I live in a bad neighborhood & my neighbors on both side of me have been broken into, but not my house. I think that the sticker on the door has a lot top do with it.
Should you announce that you are armed?
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I live in a bad neighborhood & my neighbors on both side of me have been broken into, but not my house. I think that the sticker on the door has a lot top do with it.
theotherwaldo
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I believe that the answer to this question is dependent on both the location and the situation.
Here in Texas, if someone comes through my gate and shows signs of evil intent then they have lost most legal defenses over whatever happens next.
Likewise, if someone walks out in front of my vehicle and starts to draw a firearm then I have no reason to tell that person that I am armed, nor do I need to call 911 before proceeding to do what I must.
This may not be true in other parts of our great country... .
Here in Texas, if someone comes through my gate and shows signs of evil intent then they have lost most legal defenses over whatever happens next.
Likewise, if someone walks out in front of my vehicle and starts to draw a firearm then I have no reason to tell that person that I am armed, nor do I need to call 911 before proceeding to do what I must.
This may not be true in other parts of our great country... .
GBExpat
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I would never knowingly give up an advantage such as my location and/or "condition" in an encounter with an intruder inside my home.
As soon as one of my alarm systems trips, it will be noisy around here in addition to the 15 exterior floodlights and several key interior "core" lights blinking. In such an eventuality my current default plan (What Ifs? aside) is to be hunkered down on the floor in my bedroom doorframe at the end on the dark hallway facing the brightly-lit core with a firearm while dialing 911 for assistance and keeping an eye on my bedroom alarm system annunciator panel (to track any movement via PIR sensors).
My sincere hope is that the lights & noise will quickly convince the miscreant(s) that they have made a poor choice of target and decide to exit my home and area.
earplug
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No.
Generally, no, I would not verbally announce that I am armed. Depending upon the circumstances, I may well tell the intruders to “back off,” and/or “get out.” I may well state that I have called the police.
Depending upon the circumstances, I might decide to keep my presence concealed, unless/until it becomes absolutely necessary to do otherwise. (To be clear, I absolutely do believe in responding, verbally, to a knock at the door, while, of course, keeping the door locked. Many burglars, who do not wish to encounter a homeowner, will first knock, so, pretending to not be at home can encourage that type of burglar.)
Depending upon the circumstances, I might decide to keep my presence concealed, unless/until it becomes absolutely necessary to do otherwise. (To be clear, I absolutely do believe in responding, verbally, to a knock at the door, while, of course, keeping the door locked. Many burglars, who do not wish to encounter a homeowner, will first knock, so, pretending to not be at home can encourage that type of burglar.)
jmorris
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Than what? Dead chickens? I don’t raise them to feed the animal world and my “human consumption only” sign is ineffective at saving their lives.
That’s stuff outside my house and not a direct threat to me. The rules change drastically once you have broken into my house and not in the intruders favor.
Why, if your life is on the line, would you give away ANY advantage? Because of legal hassle IF you don’t die? That’s a weak argument, unless you value your life and loved ones less than I do.
What kind of advice do you give children? Do you tell them to go up to the stranger and ask their intentions if they break in or go and hide? Why?
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I wouldn't. Should the perp leave on his own, very significant advantage accrues to me. Should he chose otherwise, I will stop him.
I cannot shoot him until I can see him. His advancing into view after having been warned would indicate a likely outcome, but not the final one.
There is a whole lot more to shooting someone than a "legal hassle"
And I do no intend to die--I will shoot if I have to.
Blkhrt13
Member
Lol, this the type of thread that the response will show up in court if they got good lawyers. Let me just say that I will Pray for them fervently. Audibly. Only after I have made a proper assessment. That is that.
What is it that you are trying to say?
Blkhrt13
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Lol break in my house and I’m a pray for you. And if you get violent with me in my house you will meet Jesus, personally.
crestoncowboy
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I always wondered why, in every TV show, the FBI or NCIS or SWAT always announce who they are before they get close enough to catch the guy if he runs. They get within 100 yards and announce it. Then the bad guy runs. Half the time into traffic and gets killed and half the time getting away.
I've thought maybe its a legal thing, like maybe announcing you are armed, but then I think nah its just stupid TV. My wife has even noticed it and asked me.
I've thought maybe its a legal thing, like maybe announcing you are armed, but then I think nah its just stupid TV. My wife has even noticed it and asked me.
Sour Kraut
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Yeah, they announce so far from the perp, I’m surprised the perp can even hear them….just silly……
crestoncowboy
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I figure it is too. Maybe we are missing some entrapment law or something. I know in my state if a Trooper wasn't wearing his full uniform (think hat) a ticket could be contested. My wife's uncle is a Trooper and confirmed that one. Also if they have a speed trap their headlights must be on.
Usually there are two officers and they both walk up to the bad guy too. Lol. Instead of maybe boxing them in
Because it’s what the script tells the actors to do. It’s a dramatic thing just like chambering a round before you go in the room with the bad guy.
Any similarity to actual laws or tactics in a movie or tv is purely coincidental.
Double Naught Spy
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Sometimes, the last resort needs to be the first resort. Many people seem to forget this.
We all like to presume things, like that we have our heads on swivels and that we will be able to see any and every potentially bad situation as it develops and therefore be able to take each and every correct action in a timely manner before anything goes wrong. And yet, it almost never works out like that. Things often go from bliss to 'oh crap' in a heartbeat. One moment, you are watching your favorite ball game on TV and the next moment 4 guys from a home invasion crew are coming through your door/window like a SWAT team. One moment you are eating lunch in Luby's and the next moment somebody has driven through the front windows, gets out, and starts shooting.
jmorris
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It might be more useful to wonder why Police continued to increase use of “no knock” warrants for decades, while they were in direct conflict with “stand your ground”/castle doctrine laws…
crestoncowboy
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In all my years of watching those shows, or at least reading while the shows were on, I never once saw a no knock warrant. Usually they knock until they actually hear the bad guy go out the window. Then they pull and load their gun in their street clothes while the swat guys in full gear stand behind them.
In my little county I doubt there have been any. Everyone here is fully expected to have a gun on hand. And everyone here is in the middle of nowhere and any vehicles or commotion is usually pretty alarming. A typical police response is going to be 45 minutes on a good day.
But yeah the whole no knock warrant thing is very disturbing.
Blkhrt13
Member
This, this right here.
The question posed by the OP was "should you announce that you are armed?".
Hangingrock
Member
We simply don't look prosperous and one of our vehicles has a state issued Vietnam Veteran license plate if that's not enough of a turn off, we will tell them that we are armed. Hopefully an intrusion will not occur. Simply put we live a lifestyle of avoidances in regard to stupid people, places and things.
Blkhrt13
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My answer is absolutely not. But you will know me by the last rites.
Kevin Rohrer
Member
There is so much wrong here it would take me far too long to correct you.
Live as you choose but don't expect the rest of us to kowtow to criminals.
BIG difference.
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