Using cheap trap loads for defence?

any weapon will be considered lethal in this context

Doesn't matter what you do. You point a gun at someone and pull the trigger...the courts will think only ONE thing. You meant to kill.
The debate in court will then focus on the situation that got you to pulling the trigger, with your sentence determined from there. Don't think you'll walk away unpunished.

Khalnath said:
Yes, but the court will not regard birdshot as "less than lethal". With regards to beanbags... they have a minimum safe range, which you are unlikely to be over inside your house. You MAY look better if you load these... but don't be too shocked if there's still blood when you use them.
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the point is knowing the law, and knowing when you are justified in pulling the trigger.
if you are ever unlucky enough that you are in a situation where your use of lethal force is justified against an armed intruder, then you are probably better off if your use of lethal force is actually lethal.
if its not, then aside from whatever arises from not immediately stopping the threat you can bet that the perp will give a completely different account of events than what actually transpired - and itll be his word vs your word. in Canada the sworn testimony of some POS scumbag like a home-invader actually counts for something, so again - get buckshot.
 
Doesn't matter what you do. You point a gun at someone and pull the trigger...the courts will think only ONE thing. You meant to kill.
The debate in court will then focus on the situation that got you to pulling the trigger, with your sentence determined from there. Don't think you'll walk away unpunished.
Click to expand...

Actually, everything does matter in a jury trial. When you're in a jury trial you are trying to convince at least one juror that you were in reasonable fear for your life, and that you used whatever was nearby to defend yourself.

If you used your anti-zombie shotgun, that's all black with a sideshell carrier, and 00 or slugs, he is going to hold it up and say 'is this what you used' and the jurors are going to look at it and be influenced by its appearance. Remember, people think black guns are more dangerous, just like they think red cars go faster. Also, if you are able to say: I was scared, I grabbed whatever I had and I did what I believe I had to do, which is the basic self-defense argument, and the jury has to believe it.

It you were smart, and therefore prepared to defend yourself, it may actually work against you.
 
Unless the guy is totally out of his mind the sound of you shucking your pump will be the only warning needed. There is no sound like it. Then he has to worry about what is coming out of the business end. I for one would not want to be hit by even the plastic that comes out of the barrel !!!
 
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I've done extensive 2 3/4" (7.5 shot) shooting at a lot of various objects. I would feel reasonably safe shooting at an attacker with it. It won't go through steel, but it will go through thin wood and definitely flesh. I would only use it in a pinch though. I would prefer BB/Slugs/Buckshot. I keep a couple of rounds of all of them for various reasons (mostly for fun) but also just in case someone wants to rape someone in the house........ Yesterday I tried 3" 000 Buck through my Mossberg 500. I think I would try that if I had the time to find it.
 
I'd feel better with #4 in an apartment personally.
I understand the "shoot to kill" point of some guys here very well, but inside an apartment building... 2 rounds of #4 should slow down the idiot enough for someone to secure him without any risk of wounding the neighbor's kids, much less risk than 00 buckshot or slug anyway.
 
Years ago I put a short piece of board in a crack (vertical) of the top rail of a fence. At about 15 feet with 00 buck 2 3/4 I let one shot go. The board didn't move. I checked it out and counted 12 had hit, they appeared to gone halfway through. I made sure the board was in the same spot and put in a heavy game load #4 2 3/4 and went back to the same distance and repeated the shot. Much to my surprise the board went flying backwards about 6-8 feet. When I examined the board it was hard to find any significant space where there was not "damage" from the shot.
Conclusion: Heavy game load #4 up close and personal would be far more devastating!
 
rule of thumb in home defence,1 dont reach for a firearm, unless you intend to kill the target.
2. dead men tell no tales. in your defence, in court. there will be your word, a broken into house, and a dead intruder.

an intruder might be armed as well. i would not risk my familys life on wether or not bird shot might stop an intruder in my home. wall penetration? make sure that your family are behind you. i bought my house after checking that the rooms, were grouped together at one end, if i had to defend my home, move ahead with your family behind you. :dancingbanana:
oh and i cliam drinking and typing, on this post :p
 
without getting into when to shioot questions, whatever load you use, make sure it functions every time in your shotgun and under stress or odd positions . I've had too many issues with cheap trap loads ( especially winchester aluminum based) not feeding or even ejecting under rapid slide movement in a variety of shotguns to rely on them for home defense
 
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