[John123]

I'm siding with Mr. White on this one. My yard is my first defense zone, and when I have a gun standing defending my yard and some smart ass kid smacks my hand holding that gun, well I will be on trial too.

#1 -- make sure you can legally shoot people on your property

#2 -- like some of the posters said, make sure you say, "I intentionally shot the guy because I feared for my life."

Mr. White did neither. He admitted to accidentally shooting the kid. In short, he admitted to manslaughter which is the felony that he was convicted of.

It doesn't matter what the extenuating circumstances are. He pretty much admitted that he carelessly took a life of a man due to his mishandling of the illegal gun.

[bvw]

... the illegal gun ...

You don't have to say more.

[El Gato]

#2 -- like some of the posters said, make sure you say, "I intentionally shot the guy because I feared for my life."

Now that depends on the situation and the jurisdiction. Certainly don't say it if the facts indicate otherwise. But it's not necessary in enlightened states which allow for use of potentially deadly force in defensive of more than just one's life or limb.