I came on to write this one up if it was not already posted, just saw this and thought that it spoke to the highest order of not only Motherhood but also the importance of home protection.

Now off to read this thread.

Great to hear.
The calling of 911 was a good move on her part, it created audio evidence for when the scumbags family takes her to court in an attempt to sue her for damages.

Hey, I have always stated Doom on those that enter someone's house.

I would say Yes and No .. depending on the situation.

Her situation warranted this action ( shoot the firearm ).

Lets say your a 300lb body builder and some strung out 17 year old girl comes into your house loaded with a pocket knife. Do you guys still think it would be ok to blow a few holes in her body ?

Ok..lets look at a few more situations .. ( feel free to comment on each or all of them ).

I will preface this with Call 911 as soon/if you can without giving away your position ( call and keep the phone on line or just call and whisper "help" ).

Q. Your a single mother with an infant ( or toddler ) and brandish a shotgun when someone Breaks in your house.
A. Hide with your kids and shoot to kill at the FIRST chance you get. Wait for a while to make sure there are no more intruders. ( if you have a cell phone call 911 at the first opportunity. You dont have to say anything other then a quite "help" .. dont hang up ).

Q. Your a single female with a handgun ( Im sure its not a .44 magnum ) and someone breaks into your home.
A. Fire All rounds ! Just keep shooting until your empty. Some may say that you keep a few rounds to shoot "warning shots" into the wall or the roof after the intruder was killed/shot .. bad Idea to do this. You dont need to lie with bullets. Forensics will pull Every bullet and find that you tried to manipulate the situation. Not very good for your defense if you need it.

Q. I have a wife and 2 small children .. someone just broke into my home.
A. As a husband with 2 small children I can say only one thing. Someone will be killed...Period !

Q. I'm a single male and someone just broke into my home.
A. You have every right to use force. However .. you can protect yourself without unloading a semiauto at the perp as opposed to females.

Q. Someone broke in to my home .. when he saw I was standing there with a gun he ran .. but I shot him.
A. Never Ever Shoot someone in the Back !!. There was another poster that suggested a door closed when he got his shot gun and killed the guy through the door ( could not happen through a door ). Main point is You can Never shoot someone in the back.

As far as another poster suggesting that some police officer told her to "drag the body inside the house " when killed Outside ..Um.. that's just almost the Stupidest thing I have ever heard of !! Ever !!

The smartest suggestions I have read on this thread is ..

1. Guns are made to KILL .. not wound .. or mame ..KILL. If your not willing to Kill then dont have a gun.

2.When you point a Gun at someone .. KILL them.

3. Take a firearm safety course.

4. Know your weapon and how to use it.

5. Go over it Again and Again in your Mind.

For those that Do NOT want to kill someone there are effective ways to Defend against Intruders.

Ammonia in an empty dish soap bottle works wonders when you have the chance. Squirt that on an intruder and they will not be able to do much of anything.

JG.

Here in UK as you know, guns are relatively rare (let's save the gun debate for another thread). We are allowed to use reasonable force though it's a bit of a grey area. But for me as a single female I have to say I would count it reasonable to strike first and with something guaranteed to cause serious harm. I can't put myself at a disadvantage by waiting politely to see if he has a violent intent. The intruder who is in MY home uninvited is responsible for whatever ill befalls him - not me.

Bump this thread for every uninformed poster who questions why Americans own guns and thinks there is no need for them. It's called self defense! 911 equal dial a prayer. Armed mother equals god/source helps those who help themselves!

She was 18 years old and a new mother. Good for her. I'd want her as my neighbor anytime. She didnt need permission...but out fo terror and fear...she wanted some reassurance. And at 18 years of age...I wouldnt blame her.

Good for her! Too bad for him. He got what he deserved. And he wont do that again.

In the USA,
You don't need permission to defend yourself,
but you should know your rights and know what is considered defense as defined by laws in your state.
That would be your responsibility to learn,
especially if you are a gun owner.