The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - What are the laws on protecting your car from a burglar

Bartholomew Roberts · February 28, 2011, 02:34 PM

The highlighted portion of the law is an important point to keep in mind. Even if the use of deadly force was justified, as soon as the burglar drops the property, there is no more justification for the use of force to protect property.

If the forensice evidence shows that the burglar dropped your car stereo 2' away from the car; but you continued shooting at 3', 4' etc., you may have a much bigger problem than losing a car stereo.

When you start thinking about how fast these situations can play out and how easily you can miss a small detail like that (especially in low light), you start appreciating how easily you can end up in front of a jury yourself when you use deadly force to protect property.

February 28, 2011, 02:34 PM	#5
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 13, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	The highlighted portion of the law is an important point to keep in mind. Even if the use of deadly force was justified, as soon as the burglar drops the property, there is no more justification for the use of force to protect property. If the forensice evidence shows that the burglar dropped your car stereo 2' away from the car; but you continued shooting at 3', 4' etc., you may have a much bigger problem than losing a car stereo. When you start thinking about how fast these situations can play out and how easily you can miss a small detail like that (especially in low light), you start appreciating how easily you can end up in front of a jury yourself when you use deadly force to protect property.