Ok...I am a believer.....

[deerhunter61]

Last night my truck was broken into....2nd time in my neighborhood and third time overall. The first time it was just a couple of kids who stole a camera I had left in it...forgot to lock the doors. The 2nd time it was broken into was at a hotel a few months ago. They pryed out the window and left most of the mess on the outside of the truck. They stole my stereo and my treo then. This time it was parked in front of my house and they stole again my treo and my stereo along with smashing in my window leaving most of the glass and mess inside my truck.

This was the fourth "incident" that was reported last night in this police officers beat. While he was taking the report he also said there had been 6 home invasions here over the last week where the BGs broke down the door after ringing the doorbell and not getting any response.

I asked him if I could justifiably shoot these people and he told me only if it occurs at night...and he went on to tell me the only way this is going to stop...I have the Assistant Chief of Police living across the street from me and the officer asked him to leave before he told me this....is if home owners start shooting these people. He told me even if they catch the BGs who did this they will be on the street in 48 hours max and would only get a slap on the wrist.

Enough is enough. I am going to get my CCL now. I am tired of being taken advantage of. The cost of these breakins once I get all of this repaired is going to run over $2k. I am tired of working so hard for other people to take it away from me. And knowing that even if they do get caught they are not even going to serve much if any time...this does not work for me!

 

[Vermont]

I personally wouldn't shoot someone over property whether state law allows it or not. But the point of this post is to tell you that you probably shouldn't trust someone who tells you this:

I asked him if I could justifiably shoot these people and he told me only if it occurs at night

I can't imagine that the time of day determines whether a shooting is justified or not in any state in the country. Make sure you know your state laws.

 

[RancidSumo]

Sounds like poor advice.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

How is your CCL going to stop you from leaving valuables in your truck?

 

[Blofeld]

+1 on the CCL. I heartily reccomend training and some research on your own regarding your states laws on matters of good shoot/ bad shoot. And understand that an LEO may not be the best source of information regarding that issue. While they enforce law, they are not lawyers.

 

[NG VI]

I don't think he is going to stop leaving his truck stereo in his truck no matter how often it gets stolen, the inconvenience would be horrific. The treo on the other hand...

 

[Kind of Blued]

Just make sure you are arming yourself for the right reason. I say this because you have a strong "take the law into your own hands" air to your post. Be careful.

Paying $2,000 to replace stolen valuables is nothing in comparison to court costs and the hell that will become your life if you shoot someone, even if it is legal self-defense.

Get the permit. Carry at all times. Pray you never have to use it. Only do so if your only other chance is death.

Know the laws, get some training, and avoid confrontation. This means stop leaving valuables in your vehicle, although I understand the stereo issue. This also means that it might not be a bad idea to get the heck out of dodge and move to the 'burbs if this is a viable option.

That's my advice.

 

[scndactive]

I don't know where you live, but in Texas, thats good advice.

§ 9.42. DEADLY FORCE TO PROTECT PROPERTY. A person is
justified in using deadly force against another to protect land or
tangible, movable property:
(1) if he would be justified in using force against the
other under Section 9.41; and
(2) when and to the degree he reasonably believes the
deadly force is immediately necessary:
(A) to prevent the other's imminent commission of
arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during the
nighttime, or criminal mischief during the nighttime; or
(B) to prevent the other who is fleeing
immediately after committing burglary, robbery, aggravated
robbery, or theft during the nighttime from escaping with the
property; and
(3) he reasonably believes that:
(A) the land or property cannot be protected or
recovered by any other means; or
(B) the use of force other than deadly force to
protect or recover the land or property would expose the actor or
another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.

 

[3KillerBs]

Another vote for knowing the law thoroughly.

Additionally, consider moving if at all feasible. There are few things worth the danger of living in a neighborhood where theft and home invasion are everyday occurrences if its possible to live somewhere else instead.

 

[Picard]

You're on THR and you still don't have a CCW? It shouldn't have taken an incident for you to learn why you should carry the right tools.

 

[The Annoyed Man]

...and that is good advice. Do you really want to kill someone over a Treo that you keep leaving in your truck or a car stereo? Because you can't "shoot to wound." If you shoot someone, it encompasses the strong possibility that you will kill them.

By all means get your license. By all means carry all the time. By all means gain a degree of perspective on the value of human life versus the value of small items of property. You shoot someone because your life is threatened, not because they stole your cell phone out of your truck.

Now, if they invade your home, all bets are off. Blaze away at them. Just don't shoot a family member in your zeal.

 

[XDShooter07]

Unless you live in texas I wouldn't be shooting anyone over property. If they break down you door and enter your home while you are there and you don't know their intentions that is a different story. If they are outside breaking into your truck and you go outside and engage them you will probably not survive the court case.

I had the same stuff happen to a mustang I used to have; it was broken into and the radio stole twice; the ignition busted out as they tried to steal the entire car and failed once; and a rear window busted out for no good reason once. I put an alarm on the car after that and never had another problem. A little red blinking LED on your dash would probably be enough to deter most criminals as they would think you had an alarm.

 

[The Annoyed Man]

further parsing the law in scndactive's post...

§ 9.42. DEADLY FORCE TO PROTECT PROPERTY. A person is
justified in using deadly force against another to protect land or
tangible, movable property:
(1) if he would be justified in using force against the
other under Section 9.41; and
(2) when and to the degree he reasonably believes the
deadly force is immediately necessary:
(A) to prevent the other's imminent commission of
arson, burglary, robbery, aggravated robbery, theft during the
nighttime, or criminal mischief during the nighttime; or
(B) to prevent the other who is fleeing
immediately after committing burglary, robbery, aggravated
robbery, or theft during the nighttime from escaping with the
property; and
(3) [if] he reasonably believes that:
(A) the land or property cannot be protected or
recovered by any other means; or
(B) the use of force other than deadly force to
protect or recover the land or property would expose the actor or
another to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury.

You can A) bring your cell phone inside, thereby protecting it from theft; and B) get a stereo with a removable face plate the next time you replace a stolen stereo.

I live in Texas, and I wouldn't kill someone over a cell phone and/or car stereo... ...and I carry at all times.

 

[jackstinson]

By all means get training and then a concealed carry permit if you feel the need. Most importantly, personally learn your laws concerning property protection. In some places property protection is not considered a justification for shooting and some places have "duty to retreat" laws. Learn the laws for your state and city.
But I understand your pain. My Jeep was broken into several times over 3 years. They never got anything because I had learned my lesson from the truck I had prior to the Jeep. My Jeep stereo has always had a removable face, I quit using big amps and sub-woofers, and I don't leave anything of value in the vehicle overnight. What finally stopped the break-ins completely though? I moved to a different neighborhood and got a garage to park in at night. No trouble after that.
Yep, I have a CHL and I carry daily. Doesn't do anything for vehicle break-ins unless I am sitting in the vehicle at the time and believe my person to be threatened.
Jack

 

[scndactive]

I would be justified under the law, however I would not feel morally justified shooting some one over breaking in to my car, now if the BG entered a home in the middle of the night, there is something to be said about "sending a message" to the criminal element in the community.

God forbid, he enters someones home and is promptly removed from his earthly existence, but I think most here on THR would say he got what he deserved...........No?

 

[NG VI]

God forbid, he enters someones home and is promptly removed from his earthly existence, but I think most here on THR would say he got what he deserved...........No?

When you put someone in the terrible position of confronting a stranger inside your own home, then it isn't about what he deserved, its about what is required for the person who owns the home and is rightfully there to survive to see the grand jury should they want to speak to him. If it happens to remove a repeat criminal in the process, hopefully a violent one, then its all for the better.

 

[scrat]

In texas earlier this year an older gent. shot a guy that was breaking into his neighbors house. there were a couple of them he called 911 and was frustrated that they were not here and no one was doing anything. the 911 operator told him to stay by the phone but the guy had enough and went and started shooting i think he fired 3 shots from a 12 guage. you could hear the shots being fired from the 911 call. Later on the neighbor that fired the shots was totally cleared. totally legal. justified. now you may be thinking this is not right and we should not shoot people. problem is it does no good to have a gun if you wont use it. if a burgluar knows you have a gun and will not use it what is to stop them. they will just keep on coming. kinda like cockroaches. Yet in this mans neighborhood i doubt anyone will be trying anything over there. There comes a time when you have to put a stop to it. even if it means firing a gun. enough is enough

 

[TallPine]

Build a garage ???

On my recent trip to the PNW, I parked in the hotel's basement parking area. You had to swipe your room card to get the gate to go up to drive in. I figured it was safer than parking outside. Not many people were using the covered parking because of the rare nice weather outside.

 

[Claude Clay]

do you fault the bear for going to the honey?
or the squirrel to the bird feeder?
today's society puts little guilt on the thieves and a hole lot of ' you shoulda's' on the victim. no matter where you hang the bird feeder the squirrels will try to get to the food. your clever--so are they. so what do you do? stop feeding the birds.....but you want/have to. be more clever? accept some loss to the squirrels as part of the overall 'way things happen'? kill all the squirrels. hmmmm......
ok, cant do that; besides , more are coming of age faster than you can kill them.
reality check--minimize your exposure: as has been mentioned--don't leave desirable stuff visible. and you are suffering 2x now cause even if there is nothing on the car seat now to attract them; they know that this vehicle was good to them before. not a lota bling. if it is that you are all gussied up for a date ( or whatever) think about where you are going ( plan your route and alternate); dress and act accordingly.

i feel that it isn't proper that honest people should have to think this way. but i would rather avoid than confront. only after all else fails ( you do carry throw down $, don't you?) do you fall back on your CCW. hesitation on your part can get you & yours hurt or deded real fast. but do give the BGs every chance they will allow you to to end this event bloodless. there are some BGs who are out lookin to hurt someone, but chance favors you never meeting them. the overwhelmingly majority of BGs are just doing their job. don't confuse their being theives with being stupid--they don't want to get hurt and they know the police aren't going to look special for them so long as they don't hurt the victim.

get you CCW, train a lot before you carry 24/7. pray you never have to actually fire it.

 

[springmom]

Not that I'm dissuading you from getting a CHL, but you don't need one to keep a gun in your home (which, if I understood you correctly) is where this last happened.

But for heaven's sake, don't leave valuables in your truck!

Springmom

 

[glockdriver]

whats it worth?

NOTHING , I repeat NOTHING I own is worth taking someones life !!! thats why we have insurance.on the other hand if it means protecting my wife and daughter I will do everything in my power to stop the BG anyway I have to

 

[NG VI]

whats it worth?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NOTHING , I repeat NOTHING I own is worth taking someones life !!! thats why we have insurance.on the other hand if it means protecting my wife and daughter I will do everything in my power to stop the BG anyway I have to

Sounds about right to me, although I am not a mind reader and have never been one, so if I were to stumble upon a burglar or other home invader they would have a very, very short amount of time to make me feel safe holding them for the police. Not my job to understand them or support them, although performing a citizens arrest would be a very reasonable act.

 

[bdickens]

Why, oh why do people ask these legal questions without telling us what state they live in? Laws vary from state to state. What I can do here in Texas that will all but get me a tickertape parade through downtown Houston will probably put me in prison for a very long time in Massachusets.

 

[Clipper]

Why, oh why do people ask these legal questions without telling us what state they live in?

Yeah, they're really 'stickin' it to da man' by not giving at least a state...As if it would stop anyone who really wanted to make it their business to find out...

 

[kingpin008]

IMHO, the OP needs to stop and take a breath.

Not that I support thievery, mind you - but I'd be hard pressed to shoot someone over a cell phone, stereo and broken window. If you want to keep your phone, take it inside with you. Much easier to get calls that way too. If you want your stereo, get a removable face-plate as others suggested, so the unit is useless without it. If you want your truck intact, buy a freaking alarm system.

Having a CCW is a great thing, and is something that everyone should look into. But buying a gun or having a CCW specifically for the purpose of going after someone speaks to a mind that isn't thinking clearly. There are things that you, the property owner can do to avoid these thefts - which apparently you haven't done after all this time. I recommend you re-evaluate your situation and how you take care of your property before you go and do anything foolish based on the words of a police officer (who probably has a working knowledge of the law, rather than a precise knowledge, which is what you really need when it comes to using guns against people).

And CCW aside - avoidance of conflict should be the ultimate goal, not confrontation. Sometimes people forget that - in your case, I don't blame you. But it is a principle to keep in mind always.