Would you use lethal force?

[1911su16b870]

I will use whatever force is necessary to:
1. Overcome resistance
2. Effect an arrest
3. Prevent escape

[RomanDad]

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.

Agreed... I hear somebody breaking into my car, the wife calls the cops while I grab the gun... My next step is to probably yell at him from INSIDE the safety of my house. 99% of the time, that will do it.

I may even go out to stop him (which is ALSO within my rights, so long as the level of force I use is appropriate for the situation. It may not, however, be the SMARTEST thing in the world.... The car is insured... And so long as the door is locked HES OUTSIDE AND MY FAMILY IS SAFE and thats all that matters.... Ill light all of my cars on FIRE before I see a member of my family get hurt because I decided to play hero.... But if he tries to do something as stupid and CRAZY as come in the house, hes going to get shot...)

[eijjie33]

try to stop them,but if confronted with my life on the line it's better him than me to be 6' under

[Uxi]

When I heard my car alarm going off and saw my door open, damned straight, I grabbed my G21 and went out there. It was for protection, though. As soon as I saw noone there, I went in and put my pistol away and called the Cops. I would most definitely use deadly force in self-defense.

[Vin496]

I'm curious how it the demographics break down.

I'm 36 married with 2 boys. When I was in my 20's and single I would have probably grabbed a gun and gone outside.

Now that I'm older and have a family, I would have to say I would be way more cautious. I'm not going to get my weapon and go outside for a suspicious noise.

I have way too much to lose now over some material item.

Again brought inside my home or against my family, all things change.

[Two Shots]

I would help the people load my stuff in thier vehicle, If they don't have one. I'll run down and fill up my truck for them. Then help load my stuff in my truck so they don't hurt thierselves (don't want to get sued) give them a few bucks and wave goodbye as they drive off with my stuff I worked for.

Now the truth
Most of the time living in the country,You have all kinds of noise at night. I rarely go out with a weapon other then a 3-cell maglight unless there has been problems in the area. We have 4 big dogs and geese that goes off when a person or animal comes near the property. Then I'll go out with a shotgun or pistol and check to see whats going on.
I would only use deadly force if it was called for, That would be there choice to make otherwise they can kiss the dirt and wait for the Sherrif Dept.

[tombinghamthegreat]

When it comes to lethal force if they break into my house or a self defense situation i shoot to kill, no questions asked. Beyond that it would have to depend on the situation. If someone was sneaking around my yard i would use firearm if needed. Some would say it is wrong to kill someone in self defense over something that is worth $200 but then again that person trying to steal might not have a problem killing a family for $200.

[Bobula]

Unless I know they're unarmed, I will be! I probably will be even if they aren't.

Ever heard the saying don't bring a knife to a gun fight? Well don't show up with just a flashlight either.

[mymonkeyman]

Let me ask you this, should armed police investigate suspicious noises?

What if the person runs towards them or pulls out a weapon?

The right for police to shoot is not substantially different than the right for you to shoot (the main difference is they can shoot fleeing felons likely to cause harm to others). Also, not every cop has a taser or other less than lethal weapon, so that is not an escape to the problem.

Also, the test for self-defense isn't just a belief that you will get killed, but death or great bodily bodily harm. If they pull out an kind of weapon short of pepper spray, then it's time for lethal force. Also, just like cops, you can shoot if they are going after your weapon.

[dwtt]

If I hear a noise in my back yard, I would first look out the window with the lights out.
If I don't see anything, I'll take Mr Remington 1100 with me and see if there's anyone or anything in my yard. What's the point? To determine if my or my family's safety are in immediate danger. If it is, then I start shooting. If not, I'll go back inside and call the cops. That's why I would go outside armed to investigate a noise.

I thought this was obvious, but apparently not.

[ETD1010]

I wouldn't go running outside with a gun just because I hear a rustle in the bushes. I WILL, however, arm myself and be cautious. My personal property outside isn't worth my life, so unless I can see someone, or figure out that it is indeed a threat (w/o running outside with a gun and flashlight) I'll take the next step. As a few posters have stated, if they start prying at doors, things change. I just don't feel that I'd risk anything by going outside if I don't know how many there would be, etc, etc.

[E. Fudd]

If I hear a noise in my back yard, I would first look out the window with the lights out.
If I don't see anything, I'll take Mr Remington 1100 with me and see if there's anyone or anything in my yard. What's the point? To determine if my or my family's safety are in immediate danger. If it is, then I start shooting. If not, I'll go back inside and call the cops. That's why I would go outside armed to investigate a noise.

I thought this was obvious, but apparently not.

Very risky to conduct a one man search outside, alone, with no one to watch your back, imho... You can't watch 360 degrees around by yourself. There could be more than one, they could be hiding, laying in wait to ambush you, shoot or club you from behind, take your weapon, etc. Risky enough even when team tactics are used.

Suggest it would be more prudent to stay inside and protect your family. Check out what it is from the inside with the indoor lights out. Light up the backyard with your outdoor lights to verify it isn't just a thieving raccoon or cats having a rendevous or your idiot drunk neighbor stumbling into the wrong back yard by mistake. If it's a trespasser, verbally challenge him and order him to get the h*** off your property, while the Mrs. is calling 911.

If he thens tries to break in to your house....

Hopefully, he'll run off and you can have the police search for him out in the streets...

[Exposed]

I wouldnt shoot anyone unless my life is in danger. If an unarmed man is stealing from my garage (and Im sure he is unarmed) I would just beat him to a bloody pulp. However, if he is armed, he just became a live target.


Edit: Actually, now that I think about it I would just run away and hide in my closet like a little girl.

[SFFRONTMAN]

For property other than my house, definitely not. If you come near my family then hell yes.

[tenpercentfirearms]

In Kern County we warn them first.

"Stop!"

Wait a half a second.

bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.

take about 3-4 seconds to reload.

bang, bang, bang, bang.

Evaluate for threats.

Call the cops.