What do you consider an improvised weapon?

[Whirlwind06]

In Ohio we have the duty to retreat. So if I heard something going on downstairs I would grab my kids and lock us in the bedroom. Wife and kids lay down in the master bath. Then call 911 on stay online with the police. If the bad guy kicked the door in he is getting a face full of lead. (I have retreated as far as I can)

In your scenario, I would have to retreat. As long as the BG wasn't between me and and exit or between me and my loved ones.

 

[yy]

I consider the silver spoon I was born with an improvised weapon.

But for a more immediate threat, I'd have to say my silver chop sticks.

And you can always use the plastic fork like Al Bundy


If you don't mind the time lag, I'll have my in-law nag you to death. I'll deal with the inhumane charges later (bwa ha ha ha ha) <irony disclaimer>

 

[tepin]

A clubbed pot, pan, chair etc… is a deadly weapon in most if not all states. Give one verbal command to drop the object and 2 seconds for him to do so. Shoot on the third count.

The fact that he grabbed the said object implies intent of its use. On the street you would be better off running away.

 

[Dacoda]

You continue to look around and walk into your kitchen/dinging room where you find the intruder.

If you find this guy in the kitchen or dining room, He's probably hungry. Just make the dude a sandwich, and he'll be on his way.

 

[Sistema1927]

Sure glad that I live in a "castle doctrine" state!

When I lived in Texas, I had to develop my own personal moral standard as to when to utilize deadly force. This is due to the fact that Texas, at the time if not now, allowed one to utilize deadly force in order to stop a thief while fleeing in possession of your property. Since I have never owned any item worth a human life, I had to develop my own "rules of engagement". If they are on the way out, and no longer pose a threat, let them go and call the cops.

However, after much thought and consideration, I came to this conclusion: If they were in my house at night, my only assumption is that they are brazen enough to bring harm to my family. Unless they are going out the door, they are going to face the most powerful force that I can muster. I am already in fear of my life, and the safety of my family, due to your presence in my occupied dwelling in the dark of night.

I won't kill you over property, but I will kill you if you pose a threat to my family.

 

[tepin]

I would agree that if someone is on their way out of your home, with or without property, its probably a good idea to let them flee. However, I would consider a home invasion at night more of a danger than a home invasion during the day. The day-timers are probably banking on no one being home and probably wanting to avoid confrontation. The nighttime invader doesn’t care if someone is home and is probably prepared to deal with anyone that confronts them. Most perps don’t carry weapons while “traveling”; they acquire the weapon once inside the home (usually a kitchen knife). What would really suck is to let someone flee and they come back a month later and kill one of your family members. That would be horrible to live with. It would be interesting to see stats on how often a perp robs the same home more than once.

 

[Whirlwind06]

It would be interesting to see stats on how often a perp robs the same home more than once.

here is one. Not a home but a small business

David Worley told prosecutors he would take full responsibility for beating West Side bike-shop owner Kenneth Schneider nearly to death in March during his fourth crack-fueled robbery of the stalwart merchant.

http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.ssf?/base/iscri/1151060167318400.xml?iscri&coll=2

 

[TallPine]

However, after much thought and consideration, I came to this conclusion: If they were in my house at night, my only assumption is that they are brazen enough to bring harm to my family.

Yep

All this talk about improvised weapons, bulges in pockets ("what's its gots in its pocketssessss?" ) is just hot air contributing to global warming

 

[redneckdan]

I was on a church youth group trip to a major city about 3 years ago. A druggie cornered a small group of us with a small knife (3" long-ish, dager type blade). Long story short, I ended up with 12 stitches in my shoulder and he got a ball point pen in the neck. He went to the hospital, I spent 10 minutes sitting on the bumper of an ambulance. Who won that one? Whose weapon was more effective?