Tell it to a judge or DA in my NYC hood my friend. If the guy robbed your house and you shoot him in the back while he is running away, you are going to jail for a long long long time.
Not if you cover up the drag marks going into the house....
Instead of being concerned with the cost of the rifle, maybe they should spend a bit more time estimating the cost of their attorney's fee for shooting a guy taking action on the car of a neighbor. I am willing to bet the cost of the auto insurance policy is MUCH cheaper.
Well thats what you get for living in NYC.