[Digex2]

How much criminal liability would you risk by coming out of your home and loading a round into a pump action shotgun to scare off someone trying to steal your car?

[C.R.Sam]

Depends...
on where you are.
Daylight or dark...
and many other factors.

Sam

[Standing Wolf]

In my part of Colorado, it's conceivable I could be charged with a misdemeanor offense of discharging a firearm within X many feet of an occupied dwelling; far from calling the local sheriff's department, however, it's much more likely my neighbors would throw a party in my honor.

I just reread the question. Merely loading a round wouldn't violate any laws, but my neighbors would still throw a party, probably.

[standingbear]

an if the suspect fell on his fearfilled retreat and broke his arm..gotta watch those lamp posts.

[Mike Irwin]

You know, I really don't know the answer to that in Virginia.

[Double Naught Spy]

Doing the dramatic shotgun pump may not cause you too many problems, but using the shotgun may unless you are in one of the blessed states like Texas and the crime is at night.

Of course, going outside and being where the burglars can hear you and then see that the sound they heard is a shotgun means you are out in the open and fairly close and they may opt to just open up on you.

It looks really cool in the movies, but tactically what you propose could be very bad.

[MAKOwner]

I don't know how it would be looked at by the authorities, but it should be perfectly legal to arm yourself and confront thieves trying to steal your car. If they then choose to escalate the encounter and attack you then you ought to be able to shoot them as well. We need some changes to the law to make this so everywhere that it is not. It should be the criminals responsibility to run and hide, not the other way around...

However you shouldn't be able to run out the door blazing away IMO...

[TallPine]

If you bring a gun to a confrontation, you had better also be willing to use it if necessary ....



I agree with MAK

[XLMiguel]

As noted, it depends.

Most states allow open carry on your own property (curtilage), but pointing it at someone may get you charged with assault.

Try NRA.org or your state's website for applicable laws, including citizen's arrest.

[Partisan Ranger]

If some criminal is messing with my vehicle, he will be in my garage, which means he has broken into my home, which means he is dead meat.

I never thought about it, but that's another advantage of having a garage - no legal concerns about shooting someone messing with your vehicle. Far as I know in VA at least, if the guy breaks in your house, you are perfectly within your rights to shoot him.

[cslinger]

Not all states consider the garage as "Part of your home."

Stupid yes.

[Ala Dan]

My friend C.R.Sam is right again!:D

Here in my lil' old neck of the woods, an act like that
would get you a few night's in the "Bessemer Hilton";
better known by all as the "Cross Bar Hotel". Our
newly appointed police chief doesn't think its right
for us civilians to own guns in the first place!:uhoh: :(
Most folk's think they gots to play by his rules?:mad:

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member