12-Year-Old Girl Shoots Intruder During Home Invasion In Bryan County

[RodeoX]

She is a child who may well have saved herself. More power to her.
I'm just saying that if a cop had done this, he would be facing charges. Here in Wisconsin I assume I would go to jail for these actions. You can stop a threat to your life, but you can't shoot through a door at a scary noise. At least I think that's correct.

[Richy_T]

She is a child who may well have saved herself. More power to her.
I'm just saying that if a cop had done this, he would be facing charges. Here in Wisconsin I assume I would go to jail for these actions. You can stop a threat to your life, but you can't shoot through a door at a scary noise. At least I think that's correct.

In many states, once you have entered someone's home*, all bets are off. (Castle doctrine).




*as an intruder

[myrkul]

I'm just saying that if a cop had done this, he would be facing charges.

Cops are (rightly) held to higher standards than 12 year old girls alone in their home with an intruder.

[Richy_T]

I'm just saying that if a cop had done this, he would be facing charges.

Cops are (rightly) held to higher standards than 12 year old girls alone in their home with an intruder.

In principle.

[myrkul]

I'm just saying that if a cop had done this, he would be facing charges.

Cops are (rightly) held to higher standards than 12 year old girls alone in their home with an intruder.

In principle.

Fair point.

[Kettenmonster]

The lesson is: Don't scare little girls!
Fine with me and now spread that news. 

[RodeoX]

I'm just saying that if a cop had done this, he would be facing charges.

Cops are (rightly) held to higher standards than 12 year old girls alone in their home with an intruder.

In principle.

Fair point.

My understanding is that I could shoot only to stop an attack that could reasonably said to be an attack on my life. In court you will need to show how your life was in danger. In some states just breaking in is enough, in other states it is not.
If you keep a gun for protection you should be practicing shooting monthly at the least. You should mark out your firring positions and know what is behind them. If you do these things an attacker has little chance. They will be in an unknown place facing unknown forces. And don't hide. Hiding moves you to a crappy position, make the other guy try to hide. Lastly, don't show your gun or threaten them with it. It is for killing,  not tough talk. If you need the gun,  yell surprise!! and don't stop shooting until the attacker is done for.  

[myrkul]

I'm just saying that if a cop had done this, he would be facing charges.

Cops are (rightly) held to higher standards than 12 year old girls alone in their home with an intruder.

In principle.

Fair point.

My understanding is that I could shoot only to stop an attack that could reasonably said to be an attack on my life. In court you will need to show how your life was in danger. In some states just breaking in is enough, in other states it is not.
If you keep a gun for protection you should be practicing shooting monthly at the least. You should mark out your firring positions and know what is behind them. If you do these things an attacker has little chance. They will be in an unknown place facing unknown forces. And don't hide. Hiding moves you to a crappy position, make the other guy try to hide. Lastly, don't show your gun or threaten them with it. It is for killing,  not tough talk. If you need the gun,  yell surprise!! and don't stop shooting until the attacker is done for.  

All well and good, from your (surely greater than 12) years of experience, but this was a scared little kid. Put yourself in her shoes. I think we should just be happy she knew where the gun was and how to use it without hurting herself.