How is self defense defined in the US. Here in South Africa it is fairly strict, your life must be in immediate danger, this excludes shooting through a door just because a perp is on the other side. Even home invasion is more difficult to argue for a man than for a woman, and somebody loading your tv onto your truck is not considered self defense unless he/she shots at you at the same time, because if they are leaving (even if it is with your valuables) then your life cannot be in danger anymore. I'm not going to argue the point of this law because it gives an advantage to the perps at the expense of law abiding citizens but it is the law after all and you don't want to end up in prison because you fought for your tv.
I would also follow Jerry's advice and go for a lighter load, at close range it won't matter too much anyways.
By the way, that shotgun with the bayonet rocks.
roger
Roger,
Self defense laws vary from state to state. Here in Florida, thanks to the stand your ground law, I only have to feel that my life or another's life in threatened. Obviously that leaves a lot of latitude. Thier sex, age, race, or location does not matter (at least as I understand it). If their trying to break into my house, I can shoot em. If they're trying to harm me out it public, it doesn't matter, I can shoot em. And best of all I do not have a duty to retreat. However, I shouldn't let that limit my options to find a non-violent solution if at all possible.
One thing to bear in mind however, is when I leave Florida and enter another state then I am under the jurisdiction of their laws. Some state have a duty to retreat, others don't. Some states consider your car an extension of your home, others don't. That's why if at all possible I'll pull my cell phone before I pull my Sig.
