In the USA is it legal to shoot somebody who breaks into your home, even if that person is unarmed?
by 
Brian I
ANSWERS: 15
-
Aye..only if you are threatened and in imminent danger. Not to be confused with shooting them in the back as they take off with your loot.
-
It is not legal to shoot someone in your home if they are there to rob you. If, however, you feel your life is in "imminent danger" or you believe the robber to be armed, you can shoot them. If they live, however, they also have the right to sue you and occasionally they win. Wacky US laws!
-
If someone breaks into my home they will find themselves looking down the barrel of my gun. If they turn and run..fine, I'll just call the cops. If they take one step towards me, I will shoot, legal or not.
-
depends on the state you live in.
-
From what I am aware of Texas is the only state that allows it.
-
In some states, if you fear for your or anyone else's life and an abnormal number of rounds is necessary to halt their advance or violence, you have just cause to kill and not wound. This has been the basis for acquitting shooters who unloaded large capacity magazines into assailants - that the assailant kept coming when a normal number of rounds did not stop them, so the shooter feared for their life sufficiently to continue firing until the magazine was depleted, at which time the perpetrator was found to be very dead, not just wounded. Even so, the shooter will be paying multiple tens of thousands of dollars for legal defense, and be in legal turmoil for several years. Still, it is said that it is better to be judged by twelve than to be carried by six. Never shoot someone who has run outside the building and then drag them back inside to suggest that they were inside when shot - it will always be proven otherwise and you will be charged accordingly.
-
I believe you have to be in fear for you/your family's lives or safety.... I don't think the burglar being arm/unarmed is so much a factor.
-
It is legal in Arizona. The law states that a person is justified in using deadly physical force when someone forcibly and unlawfully enters a home or vehicle and they believe they, or someone else, is in imminent danger of death or serious injury.
-
It depends on the state. In some states (I'm thinking Ohio, but I'm not positive), you, as the homeowner, have to try to leave before resulting to violence. If there is a backdoor, you have to attempt to use it. I know it sounds ridiculous. But, of course, if a guy (or woman) broke into MY apartment, I wouldn't be worried about what was going to happen to me afterward. I'd only worry about what I was going to do TO the guy.
-
I live in Dallas, Texas and it's legal here. In fact, it JUST happened the other day.
-
Yeah, but if they fall and get hurt they can sue you. Wacky world.
-
That person is breaking into your personal property, uninvited and with bad intentions, I'd shoot 'em if they didn't cooperate.
-
Depends on the state and the situation. In some states, it would be illegal, unless the person was handicapped or physically impaired to the point of not being able to defend themselves any other way.
-
IS IT LEAGLE
-
Depends on the state. If you do gun down an intruder, I would highly suggest shooting to kill. Otherwise there is a good chance they could sue you for millions.
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC