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Well Officer, I was on my land practicing with my shotgun when these 2 upstanding pillars of the community drove onto my property and tried to steal my trailer.

I think the OP did alright. I know some of you city folk might find this amazing but there are parts of the State where you can discharge a firearm on your own property. Besides, if this is 5 acres of land, those shotgun blasts are going to hit the ground before they leave his property line.

Though I don't like giving warning shots, I would prefer the 1st shot be the one that stops all confrontation and preferably kills the BG.

I mean no disrespect but I strongly suggest that you fully consider your own behavior before carrying a concealed weapon. It could take you down a path best avoided.

Mr.Scott wrote:Well Officer, I was on my land practicing with my shotgun when these 2 upstanding pillars of the community drove onto my property and tried to steal my trailer.

I think the OP did alright. I know some of you city folk might find this amazing but there are parts of the State where you can discharge a firearm on your own property. Besides, if this is 5 acres of land, those shotgun blasts are going to hit the ground before they leave his property line.

Though I don't like giving warning shots, I would prefer the 1st shot be the one that stops all confrontation and preferably kills the BG.

Dont you mean stop the BG?

I fired one shot over his vehicle... and I fired another over their vehicle... but it is not worth killing someone over a theft, but it would be if they had used deadly force.

Yeah... sounds like an excuse for bad aim!


In all seriousness, I would had shot em both. I hate thievery. Maybe they'll think twice when they know their lives are at stake too, not just their freedom.

nemesis wrote:I mean no disrespect but I strongly suggest that you fully consider your own behavior before carrying a concealed weapon. It could take you down a path best avoided.

Agree - and/but - that shotgun has nothing to do with a CHL nor does it even meet the definition of handgun (PC 46.01(5) -- "Handgun" means any firearm that is designed. made, or adapted to be fired with one hand.) unless you have considerably modified it or it was made like this one http://www.impactguns.com/store/SER-SS12.html.

Mr.Scott wrote:I know some of you city folk might find this amazing but there are parts of the State where you can discharge a firearm on your own property. Besides, if this is 5 acres of land, those shotgun blasts are going to hit the ground before they leave his property line.

Shooting on your land, regardless of the acreage, is different than shooting at someone.

I also don't understand why the OP said he fired "warning shots." A "warning shot" is usually given to prevent a crime from happening. In this case the deed was already done and the BGs were driving away. What was he being warning against, driving away too slowly?

P.S. To Couzin. Nemesis is talking about the laws concerning the use of deadly force which apply to concealed handguns as well as shotguns and other deadly weapons. I think Tallinthesaddle has had a lot to think about lately.

warning shots are a waste of ammo. I would have either shot the radiator or the tires to stop them.

WildBill wrote:P.S. To Couzin. Nemesis is talking about the laws concerning the use of deadly force which apply to concealed handguns as well as shotguns and other deadly weapons. I think Tallinthesaddle has had a lot to think about lately.

I was agreeing with Nemesis - my reference was regarding the thread starting by "Got my CHL today and 3 hours later my first incident!". I was affeared that the poster was thinking the CHL was a justification for use of the shotgun or, in general, the throwing of shots at someone (deadly force). Then the post went into the use of a shotgun - which, unless the shotgun does meet the definition of 'handgun' - is a different animal. Sorry for my confusing post - brain cells kinda short out once in a while...

couzin wrote:

WildBill wrote:P.S. To Couzin. Nemesis is talking about the laws concerning the use of deadly force which apply to concealed handguns as well as shotguns and other deadly weapons. I think Tallinthesaddle has had a lot to think about lately.

I was agreeing with Nemesis - my reference was regarding the thread starting by "Got my CHL today and 3 hours later my first incident!". I was affeared that the poster was thinking the CHL was a justification for use of the shotgun or, in general, the throwing of shots at someone (deadly force). Then the post went into the use of a shotgun - which, unless the shotgun does meet the definition of 'handgun' - is a different animal. Sorry for my confusing post - brain cells kinda short out once in a while...

I was confused about your meaning. Now that I understand, it looks like we're all in agreement.

Why did you just walk over there and talk to them?

well, congratulations, you have committed a 3rd degree felony, and admitted to it in a public internet forum. (pc 22.05 b)

The only time you have a defense to prosecution regarding shooting someone as you have described is if it is at night, and you believe that the only way that your huge trailer with identification plates and serial numbers can be recovered is by killing a human. You can technically shoot a 10 year old while running away after stealing your rake at night if you think that's the only way to get it back, but is it really worth it? (pc 9.42)

needless to say, what you did was unwarranted, unnecessary, unjustified, and most of all... A FELONY!!!!!

oh, and your wife is also in trouble for pc 38.171

Have a safe night.

Wildscar wrote:I agree with that the two warning shots were not necessary. However what bugs me the most is that you had to load your shotgun first. Why happens when you need it and don’t have time to load it? Do you carry you Pistol unloaded too?

More to the point, why leave the trailer loaded if not the shotgun?

AJSully421 wrote:well, congratulations, you have committed a 3rd degree felony, and admitted to it in a public internet forum. (pc 22.05 b)

The only time you have a defense to prosecution regarding shooting someone as you have described is if it is at night, and you believe that the only way that your huge trailer with identification plates and serial numbers can be recovered is by killing a human. You can technically shoot a 10 year old while running away after stealing your rake at night if you think that's the only way to get it back, but is it really worth it? (pc 9.42)

needless to say, what you did was unwarranted, unnecessary, unjustified, and most of all... A FELONY!!!!!

oh, and your wife is also in trouble for pc 38.171

Have a safe night.

She didn't commit 38.171 as she knew those who he fired towards were not hit.

I'm not sure how "illegal" the OPs actions were but I do think I would have done things differantly.

I think he meant so say that the shotgun didn't have one chambered. But I agree if the didn't have any rounds in it at all

Mr.Scott wrote:Well Officer, I was on my land practicing with my shotgun when these 2 upstanding pillars of the community drove onto my property and tried to steal my trailer.

I think the OP did alright. I know some of you city folk might find this amazing but there are parts of the State where you can discharge a firearm on your own property. Besides, if this is 5 acres of land, those shotgun blasts are going to hit the ground before they leave his property line.

Though I don't like giving warning shots, I would prefer the 1st shot be the one that stops all confrontation and preferably kills the BG.

Agreed...I live in the country as well and see nothing wrong with firing a shotgun in the air to get someones attention!