No Trespassing...

[Robb71]

If you encountered a trespasser on your property who wanted to argue or wouldn't leave, could you get away with aiming your pistol straight down at the ground & firing, from a distance of say 20 or 30 feet from them? And then if they still don't leave you take a step or two toward them & do it again, & then maybe once more?

You know, warning shots directly into the dirt. (careful, don't shoot your own foot!)

Would this get a land owner in trouble?

No decent attorney, nor anyone knowledgeable about self defense would recommend a warning shot. Could you get away with it? depends on if the trespasser reported it and the county prosecutor didn't like your actions.

There are laws ranging from brandishing a gun to assault depending on your local penal code you could be charged with.

Best course of action if words don't work is getting a LEO involved.

 

[beppington]

You could say, "I'm just letting you know, I'm gonna be doing some shooting all around this area today" & then immediately shoot once directly down into the ground.

Would that be a warning shot? Nah, just a shot.

After all, you're free to shoot on your own land, no?

 

[rustedduck]

Something that has worked for me........

All our property was legally posted some years ago with no tresspassing signs
and purple paint. While this kept most people out, it didnt keep
everyone out.

Two years ago i posted inhalation hazard signs on the access roads.
I put these signs up in the woods about 50 feet past the conventional
no tresspassing signs. Since then i havnt seen any evidence of illegal
entry.

The fact that the property is in gas well country, probably lends
validity to the hazards signs.

These are the same hazard warning signs used by most truckers.
they should be available at most large truck stops.

 

[PILOON]

In tonight's paper I was reading of a case in Alberta whereby a home owner is probably facing jail time.
Some baddies were tossing molotov coctails at his building and he went out (in jammies yet) and fired off a couple of rounds to scare them off.
He was a 'safe' trained marksman who knew how to discharge a firearm safely but is being charged with 'discharging a firearm with intent'
Read this in Toronto Star.

 

[Robb71]

You could say, "I'm just letting you know, I'm gonna be doing some shooting all around this area today" & then immediately shoot once directly down into the ground.

Would that be a warning shot? Nah, just a shot.

After all, you're free to shoot on your own land, no?

Well spend a couple of hundred and run it by an attorney, it will be cheaper than the couple of thousand plus it will cost if it turns out not to be a good idea.

 

[JD955SC]

If you encountered a trespasser on your property who wanted to argue or wouldn't leave, could you get away with aiming your pistol straight down at the ground & firing, while standing a distance of say 20 or 30 feet from them? And then if they still don't leave you take a step or two toward them & do it again, & then maybe once more?

You know, warning shots directly into the dirt. (careful, don't shoot your own foot!)

Would this get a land owner in trouble?

That's generally a Very Bad Idea.

 

[Soundguy]

yep.. using a firearm as leverage would be a very bad idea.

if they argued about leaving I'd call the cops. if they became combative, then I'd draw the gun and see how far they wanted to go with self defense issues.

soundguy

 

[wvpolekat]

Once it clears leather, your intent must be to use it, NOW. No warning shots or crap like that, all that does is give someone the argument that you had time for other options, or give the bad guy the chance to draw and shoot back. If they are a threat, drop em where they stand. Don't try to intimidate them or scare them off. You draw the weapon to defend yourself. If you are not capable of that, you probably shouldn't be carrying the weapon.

As awful as it sounds, dead men tell no tales.

 

[logan97]

I did find some information on top of what I received here. I would like a game camera, not only to see who's out there but to see WHAT is out there! I see deer tracks all the time, and I know there are coyotes out there, with a mix of other wildlife. Problem with the camera is that somebody would probably find it and steal it, too.

As for the signs, I will try to hang them a little higher than reach but keep them clearly visible. At least if they are harder to reach it might help a little bit.

I did not read all the posts so this may be a duplicate.
With a handle like "HighTecTed"
Trespass in VA is a misdemeanor.
You have to contact the offender via registered mail.
Confronting the said offender and verbally telling them they do not have permission to be on your property and to leave immediately.prohibited from entering, " Film the conversation"
tresspass sign every 25 or 50' or paint orange 4 to 6' off the ground every 25 to 50'
wildlife camera Native Outdoors.com get the 8.0 with option of how many pictures per second or video. Get the lockable Bear Box, no flash!!! or indicator light. Bushnell Trophy Cam model 11-9435C
May want to consider a less expensive camera to spot on this one also.
Motion detectors Driveway alarm. Driveway Alarms, driveway sensors, wireless driveway alarms, driveway monitors
this is a reputable company good folk reliable products.
Keep your cell phone and digital camera with you at all times when out in the woods,have the sheriff programmed for speed dial, film and interactions.
Be prepared to be threatened. People do not like cameras in their face.
How serious are you ????
You can post this in the rural living section and read other post on the same topic. Good Luck.

p.s. there are also wireless cameras available now, like a web cam you can watch any action on your home pc.

 

[beppington]

yep.. using a firearm as leverage would be a very bad idea.

if they argued about leaving I'd call the cops. if they became combative, then I'd draw the gun and see how far they wanted to go with self defense issues.

That's not using a firearm as leverage?