# Question on case law for lethal mantraps **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 8, 2012, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-case-law-for-lethal-mantraps/615111 "2012-03-08T03:56:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wizard\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Wizard\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wizard_One)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-case-law-for-lethal-mantraps/615111/21 "2012-03-09T23:24:19Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Someone trapped a few days while the owner is away from home could die of thirst. I’m failing to think of any ‘traps’ which couldn’t cause death under some circumstances. Anybody got an example? I have one sitting next to me, as it arrived today. It’s a tripwire device, which when triggered, releases pepper spray into the air. One would need to go to some extra lengths to consider that a potentially lethal device. I had ordered that device because someone kicked in the back door of my currently vacant house, proceeding to steal whatever they could lay their hands on and cutting copper pipes. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-case-law-for-lethal-mantraps/615111/22 "2012-03-09T23:36:46Z")
> [@Wizard\_One](#): > > I have one sitting next to me, as it arrived today. It’s a tripwire device, which when triggered, releases pepper spray into the air. One would need to go to some extra lengths to consider that a potentially lethal device. > I had ordered that device because someone kicked in the back door of my currently vacant house, proceeding to steal whatever they could lay their hands on and cutting copper pipes. I agree that it’s unlikely to be lethal. Perhaps I’m using the wrong terminology – when I said “trapped” I meant something that is meant to restrain intruders until the owner or police deal with them. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-case-law-for-lethal-mantraps/615111/23 "2012-03-11T21:39:17Z")
> [@BwanaBob](#): > > Okay - no deadly force booby-traps. What about ones that would trap but not injure (like have a heart traps for rodents, except human sized)? > > Surely that should be allowed (assuming the traps are checked, or rigged to call police when activated). False Imprisonment > **[False imprisonment](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_imprisonment)** > > False imprisonment or unlawful imprisonment occurs when a person intentionally restricts another person's movement within any area without legal authority, justification, or the restrained person's permission. > Actual physical restraint is not necessary for false imprisonment to occur. A false imprisonment claim may be made based upon private acts, or upon wrongful governmental detention. > For detention by the police, proof of false imprisonment provides a basis to obtain a writ of habeas cor... ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2012, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-case-law-for-lethal-mantraps/615111/24 "2012-03-11T21:40:28Z")
> [@Wizard\_One](#): > > I have one sitting next to me, as it arrived today. It’s a tripwire device, which when triggered, releases pepper spray into the air. One would need to go to some extra lengths to consider that a potentially lethal device. > I had ordered that device because someone kicked in the back door of my currently vacant house, proceeding to steal whatever they could lay their hands on and cutting copper pipes. Could be common law battery. You aren’t in any physical danger, so self-defense is out. ---
**Author:** ![Wizard\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Wizard\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wizard_One)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2012, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-case-law-for-lethal-mantraps/615111/25 "2012-03-14T02:12:00Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Could be common law battery. You aren’t in any physical danger, so self-defense is out. I considered that, but then, economic defense would be a consideration in a trial, as I DID lose all of my copper pipes in my basement and have a door frame destroyed by the burglars (who, I learned today, were arrested inside of the house, as they foolishly opened the front door and left it open while they were rampaging inside of my house. Indeed, the court would be asked if economic harm of an uninsured person, who has significant health issues is a risk to the injured homeowner and indeed, if the court would find it preferable that I spend nights there, heavily armed. I HAVE considered civil court against the arrested individuals, but when considering the area and “types” of people who do such things, I’d NEVER manage to recover any damages. But, that is an issue that is local in nature, hence, court decisions are a bit different than various other areas of the nation. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/question-on-case-law-for-lethal-mantraps/615111.md?page=1)