# Is it legal to boobytrap your own property? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 4, 2013, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425 "2013-12-04T02:04:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/21 "2013-12-04T18:55:03Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Duly noted and filed appropriately. So circular file, possibly under the “round objects” header ? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/22 "2013-12-04T19:02:10Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > May I use that? > 🙂 Freely. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/23 "2013-12-04T19:10:54Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > WTF are “wooses” You know, massive, long-bodied ungulates, huge antlers, distantly related to minks, fond of raiding chicken coops… ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/24 "2013-12-04T19:18:24Z")
> [@The Great Sun Jester](#): > > You know, massive, long-bodied ungulates, huge antlers, distantly related to minks, fond of raiding chicken coops… Oh, yeah? How do they get through the little bitty chicken coop door with “massive antlers”, then? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/25 "2013-12-04T19:27:26Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Going back to Katko v. Briney, were either of them charged with a criminal offense? If not, why not? In one of the threads I linked to above, they mentioned People v. Ceballos as an influential criminal case on the subject. [http://scocal.stanford.edu/opinion/people-v-ceballos-22964](http://scocal.stanford.edu/opinion/people-v-ceballos-22964) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/26 "2013-12-04T19:38:25Z")
> [@For You](#): > > More importantly, emergency services do have a right to enter your property without your permission – because you might be unable to give them permission at a time when you need help. For this reason alone, booby trapping is usually illegal. If your traps were, for instance, to seriously maim or kill a firefighter, you would be in a dreadful world of hurt. There was a case some years ago of [McComb v. Connaghan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McComb_v._Connaghan), where the shop-owner who set a booby-trap which killed someone got considerable public support, with unintended consequences for at least one of his supporters: > [@](#): > > Despite being a loss, however, the case brought overwhelming support for Mr. Connaghan from local residents, who said they were fed up with crime.\*\* After the shooting, some people began putting up signs which stated that their businesses were booby trapped in order to deter burglars\*\*. Unfortunately, this led to concern among police officers and firefighters who said they could not enter such buildings until they were determined to be safe. **One business that had such a sign and no booby trap was destroyed by fire after firefighters refused to enter.** ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/27 "2013-12-04T19:40:38Z")
> [@Doggo](#): > > In the brave new PC world we live in probably/ definitely NOT legal. After all, the bad people that would steal from and hurt us are just poor misunderstood darlings. > > Just be glad that you live in a country where you can still shoot a bad person if he threatens your life. > Where I come from, the wooses have taken away our right to even have a handgun. **Doggo** , if by chance you’re posting from the UK, you should be aware that England’s been “PC” on [this issue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring-gun) for close to two centuries. 😛 > [@](#): > > Since 1827, spring-guns and all man-traps are illegal in England. Spring-guns are sometimes used to trap animals. > [@](#): > ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/28 "2013-12-04T19:41:13Z")
So where do fences adorned with barbs or razors fall in this? Or aggressive dogs? How are these legal when other indiscriminate instruments are not. ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/29 "2013-12-04T19:59:11Z")
I believe aggressive dogs will indeed get their owner in trouble should they attack people they weren’t supposed to (the owner being entirely responsible for anything their pet does). Fences topped with razor wire or sharp glass however will only harm people who try to climb over them, which precludes most lawful purposes so it’s probably assumed to be a discriminating factor. They’re also typically not hidden or camouflaged, quite the opposite, so there’s that. But IANAL. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/30 "2013-12-04T19:59:34Z")
> [@Pleonast](#): > > So where do fences adorned with barbs or razors fall in this? Or aggressive dogs? How are these legal when other indiscriminate instruments are not. Fence will probably get taken apart with bolt cutters, dog probably subdued or killed and owner fined. They are more or less visible hazards, compared to traps, which are by nature concealed. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/31 "2013-12-04T20:01:50Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Oh, yeah? > How do they get through the little bitty chicken coop door with “massive antlers”, then? > :dubious: Really. Long. Sticky. Tongues. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/32 "2013-12-04T20:07:58Z")
> [@The Great Sun Jester](#): > > Really. Long. Sticky. Tongues. Great. Now I’m going to have nightmares about wooses or woosen, whatever the plural is. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/33 "2013-12-04T20:21:26Z")
But why would you keep your right to own a handgun in a chicken coop? ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/34 "2013-12-04T20:21:31Z")
Woosi. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/35 "2013-12-04T20:23:52Z")
Weese, obviously. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/36 "2013-12-04T20:30:25Z")
Good Lord, man, I’ve got to know what to holler while I am searching for a firearm! ---
**Author:** ![Gray\_Ghost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c0e974/32.png) [@Gray\_Ghost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gray_Ghost)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/37 "2013-12-04T21:17:11Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > **Doggo** , if by chance you’re posting from the UK, you should be aware that England’s been “PC” on [this issue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring-gun) for close to two centuries. 😛 You’re an attorney, IIRC, so I’m sure you’re right. But I’m reading Blackstone’s commentaries on criminal law and it mentions the [Offences Against the Person Act of 1861](http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/24-25/100/contents/enacted), which addresses Spring Guns at [section 31](http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/24-25/100/crossheading/acts-causing-or-tending-to-cause-danger-to-life-or-bodily-harm-setting-spring-guns-c-with-intent-to-inflict-grievous-bodily-harm/enacted). I quote: > [@](#): > > Whosoever shall set or place, or cause to be set or placed, any Spring Gun, Man Trap, or other Engine calculated to destroy Human Life or inflict grievous bodily Harm, with the Intent that the same or whereby the same may destroy or inflict grievous bodily Harm upon a Trespasser or other Person coming in contact therewith, shall be guilty of a Misdemeanor… > > …Provided also, that nothing in this Section shall be deemed to make it unlawful to set or place or cause to be set or placed, or to be continued set or placed, from Sunset to Sunrise, any Spring Gun, Man Trap, or other Engine, which shall be set or placed, or caused or continued to be set or placed, in a Dwelling House, for the Protection thereof. Which tends to make me think that, in 1861 in the U.K., Spring Guns were fine, provided they were set in a Dwelling House, and it was after dark. I’ve got to imagine it’s since been changed, but when did it happen? Or am I misinterpreting the statute? FWIW, Blackstone’s Commentaries on the Laws of England, which I recommend to anyone who loves the letter, “f”, mentions [that the remedy for ordinary trespass is a civil one](http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/blackstone_bk3ch12.asp), and presumably not including setting a pitfall for the offender. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/38 "2013-12-04T21:39:01Z")
Man traps that are just alarms now, for the sleeping property owner, are legal and could be converted to saving the life of you and your family if all hell broke loose and no policeman would answer your call due to nobody cares anymore scenario, right? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2013, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/39 "2013-12-04T22:51:34Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > **Doggo** , if by chance you’re posting from the UK, you should be aware that England’s been “PC” on [this issue](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring-gun) for close to two centuries. 😛 I reckon “PC world” to him could be any point in time this side of Mesopotamia. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2013, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425/40 "2013-12-05T00:58:26Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Good Lord, man, I’ve got to know what to holler while I am searching for a firearm! Bad plan. They are like cockroaches, if you see one, do not even try to imagine how many there really are about the area. And loud, sharp noises attract them in droves, never try to shoot a woose with a gun, you will be in for a world of hurt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-boobytrap-your-own-property/675425.md?page=3)