You’re right, some states have absurd laws regarding what you’re “allowed” to do if someone breaks into your home. I’ve heard of states that only allow you to use equal force / weapons. I.E. if the criminal uses a machete, then you may use a machete. If he uses a knife with a 3″ blade, you may use a knife with a 3″ blade ( but no longer! ). If he’s armed with a baseball bat, you may use a bat against him – but you may certainly not use a knife!

Absolutely ridiculous, these laws. If someone enters my home uninvited, it is my God-given right to protect myself, and my family. Any reasonable lawmakers will make laws to that effect.

Part of the investment aspect proposed was as an “insurance policy” and in evaluating such a policy one has to consider that likelihood of it paying off, and what the caveats are when it does.

That said, if it gives you piece of mind, than that’s good enough.

I live in NJ, about 14 miles from NYC. The law is not at all as clear on what would happen if I shot an intruder. However, the last rash of break-ins was about 8 years ago. There was a crew operating in broad daylight with a panel truck, hitting empty homes. (They finally hit one that had a neighbor home.)

I have 3 dogs. I’m pretty sure the Rottie would only have to bark once or twice.

I expect ( and hope ) to never need to use my Glock anywhere other than at the range, shooting targets. There have been a few breakins in my area lately, but overall it’s a very low-crime area ( at least compared to where I grew up in Baltimore. )

Legal ramifications? Fortunately I live in Texas, where the lawmakers have written the Castle Doctrine. The gist of this law is – if someone breaks into my home, I am to assume he is there to cause my family or me harm. As such, I have every legal right to shoot, and kill him. Whether he is armed or not. Quite frankly every state should have such a law. If nothing else, it’s a huge preventative measure. Knowing that homeowners are armed and unafraid to defend themselves would keep many would-be thieves away.

If I ever have to use my weapon, I will do so, and not worry about any legal consequences. The law is on my side, and on the side of common sense. Anyone who breaks into my home does not deserve to carry on in this life. My family is certainly of more importance to me than any random crackhead.

I do have a locking safe. My glock is safely inside, loaded and ready at a moment’s notice.

@ James:

I’ll be going to the range monthly at the least for quite awhile – I’m new to this, so I know I have a lot to learn. I want to become proficient so as to reduce the chances that I may miss and give an attacker more time to attack. Thansk for the support.

Replying to Eric G: Every homeowner should have a firearm for their personal and family protection. Boyscout motto: Be prepared. You cannot count on local law enforcement to be your only protection. As a Texas Peace Officer, yes, the random crackhead is dumb enough to break into an occupied home.

In Texas you may legally use lethal force to protect your home and belongings at night. Daylight hours are slightly different but still allow use of force, and sometime lethal force.

I keep all of my weapons under lock and key. The one exception is my backup Glock 27 that is on my side 24/7. At night I place it on the upper shelf of my closet, loaded in a holster.

James Singleton

Do you live in an area with a high rate of break-ins? Is there a pattern, I.E. professionals that go for “soft” targets like empty homes vs. the proverbial random crackhead that is dumb enough to break into an occupied home?

What are the legal ramifications of killing an unarmed thief in your home? Will mounting a legal defense put your family in more jeopardy than canceling your credit cards after a break-in? (I honestly don’t know.) Or do you have something in your house that is so valuable that it is honestly worth killing someone over (other than your family – which most burglars don’t want to deal with.) If so, why is it in your home?

Last, do you know how to fire a gun safely? Did you invest in a lock or a safe?