# Ok, if I shouldn't \_shoot\_ the intruder, then...? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 19, 2009, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060 "2009-01-19T23:15:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 22
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/421 "2009-01-21T20:02:56Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > Have you ever tried calling the police? My dad just did recently called the police to his home and they were there in just a very few minutes. However, if you at least try to come to a less violent resolution by using gunfire as a l_ast resort_, people will tend to think you less blood thirsty. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/422 "2009-01-21T20:03:11Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > Yeah, we’ll assume that everyone who steals WILL EVENTUALLY KILL YOUR FAMILY. Because that’s what the statistics show, right? > > Nope…sorry. The sentence was written correctly the first time. Okay. You **risk** your family by not taking adequette steps to protect them against someone who obviously has no regard for the law, I read their …tells, when they broke into my home, and I could see they obviously don’t respect others rights. I’ll **protect** my family. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/423 "2009-01-21T20:05:52Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > My dad just did recently called the police to his home and they were there in just a very few minutes. However, if you at least try to come to a less violent resolution by using gunfire as a l_ast resort_, people will tend to think you less blood thirsty. I hope most folks think I am so blood thirsty and crazy that Hannibal Lecter would shit his pants if forced to enter my house. These damn LDSers and Girl Scouts are getting on my nerves. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/424 "2009-01-21T20:07:45Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Look, the whole idea of defending your turf has been around a very long time. When there really were marauding bands of cut-throats roaming the lands, people built fortified homes with moats around them. They didn’t rely on dealing with the threat once their defences were breached. By then, it was probably way too late. Till some liberal court took away their right to own a moat, no longer obviously being neccessary to maintaing a proper malitia 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/425 "2009-01-21T20:10:01Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > My dad just did recently called the police to his home and they were there in just a very few minutes. However, if you at least try to come to a less violent resolution by using gunfire as a l_ast resort_, people will tend to think you less blood thirsty. So get up, get, get get down 911 is a joke in yo town Get up, get, get, get down Late 911 wears the late crown ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/426 "2009-01-21T20:10:47Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > My dad just did recently called the police to his home and they were there in just a very few minutes. However, if you at least try to come to a less violent resolution by using gunfire as a l_ast resort_, people will tend to think you less blood thirsty. And what about those of us who live 20 minutes, minimum, from the nearest police station? ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/427 "2009-01-21T20:15:32Z")
My friend, the one that had the crazy guy pounding on his door? He told me that a few weeks later that his neighbors (some college kids) were having a party and they were throwing things at his dogs in the backyard. He called the cops, but this time he told them that he saw someone who was obviously drunk and they were about to get into a car and drive away. Almost before he hung up the phone, lights and siren went off and a cop was there in less than a minute. He was pissed that there was apparently no drunk drivers to bust, but he was there pretty damned quickly. Now, is it just odd circumstance that when he felt that his life was threatened, the cops took almost a half hour to get there, but when the call was about a potential bust of a drunk driver it took less than a minute? Hard to say. I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt; chances are the cop in the latter situation just happened to be in the area. The point, however, is that there is no guarantee that a cop will get there in time to deal with the situation effectively. Could be a minute, could be a half hour. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/428 "2009-01-21T20:17:12Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Look, the whole idea of defending your turf has been around a very long time. When there really were marauding bands of cut-throats roaming the lands, people built fortified homes with moats around them. They didn’t rely on dealing with the threat once their defences were breached. By then, it was probably way too late. They didn’t rely entirely on passive defenses, either. Those crenellations weren’t just there to look pretty, you know. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/429 "2009-01-21T20:19:34Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > My dad just did recently called the police to his home and they were there in just a very few minutes. However, if you at least try to come to a less violent resolution by using gunfire as a l_ast resort_, people will tend to think you less blood thirsty. I HAD my neighbor call the police when I told him I was going to likely shot someone. He even saw the load gun I was going to use. Actual shots were fired. The police showed up 10 to 20 minutes AFTER the fact. If you can hold out for that long, have at it. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/430 "2009-01-21T20:22:50Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > The point, however, is that there is no guarantee that a cop will get there in time to deal with the situation effectively. Could be a minute, could be a half hour. Yeah, but if they take more than 20 minutes, you get free breadsticks and dipping sauce. Yummy! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/431 "2009-01-21T20:24:50Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > Yeah, but if they take more than 20 minutes, you get free breadsticks and dipping sauce. Yummy! 🙂 You pussy. I would want more ammo and better guns so I can KILL KILL KILL! NASCAR! ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/432 "2009-01-21T20:25:57Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > They didn’t rely entirely on passive defenses, either. Those crenellations weren’t just there to look pretty, you know. Yes, well we’ve got over firing cannons at people just because they looked threatening at the bottom of your garden. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/433 "2009-01-21T20:40:51Z")
> [@Todderbob](#): > > And what about those of us who live 20 minutes, minimum, from the nearest police station? There are these things called Patrol Cars. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/434 "2009-01-21T20:43:47Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > I HAD my neighbor call the police when I told him I was going to likely shot someone. He even saw the load gun I was going to use. > > Actual shots were fired. > > The police showed up 10 to 20 minutes AFTER the fact. > > If you can hold out for that long, have at it. I’ve managed to live 53 years without owning a gun, and the guns my husband has are locked up and unusable in an emergency. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/435 "2009-01-21T20:47:55Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I’ve managed to live 53 years without owning a gun, and the guns my husband has are locked up and unusable in an emergency. Unless your point is that everybody must be like you, so what? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/436 "2009-01-21T20:50:19Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > There are these things called Patrol Cars. And it took 10 to 20 minutes for one to come check out who I, Bloodthirsty gun tooting and gun shooting BILL, WHO HAD SOMEONE CALL THE COPS, was shooting at. This call the cops thing is mostly theorectical crap until response times are virtually guaranteed to be VERY short period of time. If YOU wanna wait. Good luck. I’ll do what I have to until the calvary arrives. And I sure as heck won’t pass judgement on someone else does as well. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/437 "2009-01-21T20:50:54Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I’ve managed to live 53 years without owning a gun, and the guns my husband has are locked up and unusable in an emergency. … Does he keep the spare tire for the car in the garage under lock and key as well? ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/438 "2009-01-21T20:52:17Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I’ve managed to live 53 years without owning a gun, and the guns my husband has are locked up and unusable in an emergency. I’ve NEVER ever OWNED a gun. So? And I believe in capping someones ass if neccessary. I think I am standing on higher moral ground than you. ---
**Author:** ![Cuckoorex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Cuckoorex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cuckoorex)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/439 "2009-01-21T20:59:40Z")
**Kalhoun** You know, you’re not a bad person for wanting to minimize bloodshed whenever possible. But it really gets insulting when you seem to insist that anyone willing to use or willing to advocate use of a gun to defend their property is some kind of bloodthirsty murderer who just wants even the slightest excuse to empty a clip into Lil Billy. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/440 "2009-01-21T21:04:05Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > two scenarios > > Universe : Too Bad, so Sad > > Judge : We find that you were in fact confronted by a criminal brandishing a gun and had no reasonable choice but to fire on him before he fired on you. Therefore, we find you not guilty of any crime and are free to go. > > Homeowner : Thank you your honor. I would like to say I did not enjoy doing so, and if I had felt I had had any other reasonable response that would have NOT lead to his death I would have taken it. My heart goes out to any friends and family he may have had. > > Universe : “Vigilante” > > Judge : We find in fact that you were confronted by criminal brandishing a gun and had no reasonable choice but to fire on him before he fired on you. Therefore we find you not guilty of any crime and are free to go. > > Soldier of Fortune Spokesmodel : Thanks Judge! Yeee Fucking Haw. That night was the best damn night of my life. I’ve been waiting and training for it for years. I know one day some dumbass lowlife would be stupid enough to try to break into my fortress and steal my priceless hummel collection. Hell, I had a orgasm as I fired the first shoot. Hot dog, anybody want my porn collection? I don’t need it no more. I’ll just relive this night over and over again. > Darwin wins! Weep and cry you moo foo’s out there. O"Tools bar around the corner! Booze is on me! > > Assuming the same facts in either universe. Either outcome is perfectly fine by me “justice wise”. goddammit Bill, that made me laugh so hard I spit soda on my desk. 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060.md?page=21) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060.md?page=23)