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If the person is leaving, i.e. back is turned to you...don't shoot or your butt is in big trouble.Does this mean that you cannot protect your property in WA or am I just missing something here?
Of course, each situation will be viewed on a case by case basis.devildoc5 wrote:If the person is leaving, i.e. back is turned to you...don't shoot or your butt is in big trouble.Does this mean that you cannot protect your property in WA or am I just missing something here?
w0rd +1devildoc5 wrote:If the person is leaving, i.e. back is turned to you...don't shoot or your butt is in big trouble.Does this mean that you cannot protect your property in WA or am I just missing something here?
Too bad the homeowner was arrested. I have no sympathy for the perps, including the dead one. One of the dangers of criminal activity is you can be shot and killed.
I'll wait until the case is over before making a full judgment on it.Lesson today, once again, is that shooting bad guys outside your home while they are in the process of fleeing from a non-violent crime is NOT legally justified.
If that's the case the homeowner might be justified if he feared of being run down by the truck.Latest news report ?) indicates the perp drove away, as the shooter fired at him,came to a dead end, turned around and came back by the property owner. Th shooter then fired again, hitting the driver in the head.
Bad shoot all the way around. Bad theft any way you look at it.
Does this mean that you cannot protect your property in WA or am I just missing something here?
This seems to be the basis of most defenses when LEO's are doing the shooting. Can be real expensive though, just ask Troy Meade and the City of Everett.Trigger Dr wrote:If that's the case the homeowner might be justified if he feared of being run down by the truck.Latest news report ?) indicates the perp drove away, as the shooter fired at him,came to a dead end, turned around and came back by the property owner. Th shooter then fired again, hitting the driver in the head.
Bad shoot all the way around. Bad theft any way you look at it.
actually it might not apply to this case but you can also shoot to prevent a felony http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.16.050devildoc5 wrote:Does this mean that you cannot protect your property in WA or am I just missing something here?
Yes, I believe you are missing something. The fact that Washington Law only allows a property owner to shoot in Self Defense. If there is no threat, or if the threat has ended (like when the actor is running away), there is no longer the claim of self defense.
I don't like it either but that's the law. As far as I am concerned this is a case where the criminal took his chances and lost. One less criminal loose in society. But I won't be on the Jury so my thoughts don't really matter.
Gun Owners need to make sure they understand the law when it comes to Self Defense or they too run the same risk,
Which state has the best self defense law? ie - would justify a shooting even if the thief is fleeing the property.