Warning Sign. What is legal to say?

[Psywarrior13]

Ok, I have seen several security signs, "I don't dial 911", No trespassing, etc...

Would this be legal? Would love to hear from any LEOs out there

 

[Psywarrior13]

trying this again... sorry

 

[Neo-Luddite]

Fine--a novelty item if you like--UNTIL you actually plug a nogoodnik (for good reason) but have to account for your lighthearted warning sign before a jury.

I'd pass on using it outside--maybe in your hobby room or rec room, etc.

If you need a sign for outside--buy it at retail from a straight-laced hardware store or lumber yard.

 

[yesit'sloaded]

Basically you can legally have anything on a sign that isn't considered obscene. Just remember if you ever have to use your gun in self defense that sign might find its way into the courtroom. How would a possibly anti-gun jury see that sign. Does it make you look like a bloodthirsty person just waiting to blow some poor burglar away?

 

[bogie]

"ABC Security Service Wireless Alarm"

"Beware of Dog"

 

[yesit'sloaded]

Think about these:

Probably bad.
Maybe.
Better.

 

[Jeff White]

Some states have laws that specify what no trespassing signs must say in order to be enforceable, but I don't know of any state that regulates novelty signs like that.

I think your biggest worry would be what the plaintiff's attorney would do with that sign in a civil suit if you did have to shoot an intruder. Can you imagine that sign and your house on the local TV news?

Sometimes jokes like that are best kept in the gun room or some other place.

Jeff

 

[General Geoff]

I like,


"This residence insured by Smith & Wesson, Incorporated."


Replace S&W with your home defense weapon of choice.

 

[76Ford]

i saw a sign in a car once that said something along the lines of "This car is guarded by the Smith & Wesson security company 4 days a week. Guess which 4."

 

[Zoogster]

Most things are legal, the problem is they can be a liability if you actualy use force and that is submitted as evidence.
It can be detrimental to your character, resulting in charges or even criminal conviction by jury, and certainly hurt you in a civil trial.

Almost anything you want to say with words is legal to post on your own private property though. Even if it talks about or references illegal activity.
That does not make it a smart choice.

 

[Zundfolge]

Downside to these signs is they also say: If nobody is home, free guns!

I think your biggest worry would be what the plaintiff's attorney would do with that sign in a civil suit if you did have to shoot an intruder. Can you imagine that sign and your house on the local TV news?

Since more and more states are passing laws shielding those who use lethal force in justified self defense situations from civil liability, that's less of a concern (of course you need to know the laws in your neck of the woods). Such a sign could, however, effect the opinion of the Grand Jury against you if it was a close call.

Frankly the biggest concern would be the fact that putting up one of the more colorfully worded signs would tend to make one look like an idiot.

 

[AR2A]

Agreed...Better for that to be in your office than where the public can scrutinize you for it, if it ever came to that.

 

[Psywarrior13]

Frankly the biggest concern would be the fact that putting up one of the more colorfully worded signs would tend to make one look like an idiot.

I do believe that is the biggest down side to it. I live in the great State of Missouri, where we have the wonderful castle doctrine.

But this does give me an idea... something about a fool and his money... a couple of more ideas, a few more hours on illustrator, and a gun show coming up next month.....(evil laugh)

Thanks all

 

[antagonist22]

The sign is a bit harsh by implying anyone that tries to break in will be killed by the property owner. Maybe a sign that says "free bandages" will be less of a liability.

 

[Kentak]

Dumb beyond belief. Legal, sure. But, dumb.

K

 

[HB]

"Trespassers will be shot, survivors will be shot again"
OR
"Trespassers will be shot, survivors will be eaten as is"

Only on the Ozark streams of Southern Missouri

HB

 

[Kentak]

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, I present exhibit A as evidence that the defendant had blood lust and was willing to kill any intruder, no matter the intruder's intent, or the degree of legal justification."

K

 

[Kentak]

I bet this guy has one of those signs on his trailer.

 

[Z-Michigan]

Legal to post - yes.

Legal to do what the sign says you will do - not in 99% of situations.

A good idea - no, an incredibly bad idea. Would be used against you in any criminal or civil trial. Could easily turn a legitimate self-defense shooting into a long prison sentence.

 

[Erik]

Another "I don't recommend it for the reasons stated."

 

[Erik]

"I like, "This residence insured by Smith & Wesson, Incorporated."

Coincidentally, so do the burglars.

"This car is guarded by the Smith & Wesson security company 4 days a week. Guess which 4."

Another burglar favorite.

 

[glink]

Well I think its funny but for reasons mentioned above, advertising your home's contents, legal liability etc; I'd have to agree to keep such things inside for novelty and amusement. Having said that, I have a buddy who has a sign on his mailbox post that simply states. "If you can read this, you are in range"

I did not see this above, sorry if I missed it. Always makes me chuckle.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Legal? Probably.
Ill advised? Definitely.

Using LEOs for legal advice? Awful idea. That's not their role. Lawyers for law questions, always, always, always!

 

[bdickens]

Once again, What's Legal and what's prudent are often seperated by a wide margin.

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

Since more and more states are passing laws shielding those who use lethal force in justified self defense situations from civil liability, that's less of a concern (of course you need to know the laws in your neck of the woods). Such a sign could, however, effect the opinion of the Grand Jury against you if it was a close call.

Not only that; but consider some of the recent shootings that made national news.

1. the man in Dallas who shot two separate burglars over two weeks during two separate burglary attempts and was ambush-interviewed outside a store as he bought a third shotgun to replace the previous two in evidence.

2. Joe Horn shooting (shot two men robbing his neighbor's house while on the phone with 911)

Remember the media coverage and attention? How would you like a nice slow pan of your cute novelty sign to be national news before you even get to a grand jury or prosecutor? Good luck getting an impartial trial then... we've all seen what type of spin the media can put on things just based on sheer ignorance concerning guns and self-defense. Can you imagine how that might play out if you actually got some reporter who actively supported gun control?