# Is it possible to shoot someone by accident? Oscar Pistorius shot his girlfriend by mistake. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 14, 2013, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266 "2013-02-14T08:23:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/61 "2013-02-15T16:20:18Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Mrs. Duc came home early last week, maybe 3pm. I’m used to being here alone all day, nice and quiet. The driveway alarm went off, meaning someone has just driven in. The next one went off, meaning someone’s in the parking area near the side door. Since I always answer the door armed, I grabbed a gun in my office, and started for the den, when the door alarm dinged, meaning someone has just entered the back door. > > Shit. My heart rate zoomed, and I rushed the den, only to find my wife putting her purse down and looking sheepish. “Sorry”, she said.:rolleyes: > > Still, I managed not to shoot her, because I determined in about 1/40th of a second that she was not an intruder. It’s really not that hard. You didn’t determine it when she was in the driveway? You didn’t simply call out “who is it?” from your office? Someday when someone notices you haven’t posted in a while, I’m going to find your last post, then search news archives for stories of someone accidentally shooting someone they thought was an intruder on the same day. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/62 "2013-02-15T17:10:57Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Most of my defense-purposed guns have lights on them to help ID my target if it’s dark. Doesn’t that make YOU a much easier target, especially since you’ve shared that online? All someone has to do now is create a diversion, then shoot at the light. I’m no expert, but it seems better to have fixed, battery powered lights in your house. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/63 "2013-02-15T17:29:55Z")
I do love the imagination you guys show when writing the screenplay for my life or house. God forbid I leave out any fucking detail about situations as I pass on an anecdote. There are occasional push-in robberies in my county. A double homicide on my street. I can point to a dozen neighbors who have been burglarized, my home included. Yes, I am cautious about answering my door. Driveway alarm 1 is 40 yards away. Number 2 is in the parking area. The door is another 30 feet from her space. Normally, there’s a rhythm, a timing that indicates someone’s approach. Instead of a normal 60-70 seconds, this went down in under 10. When the door to my house bangs open with no guests expected, 2 seconds after my driveway sensors chime, yeah, I get the feeling something is wrong. Did I don full battle gear, grab an Uzi, and start hosing the den? No. I picked up a revolver, and went straight to my back door. No pointing of weapons, no shouts, no anger. Just readiness that turned out to be unnecessary because she had to pee badly! Do let me know if you need further details of everything I say, do, or think. I have to go to the bathroom now. It’s about [120 square feet](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/ural/misc/Picture29006.jpg), tiled, with a walk-in shower. We use Angel Soft toilet paper, and there are magazines, Calvin & Hobbes books, and Wi-Fi for entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/64 "2013-02-15T17:43:40Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > **Do let me know if you need further details** of everything I say, do, or think. > I have to go to the bathroom now. It’s about [120 square feet](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/ural/misc/Picture29006.jpg), tiled, with a walk-in shower. We use Angel Soft toilet paper, and there are magazines, Calvin & Hobbes books, and Wi-Fi for entertainment. You forgot to tell us the WiFi password… ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/65 "2013-02-15T17:44:29Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > **We use Angel Soft toilet paper** , and there are magazines, Calvin & Hobbes books, and Wi-Fi for entertainment. Over or under? 😃 Bonus points for C&H. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/66 "2013-02-15T17:57:35Z")
It’s TurdFerguson23. And “over”. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/67 "2013-02-15T18:07:32Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > there are magazines, The gun type or the book type? ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/68 "2013-02-15T18:23:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > He’ll present a defense at trial, but it won’t help, because he doesn’t have a leg to stand on. There are legs to stand on but kinda shaky overall. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/69 "2013-02-15T20:03:45Z")
Two possibilities: he pulled the trigger knowing it was his girlfriend, or he pulled the trigger not knowing who he was shooting. In the second case, he was still wrong unless he felt like he was in immediate danger, like the “burglar” was lunging at him or something. Doesn’t sound good. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/70 "2013-02-15T21:10:21Z")
[QUOTE=ducati] Instead of a normal 60-70 seconds, this went down in under 10. {snip} [/QUOTE] Y’all need a “safe word”! [QUOTE=ducati] {snip} Do let me know if you need further details of everything I say, do, or think. {snip} [/QUOTE] Where do you keep the key to your gun locker? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/71 "2013-02-15T21:21:29Z")
> [@control-z](#): > > Two possibilities: he pulled the trigger knowing it was his girlfriend, or he pulled the trigger not knowing who he was shooting. _Multiple times_. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/72 "2013-02-15T23:12:58Z")
> [@AaronX](#): > > The gun type or the book type? [Both](http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/showergun.jpg), silly. > [@Toucanna](#): > > Y’all need a “safe word”! > > Where do you keep the key to your gun locker? 😃 It’s Muskrat! I have [several](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3054/2494510451_8c90c8c1b5.jpg)I keep with me! ---
**Author:** ![eclectic\_wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac91a4/32.png) [@eclectic\_wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eclectic_wench)\ **Post date:** [February 15, 2013, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/73 "2013-02-15T23:19:41Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > Do let me know if you need further details of everything I say, do, or think. Threadjacking, but since you offered…I don’t live in a gun-culture country, and so many things you’ve said (driveway alarms?! answering the door with a gun?!) are so utterly alien to anything I’ve ever known, I’m really interested. Is your approach standard where you are - like, do your neighbours mostly have/do all the same stuff? If not, is there a particular reason why you’re on a higher alert level than they are? ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/74 "2013-02-16T01:40:21Z")
Today he was charged with [premeditated murder](http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/oscar-pistorius-arrives-at-court-for-bail-hearing-in-murder-case-after-girlfriend-shot-dead/2013/02/15/a5c94878-774c-11e2-b102-948929030e64_story.html). They must have some compelling evidence against him. ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/75 "2013-02-16T02:41:10Z")
> [@eclectic\_wench](#): > > Threadjacking, but since you offered…I don’t live in a gun-culture country, and so many things you’ve said (driveway alarms?! answering the door with a gun?!) are so utterly alien to anything I’ve ever known, I’m really interested. Is your approach standard where you are - like, do your neighbours mostly have/do all the same stuff? If not, is there a particular reason why you’re on a higher alert level than they are? As a former LEO, I understand my view of the world is tinted a bit differently from yours. I have seen a world of people, circumstances, attitudes, and hatred that you cannot fathom. I don’t sneak around like a spy, checking my mirror, changing routes to work, or draw a gun when I hear a car backfire. I am just a bit more aware of my surroundings and the people nearby than most folks. Most of my friends are still LEO, and I read a good bit and keep abreast of developments in technology, crime, anti-crime, criminal tactics and so on. I simply know and have learned things you don’t/haven’t and I act on that knowledge as I go through my day. I’m not Jason Bourne leaving carnage in my wake as I go to Piggly Wiggly. I’m just aware of the possibilities that we all face, and plan for them accordingly. I’m a gadget freak, and an emergency preparedness guy by nature. After being hit or hit and run in my truck a few times, I put cameras front and rear. Now when shit happens, I have evidence instead of “my side of the story”. And, frankly, after having been burglarized twice - shame on me - I added more layers to my security system. Any security person will tell you that layers are the key. A fence, open yard, no bushes by the house, motion-sensing lights, and a monitored alarm system are pretty much standard. Big dogs are great. Mine are tiny! I live in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA. While the crime rate is highest in Atlanta, it is still quite high in the surrounding counties, and I’m in one of them. I’m only 15 miles or so, as the crow flies from downtown, so it’s not exactly far and away from the epicenter. Criminals casing houses or the elderly to rob later are not limited to my neck of the woods at all. It’s one of the most common ways thugs assess where to come back to. A quick google check of robberies and home invasions in Atlanta will give you an idea of our problem. It’s not Compton or Johannesburg, but we have issues area-wide. Katrina refugees spiked our stats, and illegals from south of the border make up an enormous percentage of the criminal activity and [arrests](http://www.gwinnettcountysheriff.com/asp/docket48hr.asp)in our county. As a past victim of assault, burglary, and theft, I have decided to mitigate the possibility of further incidents in a pro-active manner, and have taken many precautions to that end. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go put some more lime in the trick-or-treater pit out back. Little bell-ringing bastards are starting to smell with the warm weather we’re having… ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/76 "2013-02-16T16:31:15Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > That’s certainly not a true statement 100% of the time. > > It depends on where you live, but there are plenty of places where you can only shoot a burglar if you are defending yourself or a another person. Using deadly force to defend property is not justified. In the world at large, I’m sure that’s true, and of course this case involves South African law… but since this is a kind of US-centric board, I feel it’s worthwhile to tangentially point out that in the U.S., only five states do not permit you to use deadly force to defend property inside your home. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/77 "2013-02-16T16:33:14Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > In the world at large, I’m sure that’s true, and of course this case involves South African law… but since this is a kind of US-centric board, I feel it’s worthwhile to tangentially point out that in the U.S., only five states do not permit you to use deadly force to defend property inside your home. And in a true tangent, let me point out that the preceding paragraph shows what I believe to be an example of the proper use of the split infinitive. ---
**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:** [February 16, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/78 "2013-02-16T16:55:19Z")
> [@bup](#): > > You didn’t simply call out “who is it?” from your office? What?!? and abandon the tactical element of surprise?!? ---
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/79 "2013-02-16T19:38:59Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > What?!? and abandon the tactical element of surprise?!? Look here, Jokey McJokester - I’m old, fat, and have a bum knee and screws in my spine. Surprise is all I got! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![eclectic\_wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ac91a4/32.png) [@eclectic\_wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eclectic_wench)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2013, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266/80 "2013-02-16T22:40:47Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > As a former LEO, I understand my view of the world is tinted a bit differently… (snipped) That makes it clearer. Thanks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-possible-to-shoot-someone-by-accident-oscar-pistorius-shot-his-girlfriend-by-mistake/650266.md?page=5)