Would you use lethal force?

[Vin496]

I have been reading this forum for a while now, and I am just curious what everyone's take is on this.

The thread about the "shooting in Torrance" got me thinking. Many people have stated that if they hear some strange sounds outside they grab their gun and go investigate.

My question is what would be the point of doing this?

What are you trying to accomplish? So you come across someone stealing you radio in your car. Some kid screwing around trying to steal some petty item from your shack out back. Someone peeking through your trash/window.

So your there with a gun, what do you do.

Point your gun at them and tell them to stop? What if they don't? What if they take a swing at you? Even worse they pull out some weapon.

Is a $200 item worth the confrontation?

I'm not talking about someone breaking into our home late at night. I'm talking about hearing noises outside.

[Stormfeather]

I have been reading this forum for a while now, and I am just curious what everyone's take is on this.

The thread about the "shooting in Torrance" got me thinking. Many people have stated that if they hear some strange sounds outside they grab their gun and go investigate.

My question is what would be the point of doing this?

What are you trying to accomplish? So you come across someone stealing you radio in your car. Some kid screwing around trying to steal some petty item from your shack out back. Someone peeking through your trash/window.

So your there with a gun, what do you do.

Point your gun at them and tell them to stop? What if they don't? What if they take a swing at you? Even worse they pull out some weapon.

Is a $200 item worth the confrontation?

I'm not talking about someone breaking into our home late at night. I'm talking about hearing noises outside.

If a $200 item isnt worth it, then what is? a $2000, $20000, $200000, your life? Where do you draw the line?

[Vin496]

If a $200 item isnt worth it, then what is? a $2000, $20000, $200000, your life? Where do you draw the line?

Exactly!!

Like I have said in other post I'm a Texas transplant, where you can use lethal force to protect property.

My BBQ outside? Hell no
My lawnmower? Again F No
Am I going to shoot someone for stealing my car? No FN way, it's a damn car. My son in the back seat, then things change.

To me no material item is worth it.

That's why I don't go running outside with a gun in my hand, every time I hear some rustling around. I become alert and make sure what is outside stays outside, and if I suspect something is not right, I would call the police, and let it be known that I have called them.

Like I said somehow what's going on comes inside, then things are completely different. It's shoot to stop.

[PatriotnMore]

How about you go outside to investigate a noise not carrying and you get shot, was it worth it?
Or, is your point that we should not investigate suspicious noises outside, and try to protect what we own, and worked hard for?
I don't understand what the dollar amount has to do with the question, it makes no difference, you don't know what the dollar amount was before you went to investigate.

[blisster]

Where I live, if I go outside to invstigate a noise or something, I'm not necessarily thinking that I'd shoot someone for stealing my stereo, but rather, the types that steal stereos out here might shoot me to avoid going to jail. I'm not gonna do nothing, but I don't want to run un-armed headlong into a situation where I might get shot for protecting whats mine.

[GuyW]

....Like I said somehow what's going on comes inside, then things are completely different. It's shoot to STOP.

Fixed your post for you.

[NeoWeird]

No. When I hear noises I tuck my head under the sheets and hope they don't come inside. When they do come inside I pray that they won't hurt me. They are people too, and if treated like a person will act like a person. Avoiding the confrontation is the best course of action, as it ensures everyone comes out alive. If a phone is near by I would call the police to catch the criminals and protect me.

[Stormfeather]

Lethal Force all the way.

[olegk]

[PzKfW]

No. When I hear noises I tuck my head under the sheets and hope they don't come inside. When they do come inside I pray that they won't hurt me. They are people too, and if treated like a person will act like a person. Avoiding the confrontation is the best course of action, as it ensures everyone comes out alive. If a phone is near by I would call the police to catch the criminals and protect me.

We need some lefthand style uclaplinker comments here...

[RomanDad]

If a $200 item isnt worth it, then what is? a $2000, $20000, $200000, your life? Where do you draw the line?

The state of California draws the line at YOUR LIFE.... Or more precisely, when the bad guy threatens it... Thats the definition of justifiable homicide.... And if you decide to draw the line lower than that, like shooting somebody who is stealing your property, and who ISN'T threatening you with great bodily harm or deadly force, YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO PRISON, FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

So ask yourself this instead. If you were sentenced to prison for, say 10 years, HOW MUCH WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PAY TO NOT HAVE TO STAY THERE? It seems to me that if what the thief is stealing is worth less than that amount, it probably isn't worth it.

Most people will pay MILLIONS of dollars if they have it to pay a lawyer for a CHANCE to STAY OUT OF PRISON.... They will mortgage everything they own, and most still end up behind bars. Run up to Frontera and take a poll. Ask "How many of you would pay $200.00 to get out tomorrow morning?"

I have been threatened with lethal force. And I responded in like kind. And it was the easiest decision I ever had to make, because it truly was THEM or me... Would I do it for $200, or $2000 or $2,000,000. NOPE.

[elSquid]

If a $200 item isnt worth it, then what is? a $2000, $20000, $200000, your life? Where do you draw the line?

$1743.95. That's where _I_ draw the line!

-- Michael

[bruceflinch]

If you feel you have to go outside, then you better be prepared for the worst. Don't step off your property carrying, though. Unless your favorite neighbor is under attack..

[PatriotnMore]

The state of California draws the line at YOUR LIFE.... Or more precisely, when the bad guy threatens it... Thats the definition of justifiable homicide.... And if you decide to draw the line lower than that, like shooting somebody who is stealing your property, and who ISN'T threatening you with great bodily harm or deadly force, YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO PRISON, FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

So ask yourself this instead. If you were sentenced to prison for, say 10 years, HOW MUCH WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PAY TO NOT HAVE TO STAY THERE? It seems to me that if what the thief is stealing is worth less than that amount, it probably isn't worth it.

Most people will pay MILLIONS of dollars if they have it to pay a lawyer for a CHANCE to STAY OUT OF PRISON.... They will mortgage everything they own, and most still end up behind bars. Run up to Frontera and take a poll. Ask "How many of you would pay $200.00 to get out tomorrow morning?"

I have been threatened with lethal force. And I responded in like kind. And it was the easiest decision I ever had to make, because it truly was THEM or me... Would I do it for $200, or $2000 or $2,000,000. NOPE.

You're right, and I appreciate your post.
I, like others have stated don't go outside with the intent of shooting someone, and I personally would not shoot someone for stealing my property, I would try to stop them however. What I don't want to get caught in, is a situation where I am walking into a gun fight with a stick.

[Greg-Dawg]

With training, yes.