Reply #45: Night invasions are pretty much the one case where I feel the homeowner should be allowed free reign

[Mike Daniels]

in whatever course of action they feel is necessary to deal with the matter.

While the ideal solution would be to get the hell out of the house and call the police from safety if you live an a multi-person house with separate bedrooms that's not always feasible.

Furthermore, plain old burglary is generally geared to be confrontation adverse where you would generally commit the crime when you most expect the house to be unoccupied. Someone who breaks into a house late at night when the house is likely occupied probably isn't interested in just relieving the homeowners of some material possessions.

Would I like the homeowner to at least give the perp some idea that his presence is known and a chance to get out of Dodge? Of course. However, should the perp fail to vacate the house within seconds of that "heads up" I think that shows the perp has chosen to make a stand and the homeowner is thereby free to deal with the matter through whatever means of force necessary.