ANSWERS: 16
  • I don't think so. As long as you don't shoot him in the back or outside of your home.
  • You're 53% likely to shoot a family member than an intruder. Just remember that every time you pick it up. Would be wise to not get one and let the police handle whatever intruder you have. And yes, you are likely to go to jail for at least 10 years.
  • You have to check your local laws. They are different everywhere.
  • Check your local statutes. In Texas you'd be fine, California maybe not. If I'm on your jury you're good to go.
  • You could consider getting a 12-gauge pump-action shotgun; the sound of you chambering a shell might be enough of a hint to some intruder to get the hell out. Consider though that it can be dangerous to have a handgun in the house, you absolutely must make sure that it's stored safely so that your children don't shoot themselves or you. However at the same time for purposes of home defense it needs to be quickly available, which is difficult if you're keeping it in a safe for instance. You can't really say to a potential burglar, "HOLD ON I'm getting my gun, you just wait right there buddy!" Maybe a nonlethal weapon like a taser or stun gun would be more helpful? Or get a few dogs, they're loveable and loyal and may sacrifice themselves (God forbid) to protect the family.
  • First off, you don't live alone. You live with your children. Second, I believe that as long as the intruder's body remains inside of the home you are good to go. If you shhot him and heleaves your house, you need to drag his ass back in and finish the job.
  • The question is, what is worse, going to jail or failing to protect your family from being killed in their sleep? Regardless of the law in your state, you should have some means to protect yourself and your children.
  • In England you are allowed to use 'reasonable force' to protect yourself, family and home/possessions from an intruder under self-defence laws. However, whether shooting someone is reasonable force is debateable. I would suggest that if you are going to get a gun for this purpose use it to threaten the intruder by all means but don't actually fire unless it is absolutely neccessary to protect your/a family member's life. x
  • A plea of self defence might work if you are being attacked and you shoot the intruder in the front, but it may be more difficult for you if they are running away or trying to escape and you shoot them in the back. I like the idea of the dogs, the intruder might think twice about breaking in if he or she hears the noise of two German Shepherds or Pitt Bulls barking and want to sink their teeth into him/her. I've seen pictures of people bitten by those dogs and their injuries are horrific. The end result being, the intruder has to live with those injuries for the rest of their life and you don't spend 20 years in jail. As a home owner I'd be happy with that result.
  • Something to keep in mind: Just having a weapon in the house carries its own risk. The risk of an accidental shooting skyrockets when a gun is present and that includes children. You can actually put them at more risk than if an intruder tried to enter. Something like 99% of all home intrusions are when the owners are not home. Confrontations are dangerous for everyone and burglars know that and they'll generally run when something goes wrong whether you have a gun or not.
  • thank all of you for commenting and giving your advice. it was all very good advice and info. thank you all vey much.
  • Not in Texas. Just make sure you don't shoot a family member or the UPS guy. Take a gun course from a local gun store and let them help you pick out a suitable weapon. A shotgun is good because the pellets won't travel through walls or into the neighbors house. They are large. I prefer something with a high capacity magazine. I expect to hear them before I see them and I will start firing rapidly at the floor as I approach. I'm guessing that after 10 - 15 shots they will take the hint and exit ASAP. I would rather not have to kill anyone. https://www.entrygear.com/product.asp?id=MGGL17133 But ... if they are not leaving I still have about 20 rounds left.
  • the law says that you can't shoot him if he is just robbing you, you have to call for help or the police. but if he is a threat to you like he has a gun or a knife and he's coming at you, you have the right to shoot the intruder. if the intruder is running out the door you can't shoot him either because he's running away from you.
  • In the UK, you are not entitled to shoot unless the intruder is threatening you or other people. You are entirely entitled to protect yourself and your kids. But you are not entitled to assume, without evidence, the someone who has broken into your house - probably after your property - is a danger to you until they actually do something threatening.
  • Depends where you live. You also need to consider the increased chance of getting shot with it, or your kids nicking it one day and getting themselves/someone else hurt. Keep in mind that, if someone breaks into your house, they have the element of surprise on their side. If they break in they almost certainly know if you're in the house or not, which room you're in, etc.
  • Based on the facts in your question, you could be charged with battery or voluntary manslaughter. The exact law varies by state, but what is uniform is that you have the right to use deadly force to repel deadly force. The mere fact that a person is in your home does necessarily create the risk of deadly force being used upon you. What is not uniform is whether or not you have a duty to retreat. Traditionally, all states required a person to retreat if possible before resorting to deadly force. However, many states have pass so called "make my day" laws, which gives homeowners the right to stand their ground. As a practical matter, if you shoot someone in your home, it would be tough for a DA to prove that you did not fear the threat of deadly force, which would justify you shooting the intruder. But this is not always the case.

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