What if he fell down and was paralyzed, so he COULDN'T hurt anyone?
What if he was actually the guy's uncle, and he didn't recognize him?
What if the shotgun malfunctioned, and the homeowner blew his hand off?
What if lightning struck the man's house at EXACTLY the same moment that he squeezed the trigger? WHAT THEN???
This "what if" game is fun! ...and, of course, completely irrelevant.
I would classify someone breaking into my house at night possessing something that could be used as a weapon (fire extinguisher, knife, gun, candlestick, golf club...) as an act of violence.
Well, the law and the dictionary don't. That's why I commented. (ANYTHING "could" be used as a weapon.) That's why there are laws against "burglary" and "robbery." They aren't the same thing.
As Rush is fond of reminding his listeners: Words mean things! The word "violent" means something, and tossing it around for kicks is just sloppy.
...To be met with a loaded shotgun and handgun as a backup.
I agree, but not because he was "violent" in this instance. The correct word is "dangerous", or perhaps "threatening." Because he didn't actually attack anyone or start destroying stuff, the crime just wasn't "violent."
Sorry.
This is why I live in Texas. Both the law and I both agree that anyone attempting to break into my house after dark is by definition an act of violence and I am fully justified in using deadly force up to and including the use of a carriage mounted artillery howitzer to defend myself. I don’t have to wait for a ‘further threat’ to materialize, I don’t have to wait to see a weapon - he breaks the window or kicks in the door, it’s go time.
By the way, this also occurred in Texas, so no, by legal definition it was a violent act to be repulsed by force. Surprise!