistol and shoots him, killing him. Here, the castle doctrine applies because he was in a vehicle. Therefore, he was legally permitted to use deadly force against any intruder, even if he did not fear for his life.
Tampering with evidence will change the narrative immediately and shift a presumption of guilt to YOU for doing that.
Forensics have advanced to the point any changes you make will be noticed and noted.
“Not to be snarky but if you are asking questions like this, you better enroll in a carry class. Then read up on your state laws. Then practice, get some carry insurance and practice. Then study your state laws and practice. In other words. Having an airplane don’t mean shitz if you can’t fly it. Take care and practice.”
Agree. You’ve asked a question that requires a book (of which there are many) to answer
Fwiw, I was a city, parish, state & federal LEO for virtually all of my working career & the ONE thing that I can tell FOR CERTAIN is to FIND OUT FOR SURE what the LAWS are in YOUR JURISDICTION & in the PLACES WHERE YOU TRAVEL. = DO NOT GUESS!!!
Laws on self-defense, defense of property & defense of other people VARIES so much that you can make NO general rule.
Yours, TMN78247
USAMPR, Retired
And the probable tell-tell signs of a smeared blood trail?
Explain that.
My first call is my neighbor with an excavator.
“...there is NO law that allows anyone to kill another. Period....”
Maybe not per se but the justifiable use of deadly force in defense of self or others is tantamount.
Plus the trajectory rods that the forensic investigators will insert in the wound channel. Just go ahead and get in the car and ride with them to the station. You are going anyway, it just saves time. [When you shoot someone and drag them into the house.]
Learn the laws of your own state, county and city. Do not rely on internet advice. Then retain an attorney bef0re you are ever involved in a shooting incident; don’t wait until afterward.
You are in Texas? Go take a License To Carry class. You don’t have to get the license if you don’t want to, but a certified instructor will teach you the rules in Texas. It might cost as much as $50. Probably will cost less.
Unless they’re doing a Goldilocks, anybody in my home uninvited is assumed to be hostile. Anybody attempting to enter by force is assumed to be hostile. Does that mean I’m immediately going to use deadly force? No, but it does mean I’m prepared to do so.
Depends on what kind of property damage.
If they are brrakingnyour door to get to you, then thats a fear for your life scenario
or if they are trying to set your house or vehicle on fire with you in it, or damaging your vehicle tovtry to get you out of it to attack you
much different than vandalizing your garbage can
I am not a big fan of Ayoob but he wrote one article which I really liked.
He recounted several incidents where he would have been justified in killing someone but chose not to and he was glad he chose that way.
I am not going to shoot someone just because I might be justified in doing so. It has to be where I really had no other choice.
I was in fear for my life and I need medical assistance. Then STFU, get a lawyer.
Well put.
Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6
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