I live in an RV, I own a shotgun, can I defend my life against an intruder?
I live in an RV, I own a shotgun, can I defend my life against an intruder?
I have been told yes-no-maybe….I need to know, If I am sleeping in my RV with my wife at night and a criminal breaks into my RV and poses a threat to me can I shoot him. I would feel that yes I can since my life is in absolute danger while I am now cornered in my vehicle with a criminal that has already proved to have no regard for the law or others. Please Help me understand this. I live In Dallas, Tx
Thank you all for the input, I dont live near any other Rv’s its just mine and empty parking about 2 spaces in each direction then empty cars., I agree, Im not going to wait and ask if the criminal has good intentions or not.
Thank you everyone, I wish I could give everyone best answer because everyones comment helps and confirms what I thought. Thank you all
depends
If the intruder comes in and attacks you with his fist, then you are only allowed to use your fist.
If you cut him with a knife or glass, then YOU escalated the fight to the next level and YOU are responsible for his damages (more than likely felony malicious wounding)
If he has anything less than a gun and you shoot him and kill him then it’s murder, not self defense. If he has a gun and his BACK if facing you and you shoot him in the back, you are still wrong because he no longer had your life in danger…he appears to be leaving you alone if he’s walking away and your reaction then is out of spite/vengence, instead of self defense
He has to have a gun on you for you to be justified for shooting him…but he more than likely will see you getting your gun and he will blow you away. Your best bet in this situation is to let him take what he wants then to call the cops after
as for your RV…thats your home.
EDIT: I tell you my answer out of personal experience…Im sorry if it wasn’t what you and everyone else wanted to hear but “JUST BLOW HIM AWAY!!!” aint gonna fly.
If you dont want to end up in jail behind what you THOUGHT was self defense, you better re-read my answer then ask a professional. If you dont want to be blown away…out of here…then you need not agitate the guy with the gun with your moment of self righteous bravery
I am pretty sure that, under the ‘castle doctrine,’ you have a right to defend your RV against intruders because your RV is considered a home/dwelling.
I don’t know any specifics about Texas law.
Well hell it’s your home ain’t it? Castle law man. I would defend myself, and I know TX has the Castle Doctrine (I call it Castle Law.)
Hell yes! shoot him. its better safe than sorry. If his threatening you you should call them and shoot him but if his not just say dont move or il shoot you and call the cops
yes you can. according to american law you can shoot but not kill aim for the legs.
I’m thinking the best way to say this…If you believe the only way to keep you, your family and your property safe is to shoot that person? You’re damn right you can shoot. You have no way of knowing what sort of weapon he has in his possession and he’s threatening you and yours…
At 21 feet, a person with a knife can rush and stab a person with a gun before they can draw and fire. 21 feet is considered deadly distance. Don’t think they HAVE to have a gun in order for you to defend yourself. If they’re holding a rock and telling you they are going to bash your head in – SHOOT THEM.
my perspective has it half right. If someone breaks in with no weapon you cant just shoot them. Now she is wrong stating you cant grab a non deadly weapon if they are un armed. Grab a baseball bat. You have everyright to RESPONSEABLY use a weapon for self defense if someone breaks into your home. But you are responseable for that bullet wherever it goes and whatever damage it does. Check with your local police department just to double check everything
Hell Yes! I live in Texas and it doesn’t matter if your in a tent. If an intruder barges in and all you have to feel is, fear of losing your life or a family members life. With this said, deadly force may be used! Just don’t shoot the guy in the back(doesn’t look good to a grand jury) and make sure he is dead. A dead witness tells no lies! Heck, I live in Houston and we have people shooting car thieves from 2nd story apts. Had a guy the other day shoot 3 men that was breaking into his car at NIGHT! The key word is NIGHT! In Texas you can use deadly force after dark to protect time, property and persons. Anyway, he got off 3 shots with a 30-06 and killed all 3 men, but only after the door was opened on his vehicle or illegal entry was made. NO CHARGES FILED AGAINST THE CAR OWNER!! To answer your question, YES. Your RV is your home, when in it. so is a car or truck or if you have a 6′ cedar privacy fence that is attached to your home, once someone enters that fenced in area it’s just like entering your home, deadly force may be used. I know this because I shot a man that jumped my fence and was waving a knife around (Drunk). Didn’t kill him (right chest shot) but the officer told me if that fence wasn’t attached to my home I would have been in trouble.
get an assualt rifle
In the state that I live in, you can take what ever steps to lessen that threat that YOU deem appropriate and I can’t see Texas wanting you to get beat up or killed. He is the one that broke the law and is threatening you. There is no reason for you to get beat up or killed. He is the one that broke the law and is endangering his health and welfare.
Regardless of Any Laws pertaining to Self-Defense, everybody has an innate Right to Defend, Protect, and Preserve themselves against the threat of eminent Bodily Injury or Death Anyplace, at Anytime.*…Some Self-defense Laws that are written, if Obeyed by you can get you Killed.* Use number 7-1/2 bird shot to terminate any intruder, it is plenty lethal enough.*
They just changed the self defense laws in Texas. As of September 1, 2009 you have the right to defend yourself with deadly force against anyone threatening you or your family on or in your property. I don’t know if you could shoot him outside because that is not your property, but you could definitely shoot him in your RV.
the general rule on RVs, campers, etc for this is if it’s on the road it’s a vehicle, if it’s parked and in use it’s typically considered to be the same as your home.
Texas has always been a “castle” state. The RV is your abode, the fact that it’s temporary doesn’t make any difference. You can kill any intruder in, or breaking into, your abode (residence). In Texas you can also kill anyone who is on your property who is committing theft or criminal mischief (vandalism) “at night” only. The new law mentioned just further clarifies protecting yourself or your family while out in your yard. So shoot em, and let the cops worry about the paperwork. I have seen several of these cases, and the shooters are considered heroes. When faced with danger, Texas law only requires that you retreat as far as the air against your back. God Bless Texas
Edit: Beware that it’s not the same in all states. You can google for deadly force laws in different states. There are some, like Arkansas, that think entry is enough. There has to be another sign of danger.
It’s better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
Yes…..if this is your home or place you sleep in and someone breaks in wishing to do harm or has a weapon or moves toward you with a weapon yes. Just make sure you shoot him after he is over the edge of the door jam and not in the back in the parking lot.