Booby-trapped weapon shoots alleged burglar

The Sparta Expositor ^ | Sep. 16, 2005 | Jody Sliger

[2Am4Sure]

As a ex-fireman, who has made many a forced entry to fight fires (and presumably do the homeowner a favor) I think this homeowner is the worst kind of idiot.

Don't do this, folks. I am certain that you would feel pretty low if you maimed or killed a fireman or other emergency personnel.

[ncountylee]

Spring gun = bad idea!

[el_chupacabra]

Sounds like a perfectly good way to go to jail for a long, long time.

[ibbryn]

He's not just an idiot, he's criminally stupid. He'll be charged/convicted with something.

[CindyDawg]

I'm not sure but I think it's against the law. Get a dog or an alarm system. What if it was your kids?

[yarddog]

I reluctantly agree with you. I could maybe see it if there was a clear warning posted on the door but even then it is risky.

[clee1]

Booby trapping is never a good idea, outside of a combat zone.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Yes, the same technology could take a picture of the perp. Most places have laws preventing the laying of traps for criminals, and yes, they can operating on the innocent as well.

[CWW]

Spring-loaded gun traps are illegal in almost every state. Had the guy broken in and been shot by the owner (with gun in hand), the no problem.

The law is designed to prevent accidental shootings. Picture a neighborhood kid opening the door by mistake.

[mtbopfuyn]

I predict a very large law suit and jail time for him.

[VadeRetro]

Thirty years ago some poor old farmer got the pants sued off of him for this by the burglar. Said burglar paid a $50 fine but won about $30,000 dollars, a lot of bucks back then. The farmer and his wife were something close to bankrupted by it all.

[muir_redwoods]

First thing my father taught me about shooting is not to shoot what you can't see. In a trap like this, one is shooting what one cannot see. It could have been a child or even the trappers own child. It could have been a UPS driver ar a neighbor. This fool deserves to be locked up for a very long time irrespective of the motives of the person entering the home.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

The idiot that set this booby trap should wind up under the pen. Texas adds 20 years just for making a set-gun. In this case, a person was injured. Stupid to the 10th degree. Not just for emergency personnel. Post office, delivery, or even an invited guest. A man has a right to protect his property, yet there is absolutely never a reason to use a set-gun or a bomb.

[LibWhacker]

When he arrived at the scene, Austin showed the officers how he had set up the gun.

Dat boy goin' to jail! Booby traps are a big no-no. In fact, I'm surprised he isn't in jail right now. What gives with that?

[yarddog]

I recall a simlar incident in Dothan, Alabama, in the early 70's. A guy had been burglarized before and set a spring gun. He also put a warning that there was trip wired gun behind the window.

A burglar tried to break in and was killed. The cops said "fine with them".

[tet68]

It is against the law in this state (Ga.) and most likely
in every other one. It's called a set gun and will get you
time, hard time.

I remember reading about a business owner who booby trapped
his business after repeated breakins, put a bed frame wired
to 220 under the access hatch from his roof. Killed the
burglar, owner's now in the slammer

[AdamSelene235]

In fact, I'm surprised he isn't in jail right now. What gives with that?

You've never been to White County, have you?

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[wysiwyg]

From the story, it's not even clear that the victim was breaking and entering. Even if he was, though, the homeowner is in a heap of trouble.

[cripplecreek]

Ten or fifteen years ago a local idiot set a crossbow up in the woods with a trip wire and killed a teenager wandering in the woods. I don't remember what they charged the idiot with but he went away for awhile.