While many anti-gun politicians and organizations love to say that armed citizens never successfully defend themselves with their firearms, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we easily find numerous reports of Americans defending themselves and their families with a gun every day and all throughout the nation just by cruising local news reports.
One of the latest such incidents happened last weekend in Missouri when an intruder who kicked in the back door of a home was shot and killed by the home’s armed occupant. According to police reports, the mid-afternoon home invasion occurred in Scott City, Missouri, on August 24.
Scott City Police Chief Chris Griggs said the incident was an unfortunate one.
“It’s terrible,” Griggs said. “It’s a tragedy for everyone involved. Someone lost their life, and someone’s home was broken into.”
In truth, it was more than unfortunate for the homeowner who was forced to shoot an intruder in his home—an eventuality that we all hope will never happen. Fortunately, the resident was prepared for just such an incident.
According to Griggs, the intruder, Jason Vermillion, kicked in the back door of a home on the south side of Scott City.
“He was confronted by the homeowner which demanded that he left,” said Chief Griggs. “He said that he was not leaving, and the altercation occurred and resulted in him being fatally wounded.”
The homeowner called 911, met arriving officers at the door and directed them to the intruder. Emergency responders began life-saving measures, but to no avail.
Fortunately for the homeowner, Missouri has both a stand-your-ground law and a Castle Doctrine law on the books. Consequently, Chief Griggs said the homeowner will not face any charges because it was a clear case of self-defense.
“Someone’s home was broken into and had to use lethal force, but was justified in doing so,” Griggs said. “Your home is your domain, it’s your property, you do whatever force you feel is necessary to stop the threat.”
Be prepared. POGO
Correct!!!
Pants on Gun on. From the time you get up. Until the time you go to bed.
So who is going to bitch about a dead home invader this time?
*looks around* *sigh*
Fine, I’ll do it.
*clears throat* (in deadpan voice) “This was such a tragedy. He was just turning his life around. The world lost a future doctor. There was no reason to kill him. The home owner could just replace anything that was taken. It wasn’t worth killing him over.”
I think that is all the usual bs.
It’s never ever sad when an invader is killed. Especially when they break into private property.
“Your home is your domain, it’s your property, you do whatever force you feel is necessary to stop the threat.” — Scott City Police Chief Chris Griggs
I caution everyone about that statement. My research indicates that you are clear to do whatever a reasonable person thinks is necessary to stop the threat. If your thoughts/feelings exceed the “reasonable person” standard, there is a good chance that you will get an all expenses paid multiple year vacation at a gray-bar hotel.
I would have provided more detail in my above statement, including a disclaimer that I am not a lawyour, but this God-forsaken website (technically the WordPress software that this site and probably thousands of other websites use) kept hiding my comment until it could clear human scrutiny.
It looks like WordPress automatically sends a comment to “moderation” jail if your comment is several lines long and you mention the words lawyer, attorney, and/or legal.
“it’s your property, you do whatever force you feel is necessary”
Don’t shoot at people walking through your yard or turning around in your driveway. If it becomes an issue where you live, put up a fence and no trespassing signs.
Home carry is a must.
However, there are other measures you can take to secure your home against invasion. Security doors on every access to your abode, and a bolt-locked garage door are necessities. Invaders will think twice about breaking a window to gain access to your home, but if they do they will be hampered in any action, and the breaking glass gives you warning. Garage doors are vulnerable; invaders can use a flexible rod to unhook the door from the opener drive. I bolt my garage door shut at night, and when I’m going to be gone for more than 24 hours. And I live in the boonies.
Driveway gates, exterior lighting, strategic use of vegetation and fences, are also good ideas.
These measures also look good to a judge and jury; you took the time and expense to secure your home, and the invader still forced his way in, leaving you no choice but to exercise your right to self-defense.