I agree, I know in my state you cannot protect personal property with deadly force, and if you do point it at them and they do not have a gun then they can charge you with assault w/deadly weapon. Ballbat to the knee caps is a different story.

 

Gotta add,

If I do hear my alarm go off in the middle of the night, I will be taking my Glock out with me.
I don't know if they are armed or not.

I won't be pointing it at them unless they do something to warrant it though.

I will have the cell phone in the other hand to call 911 if the alarm is going off due to persons unknown entering the vehicle uninvited.


phox

 

I'd consider installing video cameras. Sams sells a geed set for just a couple hundered dollars. Catch them on film.

 

That would get old fast.
Getting up every 15 minutes to change the film cannister in each camera.



Best to catch them on Video, or Video File.


phox

 

One of those hunting cameras that take a picture when they sense motion would work.

 

Of course. IF I were to go outside to confront someone then you can bet I would be prepared, but in my opinion it's still better to let a common thief get away with your stuff than to shoot him. That's just me though.

If you yell at them or somehow let them know that you're aware of their presence then I would venture to say that 97% of the time they will run away. It's the 3% that don't that you REALLY have to be cautious with.

 

I live out in the country nearest town with a cop is 15 miles so i don't dial 911
But i do have a little firearm hobby. The lay out of the roads/land around here is in square miles and i am the only house on the mile and in the center. One evening just before dark my wife and i are installing the windows in the new addition on the back of the house and i see this car comming from the west the headlights go out then the parking lights go out and it stops at the driveway that goes to my pole barn which is 300 yards from my house. Well i always leave a vehicle blocking the drive to keep pests out. I see the dome light come on while the driver sits with the engine running the other one proceeds over to my car in the drive and starts yanking on the door trying to get in. They are west of me so i light off 2 rounds of 357 mag hand loaded with h-110 into my woods to the southwest and boy did that make things move fast The guy on foot hauls it back towards the car while driver almost leaves without him!
Meanwhile i run to my 74 power wagon parked in the drive that we just unloaded the windows from the tailgate is down with some lumber still in the bed. The keys are in it off i go forgot about the lumber the truck it has 3.91 gears a built auto and a 360 with a sixpack on it so i left the lumber on the ground before i got out of the drive way and caught up to them within a mile got the plate # and the funny thing is i have never seen that car since been 10 years now.
So if you are out in the country and they come back maybe a little (thunder) will cure the problem but like others have said with todays laws you cannot run up with a gun and point it at them. If however you are in a building and they happen have a weapon and you are concerned for your safety all bets are off for them.

I hope for you they are not stupid enough to come back. Good luck

 

If I saw someone breaking into my truck I think I would go 'riodal on them, I have a bad temper and they would DEFFINATELY catch the worst end of it. On a serious note there isn't much you will be able to do most likely unless you go and bribe someone who might know them. That doesn't work most the time though, you would be surprised at the stuff people "forget". IMO

 

I'd shoot them in the knee or foot so that he could live to tell all his buddy's not to mess with you

 

I have nothing in my truck that's worth me losing my freedom by pulling a gun on them, or taking someone's life over.
That's NOT saying I'll just sit there and watch them if I catch them.....

And if they try to come into my house..........whole 'nudder subject.

In most areas, that action would just ensure that what used to be YOUR possesions, house and vehicle, would now belong to the bad guy after the courts get finished with you.

 

An ol boy in Baytown is fixing to find out what happens when you kill a property thief as they are driving away in a pick up truck.

This, kids, is what NOT to do.

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?se...cal&id=5134548

 

I'm not saying I would do it, but after my truck got keyed the officer told me that if I were to catch the guy in the act "the only thing I have to do is leave them something to take to jail". This was said after one of my friends mentioned his shot gun.

That surprised me. Especially after hearing all these stupid stories about how a thief could get injured robbing your house and sue you.

Maybe its different in other areas, though.

 

Two words: "PET RATTLESNAKE"


Gary

 

Hope that doesn't come back to bite you! PUN IN-TENDED!

 

Screw That!!!!

Do a search for "trunk monkey"...that's what you need


On a serious note...I really can't say what I'd do, but if they break in to ANYTHING at our house, you can bet those bean bag rounds I loaded up will get used! Yes they are just "things," but they are things that my family has worked hard for, and we intend to hang onto them

Chris