[CFrance]

Originally Posted by TexaninVA

Actually, if you came home and surprised the intruder in your house, he could very well act out of panic and shoot you or your hubby. This almost happened to friends of ours.

Maybe it's my military background ... but if I had to shoot a criminal inside our house for self defense, I would not have a problem with that. It's within the law, and I would be protecting my home and wife.

I agree with your scenario. That's why I said "... out to kill me first." My post was regarding a few who said, in so many words, "Let them come in; I'm sitting here with my loaded gun," as if they would shoot first and ask questions later.

[TexaninVA]

Originally Posted by SanFranDianne

I have a camera with me at all times. When I/we leave the house, I photograph vehicles (and license plates), as well as people walking/biking that I do not recognize. When nothing happens, I delete after a week.

Congrats to you SanFran! This is the single most effective thing that we can each do. I take a similar approach but I keep the photos and info much longer ... disk storage is cheap.

Bad guys get nervous when they see that the old folks are actually paying attention. Btw, getting the tag number is crucial. Sheriff can't do much without it to investigate suspicious car.

[kittygilchrist]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I agree with your scenario. That's why I said "... out to kill me first." My post was regarding a few who said, in so many words, "Let them come in; I'm sitting here with my loaded gun," as if they would shoot first and ask questions later.

CF, UR one of my faves...
I've had my door kicked in, not here, elsewhere.
you can't say, "hello, do you just want my stuff or are you going to kill me?"
There is the sound of an explosion at the door....
if you are very close to your weapon and in a back room, you might have a chance to take them down first. I would not ask questions.

I've thought this through KNOWING that had the original door-kicker come into my house (thank God he walked away), I could have killed a 17 year old who thought kicking in a door was a prank. That would not be easy to live with, but that's what I would still do.

[Algebra2]

I am looking for a security company. Who are you using? I have used ADT when I lived up north, but don't know how effective they are in the south.

[billethkid]

I recommend the infra red motion sensors.......they must have a certain amount of body heat/temperature rise along with the movement. These sensors have an advantage over the standard sensors in that one can have a pet of 40 pounds or less roaming the house when the alarm is set and it will not trigger the alarm....40+ pounds or more it goes off every time.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

CF, UR one of my faves...
I've had my door kicked in, not here, elsewhere.
you can't say, "hello, do you just want my stuff or are you going to kill me?"
There is the sound of an explosion at the door....
if you are very close to your weapon and in a back room, you might have a chance to take them down first. I would not ask questions.

I've thought this through KNOWING that had the original door-kicker come into my house (thank God he walked away), I could have killed a 17 year old who thought kicking in a door was a prank. That would not be easy to live with, but that's what I would still do.

I get ya, Kitty. Different reactions for different people.

I think my first thought would be to use the gun to blow out the nearest window and jump through it. Or shoot through the ceiling. But my first reaction to anything that scares me is to get the heck out.

I'm sorry you went through that scare.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by CFrance

We do not have a gun. We do have a large dog. (snipped) I cannot imagine shooting someone over a burglary. Don't know how I would live with myself if I killed someone who was not out to kill me first.

We have two dogs, one of them large enough so that most visitors ask cautiously "is he friendly" before they enter our house. CFrance, you might be surprised what Crosby would do if you weren't there and an intruder entered your home. Perhaps I'm naive, but I do believe that a barking dog will act as a deterrent to most intruders.

We don't have a gun. Like you, I cannot imagine shooting someone unless I was convinced that my life was in danger.

[RErmer]

Just my opinion and to keep things in perspective: We moved here from Fort Lauderdale about 2 years ago. At that time in our small neighborhood of a few hundred houses, there were more burglaries in a month than in a year here. Sure I hate it that there are criminals around/in The Villages, but it is so much safer here than so many other places.

[MikeV]

Those of you who post that you do not own a gun are telling the criminals to target your home. I would not shoot at someone who broke into my home but I surely would point a gun at them. I believe most criminals when confronted by an armed person will retreat. That is the purpose of pointing the gun. That said, if a burglar then threatens you or anyone else in your home or is armed (not usually) then you are justified in using a gun for protection. Just remember there are prosecutors out there that would love to put anyone who even threatens someone with a gun in jail just to booster their own career. The Florida legislature is currently debating a new law that would prevent zealous prosecutors from doing that. It's called HB-89 Threat of Force.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by MikeV

Those of you who post that you do not own a gun are telling the criminals to target your home. I would not shoot at someone who broke into my home but I surely would point a gun at them. I believe most criminals when confronted by an armed person will retreat. That is the purpose of pointing the gun. That said, if a burglar then threatens you or anyone else in your home or is armed (not usually) then you are justified in using a gun for protection. Just remember there are prosecutors out there that would love to put anyone who even threatens someone with a gun in jail just to booster their own career. The Florida legislature is currently debating a new law that would prevent zealous prosecutors from doing that. It's called HB-89 Threat of Force.

These are all good points. I seem to fall on both sides of this gun issue. I hope we posters never have to prove ourselves right or wrong.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by MikeV

Those of you who post that you do not own a gun are telling the criminals to target your home. I would not shoot at someone who broke into my home but I surely would point a gun at them. I believe most criminals when confronted by an armed person will retreat. That is the purpose of pointing the gun. That said, if a burglar then threatens you or anyone else in your home or is armed (not usually) then you are justified in using a gun for protection. Just remember there are prosecutors out there that would love to put anyone who even threatens someone with a gun in jail just to booster their own career. The Florida legislature is currently debating a new law that would prevent zealous prosecutors from doing that. It's called HB-89 Threat of Force.

A few years ago at Lake Sumter Landing, a man was waiting for a car to back out of a parking space and another car sped into the parking space. The one who was waiting had a concealed pistol with a permit. The two got into a verbal situation and the first guy opens up his jacket and shows the pistol to the second guy. He called 911 and guy 1 ends up in jail on assault with a deadly weapon.

[graciegirl]

The gunners and the non gunners can debate until the cows come home. Both sides are sincere good people and they have reasonable views and adamant opinions.


I was told that the stand your grand law passed here in Florida because so many people would rent cars after arriving on an airplane and the crooks would recognize the rental cars and the fact that you could not carry a fire arm on an airplane and follow those people and target them.


There are good arguments for both sides, and reasons for the abuse of both opinions.


I try to keep an open mind.

[NoMoSno]

Originally Posted by buggyone

A few years ago at Lake Sumter Landing, a man was waiting for a car to back out of a parking space and another car sped into the parking space. The one who was waiting had a concealed pistol with a permit. The two got into a verbal situation and the first guy opens up his jacket and shows the pistol to the second guy. He called 911 and guy 1 ends up in jail on assault with a deadly weapon.

What Mike described was someone in his house attempting to rob him.

What you described is called "brandishing" which is not legal.
He was rightfully charged and lost his permit permanently.

[Bogie Shooter]

But soon in place of brandishing, Florida will have a warning shot. Bullets will be flying everywhere................................

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

But soon in place of brandishing, Florida will have a warning shot. Bullets will be flying everywhere................................

When bullets go up in the air, they come down with enough force to kill someone. I wonder how that will go in the debate procedure.