I was reading Glocktogo's post on the guy that got shot after walking in on burglary in progress and wondered what exactly is the recommended course of action if you walk into a similar situation.
Securing my guns while I'm not at home is not an issue as the probability that a burglary would put a half dozen pistols out in the hands of a bunch of punk kids, is why I've spent more money on a gun safe this year than new guns.
I live in a very quiet mixed race middle class neighborhood with little crime but my first trip into the house after coming home from somewhere is always empty handed and cautious (no I don't walk in gun in hand).
I can't envision being targeted by professional burglars, but drugged up kids or kids on a lark are a possibility. My only conundrum is "Do I shoot first, or try the 'Halt, reach for the sky'" if I walk in on a break in. If I see a gun on the burglar(s), the answer is "boom" first, but absent that I'm torn since I don't want to shoot some stupid kid out on a dare.
I understand that the OK "make my day" provisions probably covers me legally, but I still want to be able to live with myself. I long ago worked out my response to a break in while I'm home (dead attacker), but walking in on a burglar seems a different bag of worms as the intent of the burglar to "do harm" is not as clear absent the evidence of a weapon.
I'd appreciate your comments.
Securing my guns while I'm not at home is not an issue as the probability that a burglary would put a half dozen pistols out in the hands of a bunch of punk kids, is why I've spent more money on a gun safe this year than new guns.
I live in a very quiet mixed race middle class neighborhood with little crime but my first trip into the house after coming home from somewhere is always empty handed and cautious (no I don't walk in gun in hand).
I can't envision being targeted by professional burglars, but drugged up kids or kids on a lark are a possibility. My only conundrum is "Do I shoot first, or try the 'Halt, reach for the sky'" if I walk in on a break in. If I see a gun on the burglar(s), the answer is "boom" first, but absent that I'm torn since I don't want to shoot some stupid kid out on a dare.
I understand that the OK "make my day" provisions probably covers me legally, but I still want to be able to live with myself. I long ago worked out my response to a break in while I'm home (dead attacker), but walking in on a burglar seems a different bag of worms as the intent of the burglar to "do harm" is not as clear absent the evidence of a weapon.
I'd appreciate your comments.
