How Far Can a Woman Go to Defend Herself?

debodun

debodun

SF VIP
Location
way upstate in New York, USA
One of my uncles once said to me that nobody would hold it against a woman who's alone to shoot an intruder in her home (but he added to make sure to make it fatal or else you'll end up paying for his disability the rest of his life).

I vaguely remember reading or hearing about a woman that shot an intruder and got jail time because the court said she couldn't have known what his intentions were prior to that. Go figure!
 

I don't know about that news story you mentioned, Deb, but to answer the original question, I'd think a woman would/should be able to do whatever is necessary to defend herself. (But see my disclaimer coming up...) @debodun It would also depend on the circumstances... a home invasion, absolutely. But if you're walking down the street and think the guy walking behind you has ill intentions, you can't go shooting him on a feeling that may not be accurate.
 
CallMeKate said:
But if you're walking down the street and think the guy walking behind you has ill intentions, you can't go shooting him on a feeling that may not be accurate.
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Agreed, but if he touches you, you can open his face and neck up with your teeth and nails while kneeing him in his most volunerable soft spot, repeatedly.
 

Medusa said:
Agreed, but if he touches you, you can open his face and neck up with your teeth and nails while kneeing him in his most volunerable soft spot, repeatedly.
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Yes, touching would take it way past the "is that dude is following me" stage. In that case, all of what you said... absolutely. And maybe an extra shot of mace and a "take that, creep!" as you walk away and finish your journey.
 
If someone is in your house you can legally kill them. But you can’t shoot them in the back as they are running away. Curious Deb what were the circumstances of the case you mentioned.

I really wish that the forum would get rid of the bold type. Often I am typing for a while before I notice and don’t want to erase and start again. It seems to be the default setting. Unless I am doing something wrong.
 
Teacher Terry said:
If someone is in your house you can legally kill them. But you can’t shoot them in the back as they are running away. Curious Deb what were the circumstances of the case you mentioned.

I really wish that the forum would get rid of the bold type. Often I am typing for a while before I notice and don’t want to erase and start again. It seems to be the default setting. Unless I am doing something wrong.
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It's not the forum doing the bold... that "B" when you're composing makes it bold... make sure it's not pressed and your type won't be bold. The "I" beside it is italics. If you highlight the part you don't want bolded and take the "B" off, it should be normal font. @Teacher Terry
 
debodun said:
One of my uncles once said to me that nobody would hold it against a woman who's alone to shoot an intruder in her home (but he added to make sure to make it fatal or else you'll end up paying for his disability the rest of his life).

I vaguely remember reading or hearing about a woman that shot an intruder and got jail time because the court said she couldn't have known what his intentions were prior to that. Go figure!
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When I was 5, the local sheriff stopped by my mothers house (1965) said "Jo, you ever have any intruders and have to shoot ( mom had a hidden .32) make damn sure at least one foot in inside the house, no one will question it"

In regards to what you have read, fatally shooting someone who is "Leaving" means "No longer a threat" to you, so legally you're not supposed to shoot them.

This is why the cop got murder charges for shooting that black man that ran from him. No reason other than running was given and that's not enough.
 
Teacher Terry said:
If someone is in your house you can legally kill them. But you can’t shoot them in the back as they are running away. Curious Deb what were the circumstances of the case you mentioned.

I really wish that the forum would get rid of the bold type. Often I am typing for a while before I notice and don’t want to erase and start again. It seems to be the default setting. Unless I am doing something wrong.
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Unclick the ''B'' above ! ^^
 
debodun said:
One of my uncles once said to me that nobody would hold it against a woman who's alone to shoot an intruder in her home (but he added to make sure to make it fatal or else you'll end up paying for his disability the rest of his life).

I vaguely remember reading or hearing about a woman that shot an intruder and got jail time because the court said she couldn't have known what his intentions were prior to that. Go figure!
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Regardless of gender, a person has a right to protect themself, particularly in their own home. You just have to be "in fear of your life", and there can't be evidence to the contrary. Generally, a person can't use lethal force to protect property...
 
This is quiet and rural so, I have no fears but IF I were in that position,
I'd get "wasp spray" to spray in their face. It completely disarms them.
Don't get "bear spray" because that goes EVERYWHERE!

An aggressive armed man seeing me holding a collector Colt 45
could overcome me in a moment and take my revolver.
But like @oldaunt said, shoot them and drag them inside!
"He was in my house. He tried to attack me. I feared for my life."

No help here is something DID happen. Only one police officer.
 
I can only do so much because all I have is pepper spray...
But I'll use it if necessary. We live in crazy times and it seems there are more predators out there but there always was.
 
In my state, I'm allowed to defend myself against and, if deemed necessary, kill an armed intruder. Just by virtue of the fact that he broke into my home and was armed, it would put me "in fear for my life." I wouldn't hesitate to defend myself by any means necessary if an armed intruder broke into my home and seemed ready to assault me.

I don't carry a pistol, a knife in my pocket, or a can of mace. On the street, I wouldn't engage a robber in a physical struggle. At 5'2" and 100 lbs, I wouldn't stand a chance against him. I'd let him have whatever he wanted in the hope that he wouldn't injure or kill me in the process.
 
Bella said:
In my state, I'm allowed to defend myself against and, if deemed necessary, kill an armed intruder. Just by virtue of the fact that he broke into my home and was armed, it would put me "in fear for my life." I wouldn't hesitate to defend myself by any means necessary if an armed intruder broke into my home and seemed ready to assault me.

I don't carry a pistol, a knife in my pocket, or a can of mace. On the street, I wouldn't engage a robber in a physical struggle. At 5'2" and 100 lbs, I wouldn't stand a chance against him. I'd let him have whatever he wanted in the hope that he wouldn't injure or kill me in the process.
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In the hope that he won't hurt you?
You have keys? Fingernails? Straight to the eyes, Babe. ♥

If not, and you can't get to his crotch, super hard kick to the knee, front or side is effective. Also, throat/windpipe is vulnerable, but you'd have to punch or chop pretty hard (which I'd worry I couldn't do effectively so probably would go for easier targets.)

I don't carry a knife or pistol either because I don't know how to use either and would likely hurt myself or get hurt. But I do have weapons.
 
Back when I was still having such problems, an officer told me if I had to shoot anyone, be sure they were dead and drag them into the house if they were outside.
Ruthanne said:
I can only do so much because all I have is pepper spray...
But I'll use it if necessary. We live in crazy times and it seems there are more predators out there but there always was.
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Get the wasp spray. 20 foot range and it doesn't blow back on you. Aim for the eyes.
 
Bella said:
In my state, I'm allowed to defend myself against and, if deemed necessary, kill an armed intruder. Just by virtue of the fact that he broke into my home and was armed, it would put me "in fear for my life." I wouldn't hesitate to defend myself by any means necessary if an armed intruder broke into my home and seemed ready to assault me.

I don't carry a pistol, a knife in my pocket, or a can of mace. On the street, I wouldn't engage a robber in a physical struggle. At 5'2" and 100 lbs, I wouldn't stand a chance against him. I'd let him have whatever he wanted in the hope that he wouldn't injure or kill me in the process.
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Cool, if you don't mind the rape that so often goes along with it. Yes, even grannies.
 
Grabbing a hold of the "Adam's Apple" and crushing it like a beer or pop can can help you get away from a creep.
 

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