Rubber slugs or Non Lethal means for yard defense

C

chasu

Inactive
Aware of laws protecting inside the home, what are some feasible means of protecting, say, a vehicle in the carport or driveway. If you approach a thief that has broken into your vehicle and you have (non-lethal) taser or rubber buckshot, would you shoot them? In Louisiana, I'd be in a world of trouble shooting someone with conventional ammo that is not threatening me directly with a weapon, but man, I'd sure love to pepper them with some rubber buckshot to the thighs. Thoughts?
 
I'm glad I'm in Texas.
If I felt the need to approach an auto burglar it wouldn't be with non lethal, and not sure why such an approach might be needed.
Call 911, monitor via surveillance system, disable his vehicle if needed from a safe position. IF, (and I can't see it if it's just my truck) but if some exigent circumstance occurs then it's a different matter, and no holds would be barred.
 
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Don't know about LA. Here in FLA that would be considered brandishing, using displaying a weapon to get the upper hand. TXAZ good point stay inside guard the home /911, wait on the calvery
 
Rubber slugs and rubber buckshot are LESS lethal, not non-lethal. They can and have killed people, which is why police officers receive specific training in their use. Police officers also typically employ these while wearing body armor and backed up by other officers who have regular ammunition loaded and ready.

I'm not familiar with Louisiana's state laws on self-defense, which are a bit different in effect than most states. In many states, you'd need to meet the same legal threshhold (a reasonable fear of immediate death or serious bodily injury) to use rubber buckshot as you would to use lead shot. So, it rarely makes sense to use rubber buckshot when facing an immediate threat of death or serious bodily injury.

Might I suggest that you are using the wrong tool for the job? The purpose of having a firearm is self-defense, not to administer corporal punishment on those you think deserving of it. I get that nobody like thieves; but ask yourself what are you trying to do here that rubber buckshot is a good choice?
 
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The use of a gun in a non-defensive situation is illegal in the State of Ga., where I currently reside. You simply can not discharge a weapon if it isn't in defense of life. The load is irrelevant.

That being said, I've always wondered if a paintball gun might be both a fun alternative and a lesson learned for the bad guy. Yeah, I can imagine why this is bad in so many ways and what it might turn into, but I can't help thinking about some idiot running down my driveway shrieking in pain and dripping pink.... doesn't hurt to dream does it?
 
Ok

So, the assumption that I'm looking for a reason to use my gun can't be farther from the truth. I rather never have to use my gun, and I'll admit, the way I put that I'd love to use less lethal rubber buckshot to the thighs doesn't constitute an action that is intended to be lethal. I could legally use a taser in Louisiana. How would this be different?
 
How would this be different?
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The difference is a TASER is not a firearm. A shotgun loaded with rubber buck, beanbags, rocksalt or OO buck IS a firearm. The laws reguarding discharging a firearm prohibit shooting someone unless your life (or anothers) is in danger.

TASERS and defensive sprays have a lower threshold to legally use then "deadly force". Which is what you are using regardless of what load you have in the gun.
 
It's a bad move to shoot anything at someone who don't need no shootin'..........

Even less lethal rounds can be lethal, especially if your not trained on how/when to use them. They aren't called "less than lethal", they're LESS LETHAL than hard bullets.

If you're going to shoot a projectile at someone, it should probably be to defend your life or another's, not the change in your center console........

Here in MS castle doctrine includes your vehicle
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Pretty sure that means if you're in it, not when it's empty. You shoot someone for breaking into your car that you're not in, and there's no risk for injury or loss of life to an innocent, and I can almost assure you there's bad ju-ju headed your way.
 
The biggest problem that I see is that you are moving towards danger when no danger already exists. Walking out the door to prevent property theft or damage is where your biggest risk is. If there are other problems down the line, that's the start of the encounter. As much as the gut recoils at letting an intruder on the property freely mess about, the absolutely safe action is to just let it happen and make sure you have a good record of what's happening. Get video.

I don't think that you could be faulted for opening your door and hollering "hey, buttheads, I have you on film!"
 
Go down to the local dealership and price out a loaded pickup. Now consider that might look a pittance in comparison to your legal fees. You'd be better off shooting your own dam truck. Just a thought.
 
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I have argued in the past that I have a right to protect my stuff. Using deadly force to so, especially if I initiate the contact, is a bad idea though. Yes, if violence is threatened, and death or severe bodily harm is imminent it is justified. If not, killing someone for stealing your vehicle is probably going to end badly.

Rubber bullets and tasers can be lethal. In that situation, explaining to a prosecutor or jury why you used either one to save your truck would be a very bad spot in most places.
 
I get it

I get it. Castle doctrine and all. I was just asking about "What if". Someone was recently killed by LEO in my town with rubber projectile. Went right in the temple. It happens. I get it.

Now I could place a drawn back marble into his flank with a slingshot !!!
 
"...Rubber slugs and rubber buckshot are LESS lethal, not non-lethal..." Also for riot control, not criminal disabling. Said rubber is also India rubber think very hard stuff.
The "right" to use deadly force to protect your stuff isn't the same everywhere. Neither are Tasers.
Suspect you'd be in a world of trouble both from police and civil suits if you shoot somebody with anything when not being directly threatened. Like briandg says, it's you who did the escalating.
 
The thief may DESERVE some bad leg bruising or tasing, but the law isn't going to protect you.


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