Way back in about 1973 I took on a part-time job as an armed security guard in Atlanta.

The instructors drilled into us repeatedly during the training that we could NOT shoot a fleeing felon. No "ifs ands or buts."

The laws in GA may have changed since then but I will not shoot at anyone fleeing.

a chainsaw can be a weapon. not a very good one, but hey, if it helps with defense and mindset. I am not saying theft warrants a death penalty, but we weren't there.

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:
I hate thieve's with a passion but the basic standard is you can't shoot anyone unless you or someone you're with is in a life threatening situation.

That's how I see it too. Especially if they are fleeing with their backs to you.

Liveleak is a cesspool and I'd rather that we didn't post videos from that toilet.

Several years ago I determined human life is more valuable than stuff. Even if that life is low and selfish, I would rather not kill for stuff. This could change if society becomes apocalyptic but for now that is my policy.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
Several years ago I determined human life is more valuable than stuff. Even if that life is low and selfish, ...

I disagree. It's not "just stuff." My "stuff" is stuff that took time out of my life to acquire. When somebody steals from me, they're stealing part of my life. That is not acceptable.

However: The law is the law and I'll abide by it. Thus I would not shoot at a fleeing suspect unless I had reasonable cause to believe he or she posed an imminent threat to others.

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:

I hate thieve's with a passion but the basic standard is you can't shoot anyone unless you or someone you're with is in a life threatening situation.

Doesn't that depend on where you are?

I have been led to believe that Texas law permits you to shoot someone to protect your property. I could be wrong, I don't live in Texas.

That is indeed the law in Texas, and very shortly after it was passed, the law was tested when a guy shot and killed two people who were fleeing having robbed his neighbor's house. One of them was shot in the back. He was not arrested and was no-billed by a grand jury.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...shooting_controversy

Very few states have laws allowing protection of property as justification for use of deadly force.

Texas does indeed allow use of deadly force to protect property, but most especially at nighttime.
So you can shoot to protect your stuff in daylight, and if you shoot at night, there is specific wording in the statute making it a greater certainty that the shooting will be deemed as justified. If the offense is committed 'during hours of darkness' I think is pretty much the wording. And those laws are pretty old if I remember correctly.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
When somebody steals from me, they're stealing part of my life.

Exactly!
A man who was a very strong mentor influence on me pointed out that fact over 50 years ago, and it made an indelible impression on me.

That doesn’t mean I won’t obey the law either, but fact it is and should be more widely recognized.

Here's a screen shot of the video.




The circled portion is where the thief is shot and drops. It takes almost 4-5 seconds for the shooter to catch up to him. I think (IMHO) the premeditation angle is based on the location (literally the middle of the road) and just how far away the guy was.

That, and up-charging.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
I have been led to believe that Texas law permits you to shoot someone to protect your property. I could be wrong, I don't live in Texas.

I thought that even in Texas, this is only legal during night time?

Either way, the cost of a shooting over property almost always far outweighs the actual cost of the property.