Would You Shoot 2 Men to Protect Your Neighbor's Property?

[mousepod]

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Well, see, I know nothing about the lessons of proper gunhandling, and I hope never to.

I still think if you are popping soeone who is running away, aim for the knee.

But he was using a shotgun - not exactly a gun you use for perfect aim.

And... if you aim for the knee, you can still inflict a deadly injury - femoral artery, etc.

[blueerica]

Originally Posted by Alex

Ok, but it is a lesson of proper gun handling that when you shoot a person it is to kill. There is no guaranteed "maim" (not to mention it requires shooting at a much smaller target) and if that is a risk you can take then you shouldn't be shooting them in the first place.

It was all in how I read your earlier statement. The mental imagery made me snicker a bit.

I agree with you quite a bit on this topic, even if I do have a gun on my property with which I could shoot someone.

[Alex]

The other lesson from my stepfather was "Unless you're in immediate danger, you better be planning to eat it if it is alive when you shoot it. So keep that in mind if you get an urge to point this at your sister."

But it did keep me from harrassing squirrels in our backyard with my BB gun. Though I did become a great hunter of apples hanging from our trees.

[BarTopDancer]

I think everyone should know how to handle a gun and gun safety (beyond don't point it at people or at yourself) even if they never ever plan on touching or owning one.

One can hope all they want, but you truly never know what situation you may find yourself in.

[blueerica]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

I think everyone should know how to handle a gun and gun safety (beyond don't point it at people or at yourself) even if they never ever plan on touching or owning one.

One can hope all they want, but you truly never know what situation you may find yourself in.

Agree, agree, agree. And I have to say, using a gun isn't always as easy as it looks, so if you're shooting to kill or at least disable someone, you're better off knowing how to aim and handle the thing properly.

[Alex]

Well, if they are running away you shouldn't be popping them in the first place.

You also shouldn't fire warning shots and if you do it should be into the ground at your feet. Particularly in an urban or suburban area. What goes up does come down and even a high angle shot can have a good amount of lateral velocity remaining when it eventually hits something.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Alex

What goes up does come down and even a high angle shot can have a good amount of lateral velocity remaining when it eventually hits something.

Mythbusters covered that!

[innerSpaceman]

Um, this is Texas, right?


What are we even talking about? The groundwork for widespread, legal vigilantism has long been laid.



If I'm reading this right, he was aquitted even after commiting stated, premeditated murder of illegal immigrant, suspected criminals. The End. Welcome to Texas.

[JWBear]

Considering it was Texas, I'm suprised they didn't give him a medal and a ticker-tape parade!

[scaeagles]

I would not hesitate to kill someone threatening a loved one or myself.

Property is not worth the life of the victim or the thief.

I would not go outside to confront someone if I and my family were inside.

That being said, any unwelcome intruder in my home without permission has completely unknown motives to me is therefore a mortal threat to me and my family. I would not hesitate to shoot someone in that circumstance.

Because of this, I think this man crossed the line. He was under no threat. I'd say under the circumstances even if he had been in the house and all he heard was a wiggling of the doorknob he might be justified (though that's a stretch) due to the situation.