I do not recommend "warning shots", but the absolute fear of them is unwarranted.
There are many documented cases where they appear to "work".
In this case, the shotgun was likely loaded with bird shot, so the danger from ricochet was very small. If shot in the air, virtually no danger to others.
Situational Awareness - Situational Awareness - Situational Awareness
There’s a woman, former army vet IIRC, who fired warning shots at her ex-husband and got a lengthy jail sentence. Can’t remember where it happened but it was discussed on FR.
In the time it takes to cycle the action the perp can spill your guts. Unless you have a double barrel or auto you have, for a moment, an empty chamber.
IF you make the MISTAKE of firing a “warning shot”, NEVER tell the cops it was a “warning shot”!!!
The ONLY think you EVER tell the cops is that “I WAS IN FEAR FOR MY LIFE, and I fired at the attacker.”
Blatantly false from what the article says.
He did not shoot at the burglar. He shot at the ground.
Not only that, it sounds like his aim was pretty good, too, and he hit exactly what he shot at.
As such, it seems reasonable to assume that if he had shot at the burglar, he most likely would have hit the burglar.
Therefore, the headline is wrong and misleading and I think the reporter should apologize to the homeowner for implying the homeowner is a poor shot.
The man does a good deed and then gets insulted? What is the world coming to?
It’s a sad country we live in where honest people defending themselves makes for shock value headlines.