I can't believe they did it !

[paulfun9]

You're right and I almost agree with you.
But what about the 13 year old kid running home for supper, across your yard in the dark that you "think" just stole something.?

Why would you shoot the neighbor kid for cutting across your property? Did you catch him stealing something?
This is the problem. People seem to think that because Somone puts no value on a thief’s life that it’s impossible for us to know the difference between caught in the act or somone that’s simply trespassing.
Simply put your scenario doesn’t fit the discussion! We are not blind minded killers looking for an excuse to shoot someone!

One other thing comes to mind. I was always taught to respect other people’s property and not to trespass. Maybe we should expect more of the kids parents.

 

[paulfun9]

Double post

 

[Jstpssng]

This is a great topic and where it gets so "sticky"! I agree 100%, someone stealing something from me may get the baseball bat...who knows what I'd do. But "They only took a bottle of zantac and a phone charger."
Should that thief get the instant death penalty?
Let thief go saying "welcome back anytime".
Break his/her arm?
Risk your life or getting injured?
Risk getting sued?
Great post...no easy answers.

Best comment yet. At least we are having a civil discussion, despite many opposing viewpoints.

 

[kenmac]

someone asked, ''If it's a kid with a knife do you shoot'' ?
Well, I have several friends in law enforcement. They tell me these so called ''kids'' these days will kill you just as quick as an adult.

Make no mistake. I will risk my life keeping the things I have, or being sued. I have SDF insurance for this reason

 

[California]

took a bottle of zantac and a phone charger.

Getting back from the serious to the trivial - Zantac and generic Ranitidine (same thing) are on recall presently. An online pharmacy that tests everything found the same impurity, that caused the recall of an unrelated high blood pressure prescription drug. Something about a solvent used in making all brands of ranatidine remains in the finished product, unexpectedly, and can break down into something cancer-causing. Total recall now across all brands. Find some other antacid!

 

[4get gto]

Why would you shoot the neighbor kid for cutting across your property? Did you catch him stealing something?
This is the problem. People seem to think that because Somone puts no value on a thief’s life that it’s impossible for us to know the difference between caught in the act or somone that’s simply trespassing.
Simply put your scenario doesn’t fit the discussion! We are not blind minded killers looking for an excuse to shoot someone!

One other thing comes to mind. I was always taught to respect other people’s property and not to trespass. Maybe we should expect more of the kids parents.

READ the the quote I was replying to.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Make no mistake...I have empathy and I would be very upset if it happened to me (and it has!). A few things to think about though...law enforcement are not attorneys. I had to look up SDF insurance as I'd never heard of it. Apparently attorneys who will represent you in event you get sued. Least expensive rate $12.50/month or $150/year. SDF insurance is no protection from inappropriate use of deadly force or injury. This is good to read:

A Closer Look At A Big Question: When Can You Legally Shoot Someone In Self-Defense? – Concealed Nation

 

[Jstpssng]

Make no mistake...I have empathy and I would be very upset if it happened to me (and it has!). A few things to think about though...law enforcement are not attorneys. I had to look up SDF insurance as I'd never heard of it. Apparently attorneys who will represent you in event you get sued. Least expensive rate $12.50/month or $150/year. SDF insurance is no protection from inappropriate use of deadly force or injury. This is good to read:

A Closer Look At A Big Question: When Can You Legally Shoot Someone In Self-Defense? – Concealed Nation

Good link. Some of the comments are also worth reading.

 

[PILOON]

As the local 'go to guy' I had keys to many chalets as well as being the alarm call guy for some.
Every fall after thanksgiving the break ins start, some worst than others as some are purely destructive in nature and others are for profit.
With technology as time goes on more and more are alarm protected or camera monitored.
Over the years I have identified and or caught some perps only to discover the judicial system does not help either.
Just too many mere slaps and warnings with no real consequences for their crimes.

I was court ordered as a witness only to be told I was not needed hence $4.00 for my travel expenses and zilch for the lost 1/2 day.
In that case perps were caught red handed with goods and pled guilty for the warning and wrist slap.
As to me had I not obeyed the court order I would have faced possible time or at best a strong fine, (had I been called to testify)

Daughter had over $5k theft/damage on her chalet, another owner had major appliances taken that same W/E. Perps actually used a moving van to transport their shopping list.

I had repeat 'squatters' using my vacant lot next door for fishing and swimming etc.
Sure cured them when I snuck in and deflated 2 of their tires as they fished!

Scariest event was an Aug Sunday noon when I heard break in sounds next door only to discover a crime had been committed. LEO's suggested I was lucky to have missed those bold perps as they were probably armed and VERY bold.

Another time my car was vandalized and then the nightmare started---the fight with the insurance, cheap buggers tried every trick to not pay.
They wanted to depreciate every little item one by one and have me pay for repairs only to later delay settlement.
I threw the keys at them and told them to call when my car was back to normal and proceeded to walk out.
That fixed their clock and they issued a PO for the local dealership to effect required repairs.
Shucks they tried to have me prove that the car radio was actually factory installed and therefore covered.
(was an Audi that always came fully equipped)
You gotta research insurance firms before you sign up as they are not all equal!

As an owner's association we plan on installing a license plate reader at the entrance to our lake as we are a dead end.
Lots of us have game cams and some of which are phoney, but now guess which!
I have a very obvious one c/w warning sign but the real one can't be seen.

 

[Fuddy1952]

True story.
Back in the early 1970s I worked for a burglar alarm company "Night And Day Security". I was the alarm installer, I'm a retired electronic technician.
A customer called one day he had a small engine sales/service business and had several break-ins at night. Since it was in a fairly large open shop we decided to install a motion detector, advanced technology for back then. Basically I hung a section of conduit down from ceiling in middle of room to a cigar sized box on the end, about 8 ft. up so as not to get in way of anything. When movement was detected anywhere it energized a relay which went to a telephone dialer. Dialer you could put in up to three numbers so I* had it dial the police, shop owner and my boss. It had a microphone on it so answering the phone you could hear what was going on. Also it activated a cassette tape player which my boss had recorded* a message on. Cassette player also had a loudspeaker on it.
At 5pm as I was installing the system it was closing time and I finished everything except for the electric key switch. I told shop owner everything will work tonight, just twist these two wires together, I'll be back in morning to install switch.
Next morning I show up and he starts shaking my hand..."we got them" he says. He went on to say about midnight his phone rings and he hears* "This is Night And Day Security. You have been detected and there are six remote controlled pistols aimed at you now. Follow these instructions. Carefully and slowly lay on the floor, hands behind your back. Do not move, the police are on the way".
When the police arrived three guys were laying on the floor, hands on their backs saying "turn it off! Please turn it off!"
He said a back window was broken and they had grabbed a couple chain saws when alarm went off.