I am pro self-defense. Having said that, Arnisador's post reminded me of the time I mistakenly walked into someone else's apartment.
I worked long days and came home very tired. I went up only two floors rather than three and walked into my downstairs neighbors' apartment. We had never met, so it wasn't like, "Hey, Keith. What's up?" The husband began shouting at me, but, before I realized what I had done, I was nearly down the hall and into their living room. Even when I realized what was happening, I just turned around and walked back out. Yes, I was that tired and out-of-it. I probably appeared drunk or on drugs. (I was neither.)
A lot of things could have happened. Fortunately, it all turned out okay. I guess I am just echoing arnisador. Be sure of your target.
One of the reasons I'm almost paranoid about locking doors is because, when I lived in an apartment, I had someone walk into my apartment by mistake. They were looking for someone, they'd been told the door would be unlocked, so they went on in. They just got the wrong floor...
I've also responded to more than one case where this happened... For example, had a guy get wasted one night shortly after he'd moved. He went back "home" and proceeded to break into the apartment 'cause his key wouldn't work... He was TRASHED and just didn't remember that he'd moved!
Would've sucked if I'd blasted them for walking into the wrong door, huh?
But the truth is a burglar is not going to behave the same as someone who's mistaken. And, despite the bravado, I think most of the people here would recognize that.
I still strongly and urgently advise everyone to take the time to learn the core of their state code AND relevant decisions about self defense. We're all "trained martial artists", and in the event that you have to defend yourself, you'd be well advised to know how to justify your actions. Because, even if there's no doubt and it's open and shut and you're not prosecuted, there's a damn good chance you'll be sued if you hurt someone. And their attorney (or, in a worst case scenario, the prosecutor if you were charged criminally) WILL paint you as lethal, death in each hand, spitting poison and crapping bullets. Successful self defense has to carry on beyond keeping your hide intact, unless you really desire to give all your stuff to someone else in a courtroom. I don't know about you, but I worked hard to get the stuff I've got, I picked and chose it because I like it, and I want to keep it!
Somebody breaks into my home while I am there I am always going to figure the worst. The intruder isn't coming in for tea and crumpets.
