Markgeezer said:Anyone know the "law" about shooting to kill... after they have entered your property, and or after they have damaged your property while entering (breaking an entry), regardless of whatever else they attempt, as I understand it these are two very different categories. Also whats the score with defending property and family when using knives/machetes...is their any issue over the blade length ?
Not a legal eagle, but my understanding is that you are only allowed to use proportional force to defend yourself. Shooting someone who is either unarmed or only carrying a knife could land you in trouble, as your use of force could be condemned as being disproportionate.
I've been told many houses keep two guns. One registered, one unregistered. The logic being, that in the event of a break in, if you fatally shoot your intruder you can plant an unregistered gun on them and claim self defence.