If people break into my dads truck can I...?

Question

2 weeks ago these people broke into my neighbors car, breaking the window and taking an Ipod. Last night they hit the entire neighborhood. Taking money out of my dads truck and breaking a different neighbors window. If I catch them in my driveway taking money out of one of my cars can I shoot them with my paintball gun multiple times until they fall and the cops come? They strike late at night and I am 14. If I do this, is there any way I can get in trouble?

Answer 1

The loophole in the law says that a member of the public can take action on another member of the public as long as they have evidence and proof that the other was doing something wrong. I think the paintball gun idea is very good, I have been paintballing in the past and taken a few hits (and that was in protective clothing) and it hurt...A LOT! get your aim right and shoot them a couple of times, they will be bruised almost straight away, and if they do manage to get away, when the police track down a couple of suspects you can simply tell them where you shot them e.g. shoulder, and if the police check and find a bruise...voila!

Good luck!

Answer 2

The laws vary from state to state.  You'd have to call your local police station and ask them.  In some places you could be charged with assault, even though those guys are breaking into your truck.

Answer 3

use a real gun

Answer 4

The legal viewpoint will change from state to state.  From a practical standpoint ...

What if the people have real guns?  You might not want to live with the knowledge that you have taken another person's life ... they might not care!

Ask your parents this question, if they don't know the answer ... try the local police or a lawyer.  But remember, just because you are morally opposed to taking a human life does not mean that your adversaries have the same problem.  Be very careful when confronting criminals.

Answer 5

If it is on your property, there is nothing the cops can do.