Store manager pulls gun on robbers, faces charges (CT)

WTNH Television ^ | 3/23/07 | Puppage

[savedbygrace]

In this case?

I don't know. From the scant facts in the article, it doesn't seem like the guy was justified in pulling it out.

[Sig Sauer P220]

The top of the stairs is the "do not cross line".


What if its a 1 story house?

[wtc911]

Both wrong. This is from a page on self-defense law in the state of CT....

"A person who possesses or controls property or has a license or privilege to be in or on it is justified in using reasonable physical force when and to the extent he reasonably believes it to be necessary to stop another from trespassing or attempting to trespass in or upon it. The owner can use deadly physical force only (1) to defend a person as described above, (2) when he reasonably believes it is necessary to prevent the trespasser from attempting to commit arson or any violent crime, or (3) to the extent he reasonably believes it is necessary to stop someone from forcibly entering his home or workplace (and for the sole purpose of stopping the intruder) (CGS § 53a-20)."

[Puppage]

See Post #19

[Sue Perkick]

LOL. I do that all the time.

[Puppage]

in using reasonable physical force

Define: reasonable

And, there is the broad brush that they could quite possibly use against the homeowner who defends himself & family.

[sgtbono2002]

For the cops it was much easier arresting the store worker than going after the real perp.

Well,its like this. The cops probably took at least 20 minutes to arrive. By that time the owner was the only one around. The perps may have been a problem. They may have resisted arrest of even shot at the cops. This guy merely handed them his weapon and was arrested. Now the cops have anopther gun off the street.

[Obie Wan]

A stupid liberal state with stupid liberal ideas and unfortunately the bureaucrats in other states are pushing their states in the same direction !!!

[Niteranger68]

I don't know. From the scant facts in the article, it doesn't seem like the guy was justified in pulling it out.

From my prospective, someone who would steal your property would most like steal your life. If more thieves ended up dead on the scene, it wouldn't be such a popular sport.

[kidd]

I know where this store is. Its just across the town line from East Hartford (although it might be the only nice part of East Hartford).

East Hartford is classified as an inner-city. Lots of gangs. Manchester is getting there.

[Puppage]

East Hartford is classified as an inner-city. Lots of gangs

Should be good pick'ns when Cabela's opens, hmm?

[THEUPMAN]

Pulling a gun is a very serious step , and should not be taken lightly.

If the guy thought that he, or some other person was in danger then, yes , he had every right and even an obligation to secure their safety.
But ..... stealing a generator is not a death penalty offense. Nor is running away with one.

His priority should have been simply to secure the safety of the people on the scene.

There is no room for error once the trigger has been pulled.

But ... after saying this , I believe it's clear that this guy did nothing wrong.
He did not shoot the perp.

Where as the threat of force didn't stop the guy from stealing , it probably did have the effect of enhancing the safety of the people .
In other words ... the bad guy was getting out of town , not going back for seconds, where he could have possibly hurt someone.

If the bad guy had turned to threaten the good guy the good guy would have been justified in pulling the trigger. And in that event it would have been prudent to have his arm at the ready.

Give him a raise and a medal.

[savedbygrace]

I'm not is disagreement about that, but I'm thinking the law won't support this guy's actions. That's all.

[Niteranger68]

I'm not is disagreement about that, but I'm thinking the law won't support this guy's actions. That's all.

Roger that.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

"There comes a time in the history of every people when they become so pathologically soft and tender that they actually side with those elements of their society that harms them, i.e. criminals..."-A Great Historian 1888

[Publius Valerius]

Anything to protect the bad guy....nice, isn't it?

Maybe that was just a subtle clue as to where to drag to body. Do you think?

When I was in high school, our class had a policeman come in to talk to us about various things. One of his talks was a good life lesson. He told us that if we ever shoot a thief on our lawn, be sure to drag him inside the house before the police arrive so as to ensure best treatment from the law. Maybe your concealed carry guy was just telling you the same thing in not quite as direct sort of way.

[Publius Valerius]

But ..... stealing a generator is not a death penalty offense. Nor is running away with one.

In my state, prevention of a felony justifies use of deadly force. Generators aren't cheap, and query as to whether this qualifies as a felony, but I don't think using deadly force--which he didn't even do here--would be out of line.

[Jack of all Trades]

The text you posted is out of date. The code reference number is 53a-20, which cites 53a-19 "Use of physical force in defense of person."

53a-19 essentially says you can't kill someone unless they are trying to do you great physical harm, and you can't initiate any action that leads to that situation.

This to me seems entirely reasonable. Waving a gun and chasing after someone who stole something sounds like a good way to end up dead.

[wtc911]

The text I quoted was posted to an official Connecticut State website and was written in January of this year.