I have mixed feeling about this self defense story brought to you by The Red Start…
http://www.startribune.com/local/48680082.html
Vernon Allen of Moorhead, Minnesota shoot and killed an intruder in his apartment on June 20, 2009. That’s the good part now for the part I’m rather concerned about…
Police say a Moorhead man shot and killed an intruder who walked into his unlocked apartment.
Yes he shot and killed an intruder who entered his unlocked apartment. Here in Minnesota a lot of people love to boast how friendly everybody is. They say this friendliness is so strong that there is no need to even lock your doors. Bullshit. You should always have your door locked whether you’re at home or away.
Locking the door offer cheap prevention against unknown individuals entering your domicile. And no matter what a locked door needs to be dealt with whether by kicking through the door or finding an alternative means to gain entry into the building. This gives you time. The next part of this story that bothers me is the following…
He says when he didn’t leave, a fight ensued. The resident then allegedly got his shotgun, which went off during a struggle.
From how the story is written I am to believe that the man entered the fight before retrieving his shotgun. If somebody you don’t know enters your home you should assume ill intent. Upon this assumption you should arm yourself then confront the intruder. Falling out of this order and confronting the intruder before arming yourself is putting you at a disadvantage. Now it could be such a thing where the man was unable to get to his shotgun without going through the intruder but in that case it sounds like his home defense plan needs some tweaking.
Update: Here is a link with more information…
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/244383/
Mr. Allen was not charged with any crime which is good. Some people are making a stink that the intruder was only 17 but in my book if you’re old enough to enter a person’s home without permission and fight him you’re old enough to deal with the consequences.