From Hondo11:
For someone to think that defending their property is worth the trouble and risk doesn't make them wrong.
Maybe, depending on the degree of risk,
unless his intent is to use deadly force to do so. That's not my judgment of right and wrong, but the law in most places, dating back centuries.
From easyG:
Why wouldn't you take your pistol with you to investigate every strange noise?
Let's assume for the moment that I am going to ignore the statistics--the results of expert training and simulation--that indicate that I would have little chance of prevailing over an assailant or assailants, and I do go outside to "investigate."
What would I
do with the pistol?
If I do encounter a man in the yard, in most jurisdictions, I can't point it at him for being there. If he is carrying my propane tank, would be I permitted to point it at him without being charged with brandishing or assault with a deadly weapon? Probably not, in
most of these United States, but that's a lawyer's call--he hasn't given me reason to fear that I am in imminent danger of death or serious injury. I surely cannot say, "put down my property or I will murder you." Nor can I reasonably detain him, unless I want to assume the liability of a citizen's arrest. That's not for me.
Now, if I have the pistol, and I am attacked outside, in some places I can "stand my ground" and resort to the use of deadly force. However, in most places, my first obligation is to retreat.
So what's the point of having it with me?
And that would seem to beg the question, why did I go outside in the first place?
The risks (of injury, death, or legal difficulties) are high, and there's relatively little for me on the upside.
Exactly how do you determine if a noise is something that might merit bringing your pistol or not?
Same thought process--what would I do with it?
Now, if I am out in the country, and I hear repeated banging that may indicate that something is awry with the livestock, it would certainly be appropriate for me to go outside to investigate and make things right. And it's not a police issue. Unless I'm legally prohibited from doing so, carrying a pistol would seem reasonable. If I happen to encounter someone any number of events may unfold.
There are two principal differences between this and the "prowler" scenario we have been discussing. One is that I do not expect trouble, and I can reasonably believe that I am not putting myself at risk simply by going outside.
The second is that if something does go wrong and someone is hurt, I will have had a pretty good reason to go outside, and I will not end up explaining to the authorities that the reason I went outside with a gun was to see if someone was taking my property.
I hope this proves constructive.