I saw some guy with a backpack running thorugh the lawns of my neighborhood. I grabbed my shotgun and was coming out the patio door when he jumped over my fence. I yelled "hey" and he jumped back over about twice as fast!
I called 9-11 but before I could hang up a cop was out front in his squad car. I ran out (minus the gun) to point which way the guy ran. I wasn't about to say that I scared him off and had a gun in my hand! (I just happened to be cleaning it when...)
"Brandishing" I believe is the term used and is illegal in minor situations such as arguing and then opening your coat to show a weapon to get the other guy to shut up.
In the article the guys were in a neighbor's yard so that may be a key point. In my state you can use a firearm to stop or prevent a felony from occuring or the felon from escaping. I guess it might take a lot of gas to be a felony! (Could always put the neighbor's "stolen car" next to the bodies if need be.)
The cops have told me that trespassing is not considered anything but a real minor violation. I agree if the person is only trespassing, then you must tread lightly.
I believe that on your own property you can always be armed, just conceal it. If the trespassing then turns into somthing serious you can defend yourself. In MD you can only defend yourself if you have nowhere left to run.
I would love to put this on the ballet and really mess up the liberal criminal lovers.