Shooting an Intruder

**don08** · 04-22-2006, 01:50 AM

If someone is robbing your house and isn't threatening your life could you shoot them.

Eg. Guy is walking out with your T.V., you put a bullet in him.

Is that legal?(illonois)

I know its illegal in most states but someone has claimed its legal in Illonois...

Thanks

**aaron** · 04-22-2006, 07:45 AM

You can review the Illinois statutes governing use of force here.

**don08** · 04-22-2006, 10:10 AM

Thanks Aaron,

Could you interpret this for me in laymans terms

"He reasonably believes that such force is
necessary to prevent the commission of a felony in the dwelling."

**somedeity** · 06-07-2006, 08:55 AM

definitely illegal in MA, i can tell you that much

**cdwjava** · 07-09-2006, 03:19 AM

Quoting don08

Thanks Aaron,

Could you interpret this for me in laymans terms

"He reasonably believes that such force is
necessary to prevent the commission of a felony in the dwelling."

It sounds to me that if you think the guy is in your house because he's drunk and stumbled into your home, then you can't shoot him. But if you think he is there to cause you or your family harm - perhaps even your property - that you could shoot him.

But this is my opinion, and not a legal interpretation.

There is no way to give you all the scenarios under which a shooting of an intruder would be lawful as it is fact specific to a particulr circumstance.

Is there a reason you are asking?

- Carl

**rmet4nzkx** · 07-09-2006, 07:45 AM

I believe the problem is less in the shooting than in where they die, e.g. in the house where they represent a threat to person or property or outside where the threat is gone. Also if one is to shoot an intruder, it is best to be a good shot, it is messy having to explain why you are a bad shoe and empty your gun into an intruder, even in self defense.