A Home Defense Question

[physicstech]

I just read another home defense post on this site (I am not permitted to post links yet) and I have a question of my own. I live in my parent's home (I am 22) I have no criminal record, I work for a very respectable organization, and I am an overall good person/citizen (trying to not sounds cocky) I am a gun enthusiast, and I enjoy shooting targets at my local shooting range. I live in NY, and I do only possess a shotgun (Mossberg Maverick 88) and a knock-off full-size UZI (9mm, semi-auto, totally legal) My question of course comes down to this: If someone breaks into my home, and starts stealing things, I intend to call the cops. Everyone sleeps on the second floor. If the person comes up to the second floor, what should I do? I have a high respect for police, and our local department does a great job, but I personally feel that is not worth chancing an intruder being armed, and violent once they reach our bedroom floor. I have some riot bean-bag ammo for my shotgun from cheaperthandirt.com (I bought it with the intent to see what it does to the targets at the range) I also have some buckshot ammo. The local gun shop employee suggested the first round be a bean-bag, and if the intruder does anything other than retreat after that, then to use a lethal round. I have thankfully never had an intruder in my home, but I'd like to know what to do if it happens. Thanks

PS: Sorry if this seems all over the place, but I am not much of a writer. I can try to clarify anything if you need me to.

[Citicop]

Not a lawyer or overly familiar with New York Law... but in general, if you are reasonably in fear for your life (or the life of another person) deadly force is legal/appropriate/authorized.

I say absolutely skip the bean bag round. If you are firing a gun at someone, do it with the intent to use deadly force and stop the threat. If they are armed as well, and you shoot them with a bean bag round, you are giving them a "free" chance to shoot back. Stick to buckshot or slugs.

Just my $.02-

-Citicop.

[Joeyd6]

You can only use deadly force if you believe (and you will later have to explain it to others) and can justify that your were in fear of you life or the life of othere.

I would suggest you make sure they hear you rack that shotgun and warn them to leave. Don't waste your time with a beanbag round in your gun. If you are shooting somebody, it better be becuase they are going to kill you or somebody else.

Or just buy a alarm system and sleep tight.

[FBINA188]

Not a lawyer or overly familiar with New York Law... but in general, if you are reasonably in fear for your life (or the life of another person) deadly force is legal/appropriate/authorized.

I say absolutely skip the bean bag round. If you are firing a gun at someone, do it with the intent to use deadly force and stop the threat. If they are armed as well, and you shoot them with a bean bag round, you are giving them a "free" chance to shoot back. Stick to buckshot or slugs.

Just my $.02-

-Citicop.

You can only use deadly force if you believe (and you will later have to explain it to others) and can justify that your were in fear of you life or the life of othere.

I would suggest you make sure they hear you rack that shotgun and warn them to leave. Don't waste your time with a beanbag round in your gun. If you are shooting somebody, it better be becuase they are going to kill you or somebody else.

Or just buy a alarm system and sleep tight.

If you feel that your life, or the life of someone else in your home is in danger, stop the threat rather than to tease it with a "bean-bag."

[physicstech]

Thank you for all the responses. I do have a few cameras hooked up to a DVR which should help prove my case should it ever come to that, and I will also take the advice on forgetting the bean-bags. I would be worried that a slug would go through an intruder into someone else though, or through the walls and possibly into a neighbors home. I'll stick to the buckshot. Thanks again

[BJJVad]

Thank you for all the responses. I do have a few cameras hooked up to a DVR which should help prove my case should it ever come to that, and I will also take the advice on forgetting the bean-bags. I would be worried that a slug would go through an intruder into someone else though, or through the walls and possibly into a neighbors home. I'll stick to the buckshot. Thanks again

Cameras do not "PROVE" fear. Your statements and observations will.

Cameras are great when they capture exactly what you saw that made you scared for your life. However, there are far to many cases where the cameras do not show what someone observed and made them scared for their life.

Not to mention most security cameras are not equipped with audio and generally don't capture BG statements. Ex: "I'm going to kill you." etc.. etc..

[physicstech]

Thank you for your opinion of the cameras. I will keep that in mind, should anything ever happen.