Staying at someone else's house, still legal to use deadly force against intruder?

I didn't tell anyone to illegally use lethal force. Please do not misunderstand my terms either. When I say defend property, that's my house and I will not run out the back door because I have an intruder on my property.

I would not shoot a kid stealing a lawn ornament and I'll thank you not to paint me like that just because I wont get on here and say the politically correct No property is worth fighting for. Some things are worth fighting for, and especially at home.

I do not go looking for trouble. If it comes to me at home...I have more rights at home than anywhere.
 
Just going back on the OP. Even if the law allows you to use deadly force against an intruder, if you aren't at your place you may not be actually sure about who's an intruder.

In my corner of the world (a remte hill of Tuscany) if I hear noises in the house it is likely a friend of my kids entering the usual way thru the window. I do know this and my only reaction is to run to padlock the fridge. I cannot imagine what would happen if I had an armed guest and he/she decided that a wild Tuscan Kid is an intruder.....

K.
 
fiddletown said:
I'm making this point because a misuse of statistics does the RKBA no good. We have to be careful about making claims that we can't substantiate, because when we do, it erodes our credibility.
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Thanks, fiddletown -- you beat me to it, and said it more succinctly than I would have...

kadima said:
Just going back on the OP. Even if the law allows you to use deadly force against an intruder, if you aren't at your place you may not be actually sure about who's an intruder.
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Yep -- one of many reasons why the smart thing to do, if possible, is to retreat to a safe place within your home (no one is suggesting you should retreat from your home), call 911, and tell the intruder you're armed and the cops are on the way.

If it's the the Tuscan Kid, he'll then say something along the lines of "Aspetta, prego non sparare, è Pulcinello!"

And all will be well, if your guest's Italian is up to it. :)
 
Actually here the average Tuscan kid would comment about the rifle and tell that his dad-granddad-uncle has a nicer rifle for wild hog hunting.

Then would kick the padlocked fridgr until it opens and start raiding it making London looters look amateurs.... 8-)

Trust me, I have two tuscan kids at home...

K.
 
From WA state.

My understanding is this: If a person is attacking you, or someone else, and you are in a place that it is legal for you to be, you may use whatever force is necessary to stop that attack (felony assault). The assault does not have to be on your person, you can defend someone else in your presence.

The limiting factor would be, say someone came into your yard and stole your car...If that person were driving away from your person...you do not defent, you call the cops. If the thief was driving your car in your direction (potential deadly threat, using the car as a weapon), you would have the right to stop him by what ever means you had.

Oh yes, in the car senario...It just happened a few days ago in Seattle...someone with a gun or a knife trys to hijack your car...it is permissible for you to use deadly force to prevent that carjacking.

I disagree with backing yourself into a corner. I do not, will not, retreat. Someone comes into my presence to do me or mine harm, they will pay immeadiately. I also will not purposely put myself in harms way, unless there is some compelling reason to do so. (someone else in my presense is being hurt)
 
...but I was also under the impression that the castle doctrine meant I could defend my property as well, am I wrong about that?
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Impressions can be wrong, and very costly.

It is important for everyone who contemplates using any type of weapon for self-defense to know what is required.

I do not understand the laws of California, but I do know you may be set free in a criminal court, yet still be sued in a civil court. (OJ Simpson) So even if you were found to not be guilty of a crime, it is possible you could still be sued for damages.

An aside: I do not remember going in to someones house through anything but the front door (Or the back door if our boots were muddy :)) when I was a kid. But like the Tuscon kids, I now have teenagers who come through any available opening when it is feeding time. I am certainly glad I was never an annoying teenager! ;)
 
I disagree with backing yourself into a corner. I do not, will not, retreat.
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In WA, that's fine. In states like Maryland, you have to back up, turn and run, scream bloody murder, give up and offer the assailant tea and crumpets and then kindly ask them to let you live before you may use deadly force. All depends on the state. WA just so happens to have no duty to retreat.
 
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