Burglar Shot Dead

[prodigal punk]

To answers PP's question, although it's apparent he didn't read the whole thread.

1. Make sure you know what you're shooting at. Don't shoot at a noise, shadow, etc. I think it's pretty obvious (most of the time) if it's a robber or your kid.

2. If someone enters your home, why wait for their intent? Why do you have to warn them that you're armed? They are in your ****ing home. Who knows if they are there to kill you, steal from you, rape you or your family, or kidnap you. You have every right to shoot them imo. Again, going back to what I've said time and time again, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO GET SHOT, DON'T GO INTO SOMEONE'S HOUSE LOOKING TO DO **** YOU SHOULDN'T. It's really that simple. It's like saying if you play with fire, you're gonna get burn. What else would you expect, a handshake?

I said right off the bat I read everything up until the 4 of you had your little cat fight.

To reply: If you have time to figure out that its indeed an intruder, you have time to warn that you're armed and you will shoot. If he reaches for a weapon, pop around off center mass, just like the guy in the article said.

 

[Archie Moses]

How am I anti-gun? I'm not going to buy one. I've fired them, several times. They're fun. But I don't think it's necessary for me to own one for my protection, and I've never criticized anybody's right to own a gun.

Would you own a gun if you lived in EPA or Compton or Harlem or DC or the projects of Chicago or West Valley or Kearns?

 

[unluckyseventeen]

Are you not doing the same thing? Why are we dumb because our opinion differs? I believe (no i don't have stats but neither do you) that IF someone is breaking into my house it is more likely that it is not an accident.

Just because you've heard of somethings more than others IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE/FRIENDS etc.doesn't make it representative of reality. You really think that its more likely when homes are invaded that it's an accident?

There needs to be a perfect storm of sorts for type of thing you're worried about to happen.

1. Dumb college kid. Fairly easy to find.
2. Dumb college kid drinks.
3. Dumb college kid drinks himself retarded.
4. Dumb drunk college kid can't find his own damn house or a friend's.
5. Dumb drunk college kid can't open what he thinks is his own door.
6. Dumb drunk college kid decides best course of action is to break in.
7. Homeowner is home.
8. Homeowner wakes up.
9. Homeowner has a gun.
10. Homeowner decides to retrieve gun.
11. Homeowner can't tell who the intruder is.
12. Homeowner perceives intruder as a threat.
13. Homeowner decides best course of action is deadly force.
14. Homeowner pulls trigger.
15. Homeowner hits intruder.
16. Homeowner fatally wounds intruder.

Probably several other steps if i really wanted to waste even more time. That chain can be broken in so many ways. That's why it doesn't happen very often. What happens a LOT more is someone breaking in on purpose with bad intentions. Again, I guess I have no stats for this, just gut feeling.

It's true that it's quite a string, and neither of us have real data. But what I hear around me and what I experience is my reality. Everyone is going to perceive it differently, so I don't think that I'm wrong to jump to the conclusions that I have been based upon what I've seen, heard and experienced in my community.

 

[One Brow]

Again, I guess I have no stats for this, just gut feeling.

Gut feeling fueled by the media. Homicidal burglars get big ratings, stupid homeowners get smaller ratings.

 

[Archie Moses]

To reply: If you have time to figure out that its indeed an intruder, you have time to warn that you're armed and you will shoot. If he reaches for a weapon, pop around off center mass, just like the guy in the article said.

Why give up an advantage if you see the intruder and he doesn't see you? That's not very tactical. Eliminate the threat right away.

 

[TheDude]

Oh please... you said something like, "behind resonable coverage". So what is reasonable coverage for confronting a burglar, while keeping them in your site?

You don't think that someone can get a door open without having a gun in hand?

And if you actually read the thread, you would see that I, in fact, said how important it was to be a responsible gun owner by spending time at the range and being effective with your weapon. So, thanks for making my point....

 

[prodigal punk]

Why give up an advantage if you see the intruder and he doesn't see you? That's not very tactical. Eliminate the threat right away.

You don't. I thought I made that point clear. Here, I'll say it again:

If you make the warning and have your weapon trained, you will be able to get the first round off before he reaches for anything.

 

[One Brow]

With that said, can you not understand how someone could be so scared someone is trying to break into their house that they fire a gun to protect their house, family, and self?

Sure. that's what everyone should be trying to avoid. Firing simply because you are scared is a great way to have a tragedy.

Also, is there a difference if they are already in the home or if they are trying to break in? In this case, the kid removed a screen or something and was trying to enter.

Yes, there's a difference. When they are still outside the home, running is always the easiest option for them, they can see their escape routes. Only the truly crazy keep going. Even then, they can't rush you, because the door is still closed.

 

[One Brow]

Aren't you supposed to fire a gun with both hands? Honest question, I don't know.

Many of them, probably. If you have both, you can still choose which one to use at that time.

 

[Archie Moses]

You don't. I thought I made that point clear. Here, I'll say it again:

Actually you did.

2. Why the **** could you not position yourself behind some sort of cover, flip a flash light on the intruder, and tell him your armed?

By both turning on a light and telling them you're armed, you're giving away your position. Also, what would be good cover in a house? A wall, a couch, or what? I'm pretty sure you could shoot the beep out of those things to hit what you want.

 

[One Brow]

Would you own a gun if you lived in EPA or Compton or Harlem or DC or the projects of Chicago or West Valley or Kearns?

My parents never did, even after their friend was shot while helping Mom, just outside our fence. If you are that afraid of living there, don't.

 

[Scat]

can you not understand how someone could be so scared someone is trying to break into their house that they fire a gun to protect their house, family, and self?

This is probably the most important point that everyone here is glossing over. Everyone here likes to think they'd stay cool and level headed and think everything through but when **** starts to hit the fan instinct takes over and sometimes you simply do what you feel needs to be done whether it is out of fear, adrenaline, hatred, machismo, etc. Your rational self checks out.