To use your language, entering without force, implies you left the front door open. The simple act of turning a door knob and opening the door is considered to be entering with force, so the only remaining question is the word "unlawfully".baldeagle wrote:A stranger in your house is not necessarily a threat. It takes action to create a threat. The mere action of entering your house without force does not constitute a threat. It could be a drunk neighbor. It could be someone who was being pursued and ran into your house to find safety.
Of course, we know that entering unlawfully and with force is presumed to be reasonable.
That said, there are certainly circumstances where I may be legally justified in using deadly force, but choosing not to do so would be a wiser choice.PC §9.32.(b) The actor’s belief under Subsection (a)(2) that the deadly force was immediately necessary as described by that subdivision is presumed to be reasonable if the actor:
(1) knew or had reason to believe that the person against whom the deadly force was used:
(A) unlawfully and with force entered, or was attempting to enter unlawfully and with force, the actor’s occupied habitation, vehicle, or place of business or employment;