Shooting Home Robber in the Back

[jeeper01]

waaaaaait a minute... you still have a vcr?

i almost feel bad for the guy robbing you.. that poor bastard couldn't even pawn that thing for a can of soda

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Yeah, but the law does not say anything about speculation--it speaks of reasonable belief.

And time and time again in Texas courts have intruders been justifiably shot based on the reasonable belief they were there to do harm to the people inside. It is a reasonable belief and juries have no problem with the concept.

 

[Zach S]

I didnt bother reading the whole thread.

I want to say no, but in reality, it depends on what he's running towards while he's running away from me.

If the door he wanted to use was in the same direction as your wife and/or child, what would you do?

 

[saltydog452]

jeeper01, the VCR sits right next to the 8 Track.

salty

 

[JohnMcD348]

I will add my point of view as a born and raised Florida Boy.

If I find someone in my home and I do not know them, my family does not know them, and they are present in my home for reasons other than a social visit(Mormons, Jehovah's Witness, cookie sales, etc) they forfeit their life. I will not risk my families life or mine on the idea that they just wanted my Plasma TV and had no intention of harming anyone.

I will do everything within my power to assure they pose no threat to my family before Law Enforcement arrive. 10 years ago, when I was single and unattached, had I seen someone leaving my home with a TV or something, I would have dialed 911 but been prepared had they returned. Now, I will not take the chance with my families life that they may return.

 

[t165]

I remember a prosecution which happened years ago that IIRC involved an Indiana State Trooper who had shot a robber/burgler in the back. I cannot remember or find the verdict in the case. The Trooper's attorney argued that the suspect was facing the officer and a threat when the initiation of the trigger pull was started. By the time the trigger follow through was completed and the firing sequence was finished the suspect had turned his back to the officer. It was argued the suspect's actions during the trigger pull and firing of the weapon was the reason he was struck in the back instead of center mass. Of course both sides had experts pro and con relating to possibility. If anyone is familiar with this case or a similiar one I would be interested as to the decision(s) of the jury.

 

[saltydog452]

t165,

Never having shot anything more threatning than a NRA 25yard pistol center, I can kinda relate to that.

Maybe its just me, but if I'm on the front sight and get too aggressive on the trigger, fist sized groups just ain't gonna happen.

No doubt there are folks who can have ten brass cases in the air vs. my one or two.

I'm just slow. The situtation you described could easily happen to me. The gun can work faster than I can think. And I 'think' front sight.

salty

 

[Buckhannon]

I would aim to wing the bad guy, but you know a 45.... the rounds are apt to hit the perp anywhere....

 

[justinvoigts]

Think about it

If it is in the middle of the night a homeowner will always feel their life is being threatened. If the homeowner is half asleep and the bg is all coked up or whatever the homeowners life is being threatened. I will always feel my life is threatened when someone comes into my house uninvited this warrants the use of deadly force.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

Hello y'all,
I just started taking a serious stance on home defense and while thinking about it, I had a problem that was plaguing me. I'm not sure what I would do in this (realistic) scenario, so I wanted to gather your opinions.

Background: I live in the state of Florida. Florida has the Castle Doctrine for homes. I interpret the law to mean that anyone who forcefully and without authorization enters your dwelling has forfeited their life, for whatever reason.

That being said would you shoot a home invader in the back as he is heading out the door (but still within the confines of the house) if he was only stealing [insert valuable MATERIAL possession here]. I guess I'm imagining a robber running out of the house with VCR, or Earrings, etc... I don't think this is a legal matter if he's sill in the house, but more of a moral issue. Would you shoot him?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Are you concerned with defending yourself and your family, or murdering someone? Regardless of if your jurisdiction makes it legal, why in the right mind would you kill someone who does not pose a threat to the life or safety of you or anyone else? If some crackhead is running out my house with a pair of earrings, fine. Id rather not live with the burden of killing someone who is not a threat to me. Let the scumbag have the earrings.