Shot in home.

[dicion]

Ok, I'll throw this twist into the mix...

Someone enters my home thru an unlocked door or window or some other access...

I observe this, (and determine it to be an unlawful entry) and instruct them to leave, and they do not comply...

At this point they have made no threatening move or action against me, I see no weapon either...They have also not attempted to obtain any personal property of mine as well...

Obviously, the next move is theirs...I am obviously prepared to deal with whatever they eventually do...

If I observed some stranger entering my home unlawfully through a window or a door (seriously, if they come in through a window, there will be no kid gloves), locked or unlocked, during daylight, it's getting un-holstered at the least, and if they don't immediately do what I tell them, possibly pointed at them. I don't care if they're drunk, confused, mentally unstable, or mentally handicapped.

If they follow my instructions which I will be yelling loudly at them to put their hands behind their head, and get on the floor, then they won't get shot, and the police can come and deal with them.
If it's found that they entered my home over legitimate confusion, or due to a mental issue of which they had no control, then I will not press charges.

If at any time during the above, they make what I determine to be a threatening move towards myself, or a possible grab at a weapon... well, I think we know what will happen then.

At night, sorry, but If I can't tell if they're carrying a weapon or not, I have to assume they are.

Also, this is why my doors are locked when I am home in addition to when I am not. There is no mistaking someone unintentionally entering.

[Stupid]

Ok, I'll throw this twist into the mix...

Someone enters my home thru an unlocked door or window or some other access...

I observe this, (and determine it to be an unlawful entry) and instruct them to leave, and they do not comply...

At this point they have made no threatening move or action against me, I see no weapon either...They have also not attempted to obtain any personal property of mine as well...

Obviously, the next move is theirs...I am obviously prepared to deal with whatever they eventually do...

If I observed some stranger entering my home unlawfully through a window or a door (seriously, if they come in through a window, there will be no kid gloves), locked or unlocked, during daylight, it's getting un-holstered at the least, and if they don't immediately do what I tell them, possibly pointed at them. I don't care if they're drunk, confused, mentally unstable, or mentally handicapped.

If they follow my instructions which I will be yelling loudly at them to put their hands behind their head, and get on the floor, then they won't get shot, and the police can come and deal with them.
If it's found that they entered my home over legitimate confusion, or due to a mental issue of which they had no control, then I will not press charges.

If at any time during the above, they make what I determine to be a threatening move towards myself, or a possible grab at a weapon... well, I think we know what will happen then.

At night, sorry, but If I can't tell if they're carrying a weapon or not, I have to assume they are.

Also, this is why my doors are locked when I am home in addition to when I am not. There is no mistaking someone unintentionally entering.

I feel you both make a lot of assumptions. Criminals are not afraid of guns but they fear resolute people with guns. Your determination to use force can only be conveyed via body language etc. In more than one case, criminals sensed the homeowners would not shoot or used smile to disguise their moves; they ended up turning the tide.

Either way, I feel keeping a distance is a must and a decent cover is a must. Confrontation should be done where it is not possible for the person to make a run towards me. In most room distance, if the bad guy decides to make a run, you are pretty much certain to get hurt one way or another.

[Purplehood]

I was under the impression that a "No Trespassing" sign being posted does not give the property owner the right to shoot a violator (in and of itself only). Is that a fiction?

[Beiruty]

If I wake up in the middle of the night and I discovered someone has already broken or on the verge of doing so and he in in the middle of my house. In 15 sec, I would be calling 911 and ask for paramedics and Police assistance in removing an unwanted "dead body" from my living room. If I was mistaken and the unwelcomed midnight visitor survived the incident, then, he is was lucky!


This is TX!

[Venus Pax]

I keep my doors locked unless we're doing work in the front yard or checking the mail. If someone enters my home without my invitation, I want there to be a lot of noise (so that I can prepare myself) and a lot of evidence (for the police to photograph/collect).

I also don't want there to be any ambiguity, such as a case with an intoxicated or mentally incompetent person. If the doors are locked, simply turning a knob or pressing a lever simply won't work.

I also keep my gates locked to the backyard for this reason; however, I'm still curious as to whether or not entering a gated backyard is justification for deadly force. Waiting on the lawyers to chime in on this one.

[dac1842]

BB gun vs Real gun.. when will they ever learn.

[allinhtown]

I would like to know the teens adress and send him a little letter of comfort. Let him know that even though we are a rare breed nowindays there still are good people.

"He's a really good friend for everybody. He's nice. He's generous. It's kind of depressing because he's a real good kid.

What I think is going to bug and bother him the most is

Roberts said the intruder's weapon turned out to be a BB gun

all those maybe's are going to flutter in his head.

true... but bb guns hurt too... i dont think it matters if an intruder is armed or not, but just as long as they have the intent to rob/harm/rape/etc... id shoot an intruder in my house whether he's armed or not... right or wrong?

[nils]

God, do I love the great state of Texas, and it's kick-butt citizens!!!!! Don't mess with Texas criminals...maybe if we kill enough of them, they'll get the message....maybe

[USA1]

God, do I love the great state of Texas, and it's kick-butt citizens!!!!! Don't mess with Texas criminals...maybe if we kill enough of them, they'll get the message....maybe

You got that right !!
if i were a burglar , i would move to a state that has strict gun control.

[Dexdahex]

God, do I love the great state of Texas, and it's kick-butt citizens!!!!! Don't mess with Texas criminals...maybe if we kill enough of them, they'll get the message....maybe

You got that right !!
if i were a burglar , i would move to a state that has strict gun control.

[joe817]

if i were a burglar , i would move to a state that has strict gun control.

I hear Illinois or New York is lovely at this time of year.

[USA1]

if i were a burglar , i would move to a state that has strict gun control.

I hear Illinois or New York is lovely at this time of year.

just a thought , if all the bad guys move out of Texas , we won't need to carry any more

on second thought...never mind ...new ones are born every day

[joe817]

if i were a burglar , i would move to a state that has strict gun control.

I hear Illinois or New York is lovely at this time of year.

just a thought , if all the bad guys move out of Texas , we won't need to carry any more

on second thought...never mind ...new ones are born every day

I think there will be plenty enough to go around for all of us. And good afternoon!

[Sheree]

So glad that kid had been taught how to use a firearm and exercised good judgment as to when. I hope he does not torture himself with guilt because the intruder only had a bb gun. The guy might have still overpowered and killed the kid with his bare hands. If someone is intentionally making you believe they will harm you, you have to react accordingly.
I can see why most who post on here state they would shoot an intruder in their home just for being there but it is possible to be in the wrong house when you are drunk and think you are at the right house. It happened at my house when I was just a little kid. Dad was gone at the time, it was very late and she had four young children to defend. Thankfully, my mom didn't shoot the guy. She came really close, and knowing her ability with a gun, I doubt he would have lived to make the same mistake ever again. Of course the look in her eye and her quiet promise to shoot him between the eyes did sort of sober him up a bit. Mom was cool that way...all sweet and kind, but lethal with her aim. Texas women rock.