General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This message was self-deleted by its author [View all]ProudLib72
(17,984 posts)I said I was going to buy a gun. The cops told me I'd better be careful because, if someone just broke in and I shot them, I could be charged. I would need to be defending myself against imminent danger. I don't know if he was just trying to talk me out of buying a gun or if he was telling the truth.
It seems like there could be a whole slew of reasons to charge the criminal. For instance, it might appear more grievous an offense to break in on a woman protecting her child or an 80 year old man. If the burglars had weapons, that might be something that influences the decision. The law most likely differs state to state, too. I just don't know if there is an absolute on bringing charges against the surviving burglar. It would be nice if they caught the man and did sentence him to manslaughter.