ChazzChazz Layne wrote:On another note (perhaps slightly OT), I would have to consider vandalism/burglary a serious personal/physical threat to myself and any other persons on my property, depending on what they were doing. I'm rural... very rural.
I have even stronger feelings on this in most of the places I camp - without the protection of shelter/water/transport, Arizona's wilderness would kill. I will grant that things are different in the city, but most of this state (something like 90+%) is just like it is here (BFE). I've no doubt that this factors, at least indirectly, in our freedoms continuing to remain intact in this state.
Sorry, somehow in the banter I missed this post. I understand how emotions would run high given your situation, but you'd still have to temper yourself and go through some requisite warning motions before pulling a trigger. Unfortunately, the laws make few, if any consideration for your situation. If you didn't properly address the individual before discharging your gun you could easily find yourself with the burden of having to prove your reasons for doing so. Property is property, and persons are persons.
Your second scenario raises more interesting legal questions. I'd be curious to know if there are precedence for this. If the loss of a vehicle or theft of water would mean certain death, a reasonable argument could be entered and I think your actions could be justified as an assault or even attempted homicide. But, I still think you'd have to forewarn of your intentions to fire if the person continues with their actions.
