Posted on 02/13/2012 7:41:48 PM PST by djf
For most of us, our home is our refuge. There is even an old proverb: a man’s home is his castle. But what happens if there is an intruder? Or worse, an intruder whose intent is bodily harm toward you or your family members regardless of the reason? How would you defend yourself and, more specifically, would you shoot someone? Could you shoot someone?
I have struggled with the answer to these questions and more, because, if there were a collapse of society – a true SHTF situation – there is a strong likelihood that I would be placed in a position to defend myself, my homestead and my stuff. And therein lies the problem. I am not at all sure I could shoot someone. As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure I could not.
There, I said it. For in spite of the fact that we have shopped for a suitable weapon for someone of my size and gender, and in spite of the fact I have researched classes and shooting ranges where I could practice and become proficient, I personally do not think I could not do it.
And you know what? My informal poll of others – both men and women – has told me that about 50% of us – if we dig down deep – feel the same way. I could not shoot with the intent to harm.
Sure, I know that shooting someone is not the question. The question really is “Can you safely defend yourself and your family against a life threatening situation or attack?” And if the answer is “I don’t know” or even “No”, then you have a problem. I know I do.
From the way I see it, we have three basic issues:
What are the circumstances where we should use extreme force to defend ourselves? Will I end up in jail or prison for exercising my right to defend myself and my family? How do I defend myself especially if I am uncomfortable around guns?
What are the circumstances where we should use extreme force to defend ourselves?
In my mind, you are justified in using force – lethal or otherwise – against another human being if, and only if, there is immediate and unavoidable danger of death or grave bodily harm to an innocent person. So by my definition, someone stealing my stuff does not qualify. Neither would revenge for something that happened yesterday.
Breaking this down, this means that the threat would have to be now, not yesterday and not tomorrow. “I am going to come and get you tomorrow” would not qualify by my definition.
Will I end up in jail or prison for exercising my right to defend myself and my family?
Good question. The answer is maybe. There is something called the Castle Doctrine that dictates, on a state by state basis, the circumstances where you can legally defend yourself from bodily harm. Notice that I said bodily harm and not destruction or theft of property.
Castle doctrine derives from English Common Law, and broadly affirms that the lawful occupants of a dwelling has the right to use force, up to and including deadly force, to protect against attack. Depending on individual state law, Castle Doctrine generally applies only if you have a “reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm” to yourself or to others.
Like I said, Castle Doctrine varies from state to state and some states have something called “Stand Your Ground” instead. Still, as a generalization, protections offered include the following:
Reinforced right to use deadly force: You have the right to use deadly force if you have an immediate and reasonable fear of imminent death or great bodily harm. In some cases, the “reasonable fear” is presumed if someone attempts to make a forcible and unlawful entry into your residence or, in some states, vehicle.
No duty to retreat: The laws generally reinforce your right to “stand your ground” when attacked, rather than having to attempt to flee, provided you reasonably believe force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily injury and provided you are lawfully in the place you occupy.
Immunity from criminal prosecution: In cases of justifiable use of deadly force, police or other law enforcement authorities may generally investigate but not arrest you unless they find probable cause that the force used was unlawful.
Immunity from civil action: In cases of justifiable use of deadly force, a plaintiff (e.g. the family of the perpetrator) is barred from civil action and may be required to pay attorney’s fees and court costs from bringing such action against you.
How do I defend myself especially if I am uncomfortable around guns?
Okay, here are the choices that I have come up with in no particular order:
Chemical Sprays (pepper spray , bear spray, wasp killer) Martial arts Firearms (shotgun, rifle, pistol) Battering devices (batons, fireplace pokers, baseball bats) Stun Guns If SHTF, Could You and Would You Shoot Someone? Knives Avoidance (hiding, running away)
6205322443 31d7429d25 If SHTF, Could You and Would You Shoot Someone?I do want to note that most self defense instructors will say that avoiding, or running away or even hiding from the danger or confrontation is by far the best thing to do. Unfortunately, that may not always be a viable and safe option.
For me, having a combination of these self-defense mechanisms is best. This will allow both Survival Husband and myself to choose the very best option particular to the threat and our personal comfort lever (again “to shoot” or “not to shoot”).
Summary
Ask yourself if you are ready for the chaos created by SHTF, in whatever form it might take. Also think about putting together a “SHTF Self Defense and Intruder Safety Plan”.
Here are some tips to get started:
1. The first step is to talk to your spouse, partner and/or other family members about your individual feelings a toward guns, knives and other self defense weapons. This is not the time for BS. It is best to be honest with yourself now, before the need to defend yourself is called in to action.
2. Examine some what-if scenarios and think about what additional information you need in order to become comfortable with your plan and with a possible “shoot” or don’t shoot” decision.
3. Invest in the gear and the skills you know you will use and then learn how to use them. The gear and skills that you select for one family member may be different than those chosen for another family member. One may choose a firearm and the other may choose a combination of chemical sprays and martial arts.
4. Respect the skills and mindset of your family members or others in your household. There is no right and no wrong.
5. Educate yourself regarding the Castle Doctrine Laws in your state and use them as a guideline in formulating your plan. Keep in mind, however, that if there is a SHTF situation, there may no longer be a government so any existing laws or rules may not apply.
The Final Word
The more you think about these things in advance, the more confident you will become in your ability to make a good decision under stress when defending yourself and your loved ones is the only choice your have.
To learn more about the Castle Doctrine Laws specific to your state, visit this link: The Castle Doctrine.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
They are stealing anything that they can get their hands on, but they're mainly after recyclable metals. They have become so bold as to steal central heat and air units from homes and churches in broad daylight. A friend of mine went on a business trip for a few days and when he returned he found that his house had been completely stripped, plumbing and all.
The owner of one of the recycling centers in our area told me that all of this is happening because of a pill he calls a "Roxie".
The pill Zombies have now graduated to home invasions. They're cutting the power to people's homes and breaking in at night, not caring if the owners are there.
Now, people who know me know that I don't bother a soul. I'm just trying to make a living for my family and live peaceably. But they also know if you mess with me and mine then I will have no qualms about sending you to hell. I believe that bit of knowledge alone has been a deterrent and has kept my family and property safe so far.
Never point a gun at anyone unless you are totally willing to pull the trigger....
Never pull the trigger unless you fully intend to kill the person....If my family or myself were threatened, I would not hesitate to pull the trigger.....that is the mind set you have to get....
I don't like my granddaughters recent boyfriend, can you say conceited and thinks his shit don't stink...
When I first met him at a family party, I smiled at him and said we all love my granddaughter and I am over 70, own a gun and wouldn't mind going to prison if anyone hurt her....later on I told him all of her uncles hunt, own guns and some bow hunt, no noise. Her last boyfriend she had had for years I dearly loved and he was sweet, talented in art, and sat down with me, and 3 of my grandchildren during one family graduation and all he and my granddaughter knew was Texas hold um, Taught them several different draw games, several different kinds of stud but they loved......deuces and jacks and the man with the axe (wild) but a pair of natural 7's take all...he didn't quite get it the first time as I had up natural 7's and he bet....we excused him the first time....its a form of 7 card stud...
Love for your friends and family’s safety an lives is your answer..... Shoot to defend. Shoot to stop the threat. Shoot to kill.
“I have been attacked by a stranger without warning, reason, or provocation before. Right up until the instant he swung the pipe at me I was thinking: “he’s not a threat, I’m just being jumpy”
A few weeks ago I pulled up to a fishing spot on the river, and opened my door. I realized that someone was running up to me, drew, and pointed my weapon at him. These events happened so quickly my brain didn’t catch up for half a second or so.
Apparently, it was just some teenaged moron wanting to know the time...perhaps...I don’t know. He said something like, “Oh, that’s how it is, is it?” then asked the time and left.
Jumpy? Okay. If I weren’t jumpy, I’d have been dead long before this.
However, I do have a very large gun collection, so NOBODY BETTER MESS WITH ME.
Or I'll cry.
I will even use SARCASM if necessary!!!!
Ha! I have a story from my drug-using days....
So, I finally screw things up enough to get myself in a homeless shelter. I'm outside, selling individual cigarettes (to afford my next pack) and a dude gets one from me. We are kinda off to the side of the shelter, not quite in an alley, but in a nearly-untravelled street. He makes to leave, I'm like, "Where's the payment?". He picks up a board and swings it at me, as hard as he can.
It impacts my stomach, gently and lightly. The lightest tap possible. I look at him, and I say, "Dude. You need to get to a hospital. Seriously. If that is an attack, YOU NEED MEDICAL TREATMENT."
I walked away, shaking my head. He can have the cigarette. He's almost dead anyways, right? LOL
From a grateful nation, thank you for your service. Our brother was KIA in SVN in 1968 at Mo Duc. He was a draftee medic ambushed on a front line run to attend wounded.
From a grateful nation, thank you for your service. Our brother was KIA in SVN in 1968 at Mo Duc. He was a draftee medic ambushed on a front line run to attend wounded.
From a grateful nation, thank you for your service. Our brother was KIA in SVN in 1968 at Mo Duc. He was a draftee medic ambushed on a front line run to attend wounded.
If they’re in my house uninvited, I grab the Mossberg and I don’t stop until I see brains.
Several folks have brought up the issue of someone fleeing...
That person running away could come back later to exact revenge or, find another easier target to prey on. It may not be you and yours but their escaping almost guarantees someone else will have to suffer because he got away.
I know the laws say don’t shoot someone who is fleeing but I would be afraid for my life of his returning. In a SHTF situation I’ll take the shot and remove the possibility of the parasite hurting another person.
That's like asking if you have lots of food and ammo.
And by the way, what's your home address?
Never divulge your particulars, and never admit to specifics.
Because when TSHTF, the Federal government will be looking for sloppy preppers like this first, who brag about what they have and what they'll do with it.
Is a heartbeat in NY a longer one or shorter? Inquiring minds want to know...
What does SHTF have to do with it? I’ve always felt that if at *any* time you perceive an unavoidable grave threat to you and yours, you have a moral obligation to stop it.
Been there and the answer is yes.
Thanks for the ping Kart. Yet another good discussion.
One must not only be willing to kill, but one must also practice TACTICS!!
Practice is key.
We might not all be the same, but even at their most basic level... a normal human being will do whatever it takes to stay alive.
As if the last 10,000 years of human history with violence doesn't tell us anything.
With all due respect to Dr. Grossman, this doesn’t really apply in the case(s) that can be envisioned in the question on this post. The anonymity of a mass of men is not the same as facing somebody robbing your home or your store, or (in a post-EOTWAWKI situation) defending your family from marauders trying to take your food away. Abundant evidence shows that even regular people will be willing to take somebody else’s life in such cases.
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