[UKShootist]

I have raised this scenario many times in UK forums. It may help to know that I an a retired police officer with 22 years service, and a firearms owner. The scenario, while fictional, is based very firmly in reality. An American perspective would be interesting.

For the purposes of this scenario, assume I'm a single man who has been in a relationship with a person of the female persuasion, and we are considering moving in together. One day she tells me that there may be a problem. A long time back she had a boyfriend who turned out to be a stalking psycho. He is about to be released from prison where he has served seven years for half killing one of her previous boyfriends. He has heard about me, and has said that when he is released his will find me and kill me.

So, one Friday evening I'm at home when I hear someone in the street screaming my name and that he was going to kill me. I look out of the window and see a man with a large machete. I call the police and by massive coincidence they are round the corner. The man hears the two tones and is away over the hill.

The police come and seem me and I explain the situation. They say theres a good chance of catching him over the weekend. I say I will stay at home with doors and windows locked. If he returns I will call the police. In the meantime, I will get a shotgun and a couple of rounds of 00. If he returns I will sit at the top of the stairs with the shotgun. If the man forces entry and starts upstairs, after I've shouted a warning', I'll shoot him.

The question is, what would the police do? Answer, without a shadow of a doubt, is that they would remove all of my firearms from the home.

Your thoughts?

[axxe55]

Originally Posted by UKShootist

I have raised this scenario many times in UK forums. It may help to know that I an a retired police officer with 22 years service, and a firearms owner. The scenario, while fictional, is based very firmly in reality. An American perspective would be interesting.

For the purposes of this scenario, assume I'm a single man who has been in a relationship with a person of the female persuasion, and we are considering moving in together. One day she tells me that there may be a problem. A long time back she had a boyfriend who turned out to be a stalking psycho. He is about to be released from prison where he has served seven years for half killing one of her previous boyfriends. He has heard about me, and has said that when he is released his will find me and kill me.

So, one Friday evening I'm at home when I hear someone in the street screaming my name and that he was going to kill me. I look out of the window and see a man with a large machete. I call the police and by massive coincidence they are round the corner. The man hears the two tones and is away over the hill.

The police come and seem me and I explain the situation. They say theres a good chance of catching him over the weekend. I say I will stay at home with doors and windows locked. If he returns I will call the police. In the meantime, I will get a shotgun and a couple of rounds of 00. If he returns I will sit at the top of the stairs with the shotgun. If the man forces entry and starts upstairs, after I've shouted a warning', I'll shoot him.

The question is, what would the police do? Answer, without a shadow of a doubt, is that they would remove all of my firearms from the home.

Your thoughts?

UK, sorry to hear that would happen to someone just defending themselves and i am guessing this has happened before in your country?

some states here in America have Castle laws that allow the use of deadly force to protect a person against intruders. the state i live in, Texas has such a law.

i think everyone should be afforded the right to protect themselves, their loved ones and their property from criminals, and not just here in America but every country. sad, but i doubt that is something i will probably never see in my lifetime.

but the right to defend yourself is IMO, a God given right and something that should never be taken or given away by any government or group.

[RaySendero]

Originally Posted by UKShootist

I have raised this scenario many times in UK forums. It may help to know that I an a retired police officer with 22 years service, and a firearms owner. The scenario, while fictional, is based very firmly in reality. An American perspective would be interesting.

For the purposes of this scenario, assume I'm a single man who has been in a relationship with a person of the female persuasion, and we are considering moving in together. One day she tells me that there may be a problem. A long time back she had a boyfriend who turned out to be a stalking psycho. He is about to be released from prison where he has served seven years for half killing one of her previous boyfriends. He has heard about me, and has said that when he is released his will find me and kill me.

So, one Friday evening I'm at home when I hear someone in the street screaming my name and that he was going to kill me. I look out of the window and see a man with a large machete. I call the police and by massive coincidence they are round the corner. The man hears the two tones and is away over the hill.

The police come and seem me and I explain the situation. They say theres a good chance of catching him over the weekend. I say I will stay at home with doors and windows locked. If he returns I will call the police. In the meantime, I will get a shotgun and a couple of rounds of 00. If he returns I will sit at the top of the stairs with the shotgun. If the man forces entry and starts upstairs, after I've shouted a warning', I'll shoot him.

The question is, what would the police do? Answer, without a shadow of a doubt, is that they would remove all of my firearms from the home.

Your thoughts?

Yep - That's the situation in the UK.
There are many here in US that want to put us in that same situation!

[BigByrd47119]

A good and proper LEO would look you square in the eye and with all honesty tell you he wishes not that evil on you or yours but understands (as it is his duty to serve and protect) that you must do what you have to do to serve your family and protect it as well as yourself.

"To serve and protect"...rather ironic when they would rather take your own means of protection...

[manta]

You are allowed to use lethal force in the UK as well. You are allowed to use reasonable force that could include lethal force depending on the threat.
A recent case below where a burglar was fatally stabbed by the owner of the house he had broken into.
Asked about the stabbing, Mr Clegg said: “The law is very clear: you have every right to defend yourself, your home, your property, your family.

“The law is really unambiguous on that and no one should feel they haven't got a right to do that.



As for using a firearm self defense is not seen as a god reason for owning a firearm except in some cases in N Ireland.
Legally owned firearms have being used in the UK in the past for self defence even tough that was not the reason the firearm was acquired.

[dog2000tj]

Originally Posted by UKShootist

The police come and seem me and I explain the situation. They say theres a good chance of catching him over the weekend. I say I will stay at home with doors and windows locked. If he returns I will call the police. In the meantime, I will get a shotgun and a couple of rounds of 00. If he returns I will sit at the top of the stairs with the shotgun. If the man forces entry and starts upstairs, after I've shouted a warning', I'll shoot him.

The question is, what would the police do? Answer, without a shadow of a doubt, is that they would remove all of my firearms from the home.

Your thoughts?

Keep your mouth shut

[trip286]

I was robbed a few weeks ago. I asked the responding police officer, "if they come back while I'm home, what happens if I just shoot and kill them?"

His response: "Makes my job easier, I won't have to catch them."

Me thinks you need to get in a rowboat or something and make your way across that pond...

[manta]

Originally Posted by trip286

I was robbed a few weeks ago. I asked the responding police officer, "if they come back while I'm home, what happens if I just shoot and kill them?"

His response: "Makes my job easier, I won't have to catch them."

Me thinks you need to get in a rowboat or something and make your way across that pond...

Reasonable force. A bad shooting in America and you could end up in jail the same as the UK.

[axxe55]

Originally Posted by manta

Reasonable force. A bad shooting in America and you could end up in jail the same as the UK.

sad you live in a country that does not allow you the right to defend yourself against an armed attacker bent on doing you harm. this is an issue that is being fought and defended here everyday in America. we will not give up this right without huge opposition and we have several organizations that fight for these rights.

[robocop10mm]

Originally Posted by manta

Reasonable force. A bad shooting in America and you could end up in jail the same as the UK.

What about this scenario tells you it is a "bad shooting"? Someone comes into you home and commits a Felony! You have every right to defend yourself from felonious behavior. This is a natural right given to us by our creator. In most jurisdictions ini America, you would be questioned, the case turned over to a Grand Jury who would quite properly "no bill" you. You would get your gun back and a quiet pat on the back from the officers.

Protecting ones self from a predator is your right, no matter how many legs the predator happens to have.