Self defense question

[JSF]

This has nothing to do with me fellas ive been on a drilling rig the last week its just a scenario ......bc I was curious if you can pull your weapon if someone is going to attack you and you do not feel like you can match the person physically and are afraid for them to get their hands on your weapon. .....im 140 lbs and meaner than a wildcat and im a natural biter so im good just worried about some of you other guys

[medic151]

Good choice in my opinion. The threatening manner in which he came at you is the kicker. I would have done the same.

[Curtis32]

I would say you were guilty but I'm not a lawyer.

[CPR09]

The question here would be whether or not the aforementioned cooler was a yeti. If so then by all means, empty the magazine.

[Charles]

Ask that Zimmerman fella

[EastTXHunter]

Dead men Dont talk...just saying...

[sniper steve]

If you felt there was an imminent threat to life, limb, property, or an innocent third party, you have the right to use force, up to and including deadly force. You do NOT have to wait until he has put his hands on you to defend yourself. Technically, stealing the cooler out of your truck would justify using deadly force, as per the Castle Doctrine, but as others have said, I'd rather let the man take the cooler, he obviously needs it more than I do. Him coming at you shows imminent danger to yourself, and again would technically give you the right to self defense. But then comes the legal battle...

I have been carrying for eight years now, have drawn my weapon three times. First was a group of guys attempting to steal my motorcycle out of the back of my truck, right outside Fort Hood. Called the police, the responding officers told me I had the right to shoot, as long as they were on my property. They came back three hours later, I was waiting. I had a man dead to rights with my .40, just couldn't morally justify shooting a man over a motorcycle. The sight of the pistol alone was enough to make them all change their minds.

Second time was in Wisconsin, last July 4. An intoxicated man crashed into the bushes in my front yard, attempting to "park" to watch the fireworks on the lake. When I told him he had to move his truck, he rushed me, jumped on the rail of my porch, where he encountered the business end of my Kahr P9. Again, the man quickly changed his mind, jumped off my deck, and was promptly arrested by a passing officer on a bicycle who witnessed the entire thing. I had to fill out a statement, but it was considered justified. And the guy had to buy me a new bush for my front yard...

Just a few weeks ago, I was driving and saw a lady I know walking her two small dogs. A pit bull had one of the dogs in it's mouth, the other was dead, and the lady had been bitten. I stopped, got out, and the dog turned towards me. I ended up shooting and killing the dog. The police took my pistol, but no charges filed. My pistol was returned last week, the shooting found to be justified.

Carrying a weapon comes with great responsibility, both legally and morally. I technically could have shot men, twice. I just can't justify with myself killing a man over property that can be replaced. I have been to combat, and fully know the moral weight of killing a man. I live with it every day of my life.

Best advice would be to use your head, and not get trigger happy. Just because you can doesnt always mean you should. Once that round leaves the barrel, you can't take it back. And if you do end up shooting a man, you WILL go in front of the Grand Jury, no matter the circumstances. You will have to defend yourself as to why you defended yourself. Not a mess you want to get caught up in, unless absolutely necessary.

As my dad always used to tell me, if it ever comes time you have to shoot a man, you will know it's time. And if you do shoot, shoot to kill. Stay safe.

[Cam-Mac]

[ATTACH]514383[/ATTACH]

[Mike D]

In my opinion, I'd say you were well within in your rights and the law.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/InternetForms/Forms/CHL-16.pdf

Deadly force is justified to prevent the imminent commission of aggravated kidnapping, murder, sexual assault, robbery and aggravated robbery.


PENAL CODE

PC §30.05. CRIMINAL TRESPASS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person enters or remains on or in property of another, including residential land, agricultural land, a recreational vehicle park, a building, or an aircraft or other vehicle, without effective consent and the person:
(1) had notice that the entry was forbidden; or
(2) received notice to depart but failed to do so. (b) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Entry” means the intrusion of the entire body. (2) “Notice” means:
(A) oral or written communication by the owner or someone with apparent authority to act for the owner;

This does not apply here and he was not robbed. There is a difference between robbery and burglary as Daniel pointed out.

Also, just because you pull your weapon does not mean you have to shoot.

[Ghost Animation]

Its not shooting someone over a cooler. Its shooting someone to protect yourself. The thief could have run away after being caught red handed but didn't. Instead he came towards you to hurt you. You already have a gun on your person so any fight you may get into is a life or death situation. An attacker during a fight could discover your armed and try to take it to use on you. From the beginning of the altercation the level was already potentualy life threating. That is why all confrontations, for CHL holders, must be done done with wisdom. Should I confont or call the police. Heck. Have the police on the phone when you confront so everything is recorded and monitord by dispatch.

[randal]

The scenario is that he didn't have a gun. Stay within the parameters of the scenario. He is stealing a cooler. Is it worth taking a life for a cooler? Because if you break leather, you should be 100% ready to take a life. If not, it is a cooler, let it go. So what he bowed up to you.

I don't care if someone is taking a igloo cooler, all my tools, or a gun from my truck.. My stuff is my stuff and I'm not going to let anyone steel it just cause "it's just a cooler". now I'm not gonna just run up and start shooting but I'm dang sure gonna tell him to get the heck out of my truck and if he wants to take it to the next level then I guess that's where it's going..

[EastTXHunter]

This does not apply here and he was not robbed. There is a difference between robbery and burglary as Daniel pointed out.

Also, just because you pull your weapon does not mean you have to shoot.

It says imminent commission of robbery - if he hadn't charged, I don't know how much more imminent it could get. The owner standing there as belongings are pilfered sure feels like robbery.

[Mertz09]

If you felt there was an imminent threat to life, limb, property, or an innocent third party, you have the right to use force, up to and including deadly force. You do NOT have to wait until he has put his hands on you to defend yourself. Technically, stealing the cooler out of your truck would justify using deadly force, as per the Castle Doctrine, but as others have said, I'd rather let the man take the cooler, he obviously needs it more than I do. Him coming at you shows imminent danger to yourself, and again would technically give you the right to self defense. But then comes the legal battle...

I have been carrying for eight years now, have drawn my weapon three times. First was a group of guys attempting to steal my motorcycle out of the back of my truck, right outside Fort Hood. Called the police, the responding officers told me I had the right to shoot, as long as they were on my property. They came back three hours later, I was waiting. I had a man dead to rights with my .40, just couldn't morally justify shooting a man over a motorcycle. The sight of the pistol alone was enough to make them all change their minds.

Second time was in Wisconsin, last July 4. An intoxicated man crashed into the bushes in my front yard, attempting to "park" to watch the fireworks on the lake. When I told him he had to move his truck, he rushed me, jumped on the rail of my porch, where he encountered the business end of my Kahr P9. Again, the man quickly changed his mind, jumped off my deck, and was promptly arrested by a passing officer on a bicycle who witnessed the entire thing. I had to fill out a statement, but it was considered justified. And the guy had to buy me a new bush for my front yard...

Just a few weeks ago, I was driving and saw a lady I know walking her two small dogs. A pit bull had one of the dogs in it's mouth, the other was dead, and the lady had been bitten. I stopped, got out, and the dog turned towards me. I ended up shooting and killing the dog. The police took my pistol, but no charges filed. My pistol was returned last week, the shooting found to be justified.

Carrying a weapon comes with great responsibility, both legally and morally. I technically could have shot men, twice. I just can't justify with myself killing a man over property that can be replaced. I have been to combat, and fully know the moral weight of killing a man. I live with it every day of my life.

Best advice would be to use your head, and not get trigger happy. Just because you can doesnt always mean you should. Once that round leaves the barrel, you can't take it back. And if you do end up shooting a man, you WILL go in front of the Grand Jury, no matter the circumstances. You will have to defend yourself as to why you defended yourself. Not a mess you want to get caught up in, unless absolutely necessary.

As my dad always used to tell me, if it ever comes time you have to shoot a man, you will know it's time. And if you do shoot, shoot to kill. Stay safe.

Very well said Sir, and thank for your service. Also I'm glad you shot the Pit Bull.

[Javelin]

I don't care if someone is taking a igloo cooler, all my tools, or a gun from my truck.. My stuff is my stuff and I'm not going to let anyone steel it just cause "it's just a cooler". now I'm not gonna just run up and start shooting but I'm dang sure gonna tell him to get the heck out of my truck and if he wants to take it to the next level then I guess that's where it's going..

don't worry about bowhuntntxn, he is just going to let the guy pound him to death instead of shoot back

[Texas Deerman]

Right or wrong it would go to trial and you would be placing your future in the hands of an unpredictable jury. Huge risk IMO.

I hope ya'll are the same skin color.