TV news broadcast runs Shoot or Don't Shoot video

[G.C.Montgomery]

There's a new video tonight. It's a no-brainer for y'all.
http://www.kwes.com/Global/story.asp?S=6123408

May be I missed something...I couldn't see or find a video. I see the news article and I see the poll but not the video.

[Mithras61]

There's a new video tonight. It's a no-brainer for y'all.
http://www.kwes.com/Global/story.asp?S=6123408

May be I missed something...I couldn't see or find a video. I see the news article and I see the poll but not the video.

I believe it's just a scenario question...

There's a prowler with a screwdriver in your living room: Shoot/No Shoot?

[G.C.Montgomery]

There's a new video tonight. It's a no-brainer for y'all.
http://www.kwes.com/Global/story.asp?S=6123408

May be I missed something...I couldn't see or find a video. I see the news article and I see the poll but not the video.

I believe it's just a scenario question...

There's a prowler with a screwdriver in your living room: Shoot/No Shoot?

Ugh...That's no good. Not to sound like a demon...err, Democrat, but there isn't enough information to make such a decision. Is he or isn't he facing me? Has he manifested intent to do me or anyone else harm by his actions or language? Do I really believe there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury to me or a third party? Possession of a screwdriver while breaking and entering alone doesn't quite meet the standards to justify ventilation IMHO.

[srothstein]

There's a new video tonight. It's a no-brainer for y'all.
http://www.kwes.com/Global/story.asp?S=6123408

May be I missed something...I couldn't see or find a video. I see the news article and I see the poll but not the video.

I clicked on the picture in the news headline and a new window opened with the video.

Wife heard noises, husband went to check (without grabbing the gun first), burglar (that they call a prowler) in the living room threatens him with a screwdriver, forces husband onto floor. Wife hears yelling, calls 911 (but doesn't give them all info, like address or what she heard), grabs gun from drawer and goes to check. Husband is yelling at her to shoot the burglar, burglar is yelling at her to not shoot and drop the gun while still pointing screwdriver at husband (about 5 feet away, burglar standing, husband sitting on floor). Should wife shoot or not.

[G.C.Montgomery]

There's a new video tonight. It's a no-brainer for y'all.
http://www.kwes.com/Global/story.asp?S=6123408

May be I missed something...I couldn't see or find a video. I see the news article and I see the poll but not the video.

I clicked on the picture in the news headline and a new window opened with the video.

Wife heard noises, husband went to check (without grabbing the gun first), burglar (that they call a prowler) in the living room threatens him with a screwdriver, forces husband onto floor. Wife hears yelling, calls 911 (but doesn't give them all info, like address or what she heard), grabs gun from drawer and goes to check. Husband is yelling at her to shoot the burglar, burglar is yelling at her to not shoot and drop the gun while still pointing screwdriver at husband (about 5 feet away, burglar standing, husband sitting on floor). Should wife shoot or not.

Just tried it again...the picture of the wife with a gun wasn't there at all when I looked earlier. Now, having watched the video...Can we just line up all the bad actors and execute them now?

In all seriousness, that one seems to be an easier call. Again, bad tactics seem to complicate things unnecessarily. But for purposes of this discussion, at the point the burglar made stabbing motions with the screwdriver, I'd call that manifested intent along with means (the driver) and opportunity (close proximity) that present an immediate threat of serious injury or death...Three out of three green lights mean we start igniting primers and launching bullets. Shoot him to the ground if needed but do remember that if the entry wound, exit wound and the hole in the floor line up vertically, it's probably one shot too many. I think KBCraig was the one who posted that line a few months back.

Edited to add: On the Monday morning after the shooting, I'm sure it can also be argued that she could command the burglar to leave at gunpoint. I might give one verbal command to drop the driver and leave...I default back to my earlier diagnosis. I see an imminent threat of serious injury or death by means of a screwdriver. An apparent threat of deadly force with a deadly weapon in hand should be met with deadly force. It is not my job to get the burglar to court. It is my job to protect my wife and myself from the burglar's imminent attempt to use unlawful deadly force against me or my wife. I think deadly force is reasonble in this case.

[zigzag]

I saw the video. Even watching it makes me crinch of how scary it is to see somebody inside ones own home. If i was the guy there is no hesitation. It be full mag emptying until threat is no longer a threat.

[Mithras61]

There's a new video tonight. It's a no-brainer for y'all.
http://www.kwes.com/Global/story.asp?S=6123408

May be I missed something...I couldn't see or find a video. I see the news article and I see the poll but not the video.

I clicked on the picture in the news headline and a new window opened with the video.

Wife heard noises, husband went to check (without grabbing the gun first), burglar (that they call a prowler) in the living room threatens him with a screwdriver, forces husband onto floor. Wife hears yelling, calls 911 (but doesn't give them all info, like address or what she heard), grabs gun from drawer and goes to check. Husband is yelling at her to shoot the burglar, burglar is yelling at her to not shoot and drop the gun while still pointing screwdriver at husband (about 5 feet away, burglar standing, husband sitting on floor). Should wife shoot or not.

Okay, that video wasn't present before when I went either. I agree with y'all that its a shoot situation. Considering that its night, he's threatening her and her husband with the screwdriver and has forced entry, I think the threat is clearly imminent and deadly force is being used, so whether or not to shoot seems clear to me.

Question: Do we have any requirement to try and fend someone like this critter off with a threat & verbal challenge (e.g. - "Beat it or I'll shoot"), or can we respond to his threat with deadly force immediately?

[Paladin]

There's a new video tonight. It's a no-brainer for y'all.
http://www.kwes.com/Global/story.asp?S=6123408

I liked this one better.

Burglar who broke into my house at night with my property in his pocket, armed with a makeshift weapon, and holding my spouse hostage...

Clearly a 2+2 situation in my book. More if that doesn't 'stop' him.

[GlockenHammer]

Much better than the last video because the answer didn't change depending on when you stopped the action to make your decision. Clearly that perp gets as many rounds as it takes so that he is not able to harm us. The rest are saved for his possible accomplice(s) elsewhere nearby.

The folks who've answered the poll question seem to agree--93% said shoot. I wonder what the other 7% were thinking...

[Paladin]

The folks who've answered the poll question seem to agree--93% said shoot. I wonder what the other 7% were thinking...

The other 7% are the ones we really don't want on our grand jury. Clueless.

[zigzag]

If a burglar is inside my house in what manner or form, I have no hesitation to shoot unless he runs quick. If he is the one in the video shown, that would be a no brainer.

[Venus Pax]

I'm not entering my house if I suspect a critter has broken in (and I don't mean my personal furry critters).
However, if I enter and one is there already, or if they break in while I'm home, it would be unwise to assume they are there for a reading lesson.
(Also, see signature line.)