I got lucky...

[excalis]

I was in a situation a few nights ago concerning a possible break in to my home and confrontation ensued, I kept my cool througout the ordeal and luckily the person left with only a warning shot fired toward him.

Police officers found the person and everything ended up good. Of course there was that one thing about firing in a residential area, which I knew of (of course) which is to pick my shot and be wary of stray shots, etc that could hurt a neighbor.

I was told that it was possible depending on the findings that I could be in trouble as well, possibly. This disturbed me very much as I was not the one trespassing, I have daughters and a baby that stays with us from time to time. I live in Texas so the laws are there for my protection as well but I was scared knowing that I try to live a good life and stay away from criminal activity and then I am the one that could be in trouble.

I was smart at least in knowing at what point that the threat was no longer there and avoid physical harm to the person. Reason I am writing this is that I saw an articel on Fox News about a thief that was rewarded money for being shot, even though he was committing a crime. There were other mistakes I made on my part that could have led to me being in trouble but I am glad that being calm was what kept me out of it. Also, I am happy to have my Taurus .45 and will be buying a shotgun or revolver soon.

Here is the articel I read: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,...est=latestnews

[Janster]

I'm glad you didn't get hurt or robbed..... But - using your gun in a situation like that for anything other than protecting your LIFE is absolutely unsafe.

You should never shoot off a gun unless you have a 'target'.

Firing off a round to 'scare' the criminal could make things worse. You give your position away (so to speak) and let the criminal know you are armed. Do you really think they care if you're armed? What if there were 3 of them?
You're lucky they didn't run in the house, hunt you down and kill you.

You're far better off hiding or getting out of the house...calling police and let them take whatever material things they want. Afterall, Home owners & rental insurance will replace material things.

If your life is in danger - that's a different story. Use the gun and if you fire off ONE ROUND, make damn sure it hits & kills or else you're the one who'd gonna die.

[JeffRock]

Silly that in America, the criminals have more rights than victims. you did right by me.
But this cuntry is getting ridiculous. You have a right to protect your family, And your home.

[Liam1234]

I live in Mass and the murder a few days ago from a house break-in by 4 teenage boys in Southern NH is disturbing. They broke in and hacked a mother with a machete and knife and slashed the throat of the 11 year old daughter. Husband travels for work.

Think of this, the consequences for you NOT acting and not doing what you did could be far worse then dealing with any issues may have. You did the right thing!!

[Veccster]

I agree with Janster that firing a weapon during a break-in was a bad idea. It would be better to call the police, hide in a corner (with the gun) and hope they leave quickly.

You could even announce loudly that the Police are on their way.


Confronting a criminal with a gun will only encourage them to "match" your threat. Keep the weapon in hand and ready to use it in a life or death situation - but don't fire loose shots into the air. I would NOT be happy if I was your neighbor.

[Veccster]

Originally Posted by Liam1234

I live in Mass and the murder a few days ago from a house break-in by 4 teenage boys in Southern NH is disturbing. They broke in and hacked a mother with a machete and knife and slashed the throat of the 11 year old daughter. Husband travels for work.

Think of this, the consequences for you NOT acting and not doing what you did could be far worse then dealing with any issues may have. You did the right thing!!

That is disturbing.

http://www.wmur.com/news/21213678/detail.html

I pray that the little girl survives. I hope these 4 criminals are hung while the father and husband watches. He should be allowed to pull the lever to hang them.

[hillbillynwv]

Was the shot fired in the house or outside? If it were in the house, I would had shot to kill instead of a warning shot.

[Afwrestler1986]

I know for a fact that you can't reward money to a dead guy, nor can they sue you. He was on your property, regardless of what he was doing there you had the right to shoot him. The law is on your side. Better to be judged by 12 than carried by six. Or even worse to watch carry your loved ones. I would have shot him. Don't ever want to shoot anyone, but will if put into the situation. Shoot to kill, because they won't afford you that courtesy. If you shoot at them and they think you missed they will most deffinetly take the opportunity to end you. Remember that.

[neontrail]

Originally Posted by hillbillynwv

Was the shot fired in the house or outside? If it were in the house, I would had shot to kill instead of a warning shot.

x2

If they are dead, they cant talk

[NraFan]

Never fire a warning shot. Either secure your location and call the police, or identify yourself as having a weapon and be prepared to use it. There is too much of a risk at randomly firing a shot, and in most cases, will only get you in trouble. Depending on where you live, the laws probably state that unless your life is in immediate danger, you cannot use your weapon. Shooting an unarmed man thats looking in your window will most likely get you thrown in prison. Be prepared, but only take action if your life, or the life of your family is in danger. I agree with most here, I would love nothing more than for every criminal to get what they deserve, but I wouldnt want to turn myself into a criminal in doing so. What if some poor handicapped kid was lost and looking for his house and you killed him for it. Most times the bad guy will run away. Everyone has the right to defend themselves and their family, but do it the right way. Be prepared to use your weapon but hope you never have to.

[excalis]

I only fired the shot after he turned his back to me, I did not want to shoot someone in the back. I knew by that time he was unarmed and the police were on their way.

I did not fire the shot randomly, I meant to hit his vehicle and that is what I hit. But beileve me, the last thing I would want to have been doing that night is having someone confront me on my property. There were mistakes made but it could have been worse.

I was still able to think clearly and was aware of my neighbors, clearly I would not want to endanger anyone. That is another reason I didn't just start blasting like a gangsta and picked my shot instead. He was a few seconds from being shot until he turned.

He had just said to me that he would "catch me later" and that was the final decision maker for me before he turned. Neighbors could possibly have an issue with that, I understand I probably would also. But, my family is safe, and I can deal with that.

All I wanted to do that night was play World of Warcraft not have some punk gangsta confront me on my property. I have a great job and life and beileve me, all these things ran through my head. I do have to worry that he could possibly retaliate, but I am glad it turned out how it did. No one was hurt and it turned out that this person knew my daughter and was there due to her. It would have been sad if he had been shot because he decided to make a mistake in his decision making instead of just letting me know what was happening.

She got an earful by the police and myself. I really do not know what can happen by me posting this here, as far as I know this is over but I just need to feel like things are ok. When I sat down and let it sink in, it really made me feel horrible knowing what could have happend both ways. I was not scared to shoot but I was in being liable for someone else getting hurt (neighbors). Beileve me guys, I have thought about it all, I am not happy to even have had to deal with this situation. If you knew me in person you would realize that it was the furtherest thing from my mind.

[carmellocafe]

This is a very controversial subject, and because it has repeated itself over and over all over our country, we should all know the consequences of the law and the difference between protecting ourselves or setting ourselves up for legal penalties. I think the laws serve well for everyones' safety. It sucks that there are so many stories like this where the homeowner ends up feeling like the criminal in the end. I also give you props for keeping your cool man. Many people would have taken it much further.

[excalis]

Thanks Carm, I will be taking a class for my concealed handgun license, I have read and been told that you could learn alot more about the laws, etc. Even though I have read and talked about this type of thing with friends who know the law, I feel I need to be more informed.

[GEARAHOLIC]

Originally Posted by excalis

I only fired the shot after he turned his back to me, I did not want to shoot someone in the back. I knew by that time he was unarmed and the police were on their way.

wait...what! I know the laws are diffrent in texas with the castle doctrine and such...but WTF?

NEVER FIRE A WARNING SHOT.

NEVER PUT YOUR FINGER ON THE TRIGGER UNTILL YOU HAVE MADE A CONCSIOUS DECISION TO KILL/DESTROY

SHOOT TO KILL & STAY ALIVE-NOTHING ELSE!

why on earth would you fire a weapon when the suspected burglar is leaving, with his back turned and you know he is unarmed?

I dont wonder anymore why the right to bear arms is getting erased from the constitution

[excalis]

I did say mistakes were made, and I will be taking a class and learning more about the law. Sure I could have shot him, but would I be in jail now instead of typing this? As for the constitution deal, I don't know what to say about that really, this kind of thing makes that happen? If the police officer who shot that thief robbing the church fired a warning shot instead would that have saved some money and grief?

[testedone]

Originally Posted by Janster

You should never shoot off a gun unless you have a 'target'.

Firing off a round to 'scare' the criminal could make things worse. You give your position away (so to speak) and let the criminal know you are armed.

Agreed, never give your position away…

Originally Posted by Janster

You're far better off hiding or getting out of the house...calling police and let them take whatever material things they want. After all, Home owners & rental insurance will replace material things.

Now that’s a load of crap…I will defend my home, and never run….

[GEARAHOLIC]

no...... I was not advocating shooting the guy! Obviously you jumped to conclusions that this guy was a burgular...and it reality was at your house to see your daughter... you "jumped the gun"!! Unfourtunelty, its gun owners like you that are way to quick to pull a weapon than to make rational choices that in the end negitivley effect everyone. To awnser your question: Absolutley situations like this cause more gun controll because some gun owners make poor decisions that reflect onto all gun owners, then before you know it ammunition costs an arm and a leg if you can even find it. Here in California I cant have a clip bigger than 10 rounds...I cant go out and buy an AR-15...

[ligero18]

Originally Posted by Veccster

I agree with Janster that firing a weapon during a break-in was a bad idea. It would be better to call the police, hide in a corner (with the gun) and hope they leave quickly.

You could even announce loudly that the Police are on their way.


Confronting a criminal with a gun will only encourage them to "match" your threat. Keep the weapon in hand and ready to use it in a life or death situation - but don't fire loose shots into the air. I would NOT be happy if I was your neighbor.

F that! If he/she is robbing me they are asking for the confrontation. I'm not waiting for cops who will f up and not catch them

[Janster]

Originally Posted by testedone

[size=3]

Now that’s a load of crap…I will defend my home, and never run….

Ok....sooo.... you see a criminal taking your HDTV and you decide to point the gun at the criminal and maybe you take a shot but he's only injured. Criminal shoots you right in the heart.

All for an HDTV?

You're wife will be proud of you when she visits your grave

[testedone]

Originally Posted by Janster

Ok....sooo.... you see a criminal taking your HDTV and you decide to point the gun at the criminal and maybe you take a shot but he's only injured. Criminal shoots you right in the heart.

All for an HDTV?

You're wife will be proud of you when she visits your grave

yes she would be, my role as a husband and a father is to defend my family, my property and my life.

You give a straw man argument, guy walks in and has my HDTV in his hands...straw man....

Ever been in conflict with a weapon?? Ever had someone break in your house?? Ever been confronted on the street by an armed person...

I have, BTDT...hide your head in the ground like a ostrich if you want, all you do is show the criminals that THEY have the power....

Fight back is my motto...

nuff said from me