# 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:** 1\ **Showing post:** 233
**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, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060/233 "2009-01-21T03:25:53Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > the thing is, if you;re in my house i’m not willing to risk the chance that you aren’t a crazy person. you already said you’d have to be restrained to keep from leaving. What if your path were blocked by me or another family member. most likely my wife would insist on coming with me if we heard a thief…so that ups the chance that i’d be willing ot use lethal force. > > Its a no brainer…if you break into someones house you pretty much deserve it if they harm you. The main point I was trying to make is that a little home security will usually put off all but the most determined thieves, and you’d never have to consider cleaning up blood out of your new sheepskin rug, or possibly having your own spilled. I live in a country where guns are far less easy to get hold of, but if things were different and I was still a burglar, why wouldn’t I take a gun, just in case you’ve got one? The chances of you surprising me are far less than the other way round, as I am operating on heightened senses, and you have probably just woke up! --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-if-i-shouldnt-_shoot_-the-intruder-then/482060)._