If someone breaks into your home

Question

Can you shoot them with an air pistol with BB's or pellets?

Would they be allowed to sue you if they survive?

Answer 1

You'd have to get really lucky to kill someone with a BB gun.

Likely, all you'd do is make them mad and then they'd beat the c**p out of you.

Answer 2

I live in Texas.  According to state law if someone breaks into your house you can shoot them with a lot bigger.  Why just p**s em off?  Don't just make them mad with air guns and bbs and pellets.  If I am under attack I will shoot to kill. Don't Mess With Texas!

Answer 3

It really depends on the state. Some allow you to shoot dead anyone who broke into your house. Like say if someone is crawling through your window you better go ahead and pull them in then proceed to shoot them. Others if they haven't done anything to provoke you into self defense or are running away it could not bode well for you on court day esp on trumped up charges. On the other hand why would a crook who just broke into your house be scared off by being shot with a bb gun? Really they are either gonna run when they see you or come after you when they realize all you have is a bb gun.  

Answer 4

I personally wouldn't pull a 'gun' of any type on someone unless i planned on killing them. and a BB or pellet gun wont kill anyone,  I will just make them really pissed, so they'll pull out there real gun and kill you.  

  As far as laws go.. if you could prove they broke into your house, then they prolly couldn't do anything.  But you cant like invite your ex-boyfriend or someone over, shoot them and then say they broke in.

Answer 5

they will sue you if they break a finger nail obtaining entry, saying you should not have locked the door as it infringed their human rights,

me I will use as much force as necessary to protect me and mine,

the dead cant talk can they?

Answer 6

you better have a big @$$ BB gun

Answer 7

Anyone can sue anyone else for any reason.  That doesn't mean that the plaintiff will win his/her case.  And, yes, there's a lot of aggravation to being sued when the charge is a bunch of bull!

That being said, if someone BREAKS into your house, one can safely surmise that he/she is not there to collect donations for the Red Cross.  If there is an attempt to harm you or a family member, I would guess that you would probably not be charged with a crime (a criminal matter).

However, could you be sued civilly?  Yes, but again, that doesn't mean the plaintiff will emerge as the winner.

Answer 8

Im from Texas as well and your legally allowed to shoot somebody for breaking into your house, So burgulars better watch out!

Answer 9

If you are lucky enough to live in a state that has the castle doctrine just shoot the scum bag & don't worry.  

Answer 10

That's a major gray area. If you harm anyone you better make sure there's clear proof that they tried to harm you first and you were acting out of defense.