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
This is a good discussion but the writer created a framework of mush then attempted to generate an article from a flawed premise. First off, if it is truly SHTF, society has moved well beyond discussion or consideration of Castle Doctrine or other self-defense laws. Law really no longer exists to be considered, IMO.
Next, your stuff = your life in a true societal breakdown. Somebody taking your critical stuff means you/your family have to do without. Think of the hanging of horse thieves in the Old West - capital punishment for stealing stuff but the loss of a horse could be a death sentence. Failing to frame the argument properly means you become an easy mark if you’re not willing to defend your stuff. Again, remember the context of a true societal breakdown.
Giving proper consideration to the requisite moral dilemmas that are unique to each individual and conducting a discussion on how each will approach a defensive situation is a good exercise to conduct before the rubber meets the road. Just be sure to understand the criteria and framework in order to have an honest discussion.
Preppers’ PING!
Not at all.
According to Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, a military psychiatrist, in his recent book "On Killing," only about fifteen percent of troops on active battlefields will actually shoot AT the enemy. And these are troops that have gone through the military indoctrination designed to break down the very natural aversion most people have for taking another human's life.
I recommend the book to any and all Interested in the subject.
I will!
I will, too.
You certainly are a conflicted person. You write “I am not at all sure I could shoot someone. As a matter of fact, I am pretty sure I could not.” Then you note that you have shopped for a firearm and consider firearms in another part as an option.
Please, Lady, what is it? Why shop for a firearm, why consider firearms if that’s your attitude?
No problem. I would have a problem shooting an animal though. Is it me?
My dad was a career prison guard and they make enemies.
He went to work one night and shortly after he left, some nut was trying to kick in the heavy living room door.
I could see his eyes through the 60’s style staggered horizontal glass panes and that’s exactly where I pointed the .22 Ruger and cocked the hammer and closed my left eye, preparing to fire.
His eyes got *really* big and he took off.
I was 9.
My mom, in the mean time, was behind me screaming and crying.
Whenever dad left to go hunting he’d always tell me “You take care of Mom, now, ya hear?”
He knew the score.
If you answered no to your question than you automatically have become victim and prey for the predators. If you have no family to defend I have no problem with you becoming the victim and prey. If you do have family to defend to become prey and leaving your family defenseless would be a very base act and betrayal of those you love and are supposed to protect. I would have nothing but contempt for a man or woman that chooses this path.
I know.
My eyes started to roll back into my head after about ten sentences.
If TSHTF, it’s Mad Max time, baby.
Yes and I have a list in my head. Others can make the list through their actions.
I’ve gone almost 70 years without shooting at anyone or without anyone shooting at me. I’ve been close enough to the enemy to be rattled by outgoing artillery, but still never been mano a mano with a baddie. I’m fairly well armed and hope that I have the moxie to use a weapon against someone who is threatening me and mine.
Yes and I have a list in my head. Others can make the list through their actions.
But I prefer blade weapons.
Without a doubt and without hesitation and it won’t be to wound.
The ONLY thing I can think of that would prevent me from shooting is if I fail to recognize the threat before its too late. 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”. After that day, I decided I would buy a handgun(up to that point I only owned rifles and shotguns) and not second guess my instincts anymore. But...I am not in the habit of acting on instincts. I am in the habit of analyzing the facts, thinking it over, and then making a decision.
I don’t care if TS has HTF or not, if someone threatens myself or a member of my family, they have declared ‘war’ on us, and will be treated accordingly. I would have no joy in taking a life, but I also have no joy in stopping for red lights or paying taxes.
In 1970 I woke up in the middle of the night to unfamiliar noises, saw an enemy combatant (we called them VC back then) in the doorway and put a 3 round bursts in him before getting out of my bunk to go to GQ.
I think I could do that again if needed.
You can’t hesitate, if you do you’re dead.
Nope.
It broke my heart to shoot the 3 rabid coons in my yard last fall but if they’d been 3 people attacking my dogs, I’d had ventilated the hell out of them.
I agree she sets the wrong or at least incorrectly stated premise.
But when you think about it, is there any difference between a run-of-the-mill break-in/robbery or a true disaster/SHTF/societal breakdown kind of thing?
If I woke up and there was someone uninvited in my house I would probably shoot.
But if SHTF and a ten year old knocks on my door and asks for a bowl of soup, I wouldn’t even think about shooting.
Trouble is in many situations, you do not have the luxury of time (or even the light of day) to make a rational decision.
Well hi to a fellow bug saver. I don't kill them either unless I feel I have to. Mostly, all they want to do is mind their own little bug business and live.
I once found a grasshopper hanging unto a twig in a pool. He was transparent. Apparently he had hung on so long in the water as to wash away his color. I thought, if a bug desires to live that much, who am I to kill it. I took him out of the pool and he was quite happy to be saved.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.