Florida sheriff encourages residents to shoot looters if they try to break into homes

Robert59

Robert59

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Now I live in Tennesee. Did live in Michigan.
A Florida sheriff is gaining national attention for his strong words about using gun violence against potential looters. During a press conference on Monday, Polk County Sheriff Judd Grady praised peaceful protesters – then, he addressed anyone who may threaten criminal conduct Grady said the department "had received information on social media that some folks were threatening to take their criminal conduct into the neighborhoods." during demonstrations.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florid...l8tHHixMj9whq_APTaUUoOJPATvtWvIFty5GIpUKvO8kc
 

Remember,If you shoot him on your front porch, be sure to pull him inside the house and tell the police (if there are any) that he broke into your home and tried to attack you.
I support the Polk County Sheriff. I support law enforcement.
 
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Gaer said:
Remember,If you shoot him on your front porch, be sure to pull him inside the house and tell the police (if there are any) that he broke into your home and tried to attack you.
I support the Polk County Sheriff. I support law enforcement.
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States that have what are commonly called "stand your ground" laws will not prosecute you for shooting someone attempting to break into your house regardless if they're actually in the house or not. The legal term is that you have "no duty to retreat" from your home or property, even states that are not self defense friendly have some version in the statutes. It would be a serious legal mistake to move an attacker unless you were rendering aid.

A book I highly recommend on self defense is The Law of Self Defense by Andrew Branka, it is an eye opener for most. I am fortunate to live in an area that has clear laws protecting citizens that have to defend themselves. We have no duty to retreat, and cannot be sued in civil litigation (a very big deal), as long as the shooting was justified.
 
Our State has a "castle doctrine" law, which essentially means that a person can take whatever measures necessary to protect their lives and property, from criminals, with no repercussions from the law. Since we live way out in the country, we have little concern about having to contend with some of the nonsense that seems to be commonplace in most cities....but, if anyone tried to wreck havoc in this area, they would probably quickly see the business end of a deer rifle or shotgun.
 
Gaer said:
JB:I was not aware the laws had changed. Thanks for posting that.
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I'd heard the same thing for years, on the face it "sounds" like good advice but it's not. Tampering with evidence does not help a person's case. Massad Ayoob, probably the foremost self defense expert in the US, dismisses it in his 1980 book, "In the Gravest Extreme".

The book is somewhat outdated in light of recent "castle doctrine" statutes (as Don M posted), but the advice on defusing a situation and how to avoid confrontations is still excellent information.
 
History would say otherwise. People have been killed just stepping up onto the porch to knock on the door. When everyone has the expectation that someone is coming to break in and do them harm the danger level goes up dramatically.

On the other hand if the unwanted visitor declares himself to be about to break in, then no worries, but be sure to record it on camera with audio.
 
Warrigal said:
History would say otherwise. People have been killed just stepping up onto the porch to knock on the door. When everyone has the expectation that someone is coming to break in and do them harm the danger level goes up dramatically.

On the other hand if the unwanted visitor declares himself to be about to break in, then no worries, but be sure to record it on camera with audio.
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I don't expect anyone coming to my door to break in, I don't live in fear. We've had maybe two people come through our neighborhood walking up to doors unknown, we have no solicitation signs posted throughout (per our local ordinances). We don't answer the door and ask them to leave.

History would say home invaders aren't known for announcing their intent to break in.
 
Warrigal said:
History would say otherwise. People have been killed just stepping up onto the porch to knock on the door. When everyone has the expectation that someone is coming to break in and do them harm the danger level goes up dramatically.

On the other hand if the unwanted visitor declares himself to be about to break in, then no worries, but be sure to record it on camera with audio.
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Common sense dictates stepping back off the porch after ringing or knocking.
 
It is amazing to me that this society has reached the point where it is incorrect to defend one's home and property against looters and thieves. Look at the thread title, this not about innocent people asking for directions to the Dairy Queen, the sherrif was addressing looters and thieves. There are actually people in the world that think it is permissible to steal, loot and violate homeowners and shopowners. The country is falling, fast. Posters like Gaer have the gumption to say, NO, that is not RIGHT. Hats off to her others who feel the same way.
 
Our state has very lenient castle doctrine laws. With such a large rural population, it helps keep crime down in areas in which would be robbers know that it'll take 30 minutes or more for LEO to get to a 911 call.
 
Gaer said:
Remember,If you shoot him on your front porch, be sure to pull him inside the house and tell the police (if there are any) that he broke into your home and tried to attack you.
I support the Polk County Sheriff. I support law enforcement.
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That's a very old one that will get you in deep trouble in an otherwise-justified self-defense situation. You would be charged with tampering with evidence and you would also create suspicion that may get you a murder charge because if you were justified, why would you falsify evidence?
How would you explain the blood evidence on your front porch? Even cleaning up your porch wouldn't work today; there are chemicals that would detect prior presence of blood.
 
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