Tacoma, WA - man shoots burglar in face with a shotgun

[DoubleTapDrew]

Birdshot may work just fine for the burglar that will think "OMG I've been shot, OUCH!!!" and run away. Of course if they are that irresolute on their crime you might not even need to shoot them, just point the gun and use a command voice. Not so much for the ones on drugs not feeling any pain, you'll just give them a nice big boost of adrenaline in their system on top of the drugs, with which to charge and stab you, shoot you, etc.

 

[Dave Workman]

Birdshot may work just fine for the burglar that will think "OMG I've been shot, OUCH!!!" and run away. Of course if they are that irresolute on their crime you might not even need to shoot them, just point the gun and use a command voice. Not so much for the ones on drugs not feeling any pain, you'll just give them a nice big boost of adrenaline in their system on top of the drugs, with which to charge and stab you, shoot you, etc.

Apparently you've never been, or seen anyone else, shot at close range with a load of birdshot. It makes a real mess. For a while, this guy was in critical condition and it was touch and go. The blast hit him in the face and upper chest.

Even junkies on adrenaline aren't going to be able to function much with half their face shot away, perhaps blinded, and certainly bleeding like a sponge.

Trust me on this one, a close range shotgun blast is nothing to dismiss.

 

[Burt Gummer]

I am sure. My dad was shot with a 12g loaded with just rock salt as a teen at close range (was goofing around in neighbors yard) and he told me it was horrific. He could barely walk for days and the pain was crazy. He had to be carried off the property; and dumped LOL.

I could imagine a bunch of little #8-#7 shot embedded in you everywhere.

I'd still choose 00 for HD only because I don't want to risk my life despite the fact that I really don't want to kill anyone. It would be tragic and awful, but I'd work out the emotions after the fact. It is in my opinion (only) that when the economic collapse comes and half or more of the population is starving we will see a level of desperation that is otherwise imaginable. People will risk their lives to get to a box of crackers. That is why actions are often defined as Pre-SHTF as opposed to after SHTF. Measures are of course more extreme in the later scenario.

 

[Dave Workman]

Gun owners debate Tacoma shooting, shotguns for home defense

There appears to be nothing quite like a solid self-defense shooting to crank up the conversation on gun forums, and right now over at Northwest Firearms and WaGuns, they’re having a spirited debate about a case in Tacoma – detailed in this column Thursday – in which a would-be home invader took a load of birdshot in the face.

<broken link removed>

 

[chemist]

That's good stuff, Dave.
I can imagine wanna-be Bad Guys looking up this thread after reading that article, and realizing, OMFG, these guys are talking about plain killing me, no questions asked. That could have a chilling effect!

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

Apparently you've never been, or seen anyone else, shot at close range with a load of birdshot. It makes a real mess. For a while, this guy was in critical condition and it was touch and go. The blast hit him in the face and upper chest.

Even junkies on adrenaline aren't going to be able to function much with half their face shot away, perhaps blinded, and certainly bleeding like a sponge.

Trust me on this one, a close range shotgun blast is nothing to dismiss.

I agree, they make really nasty looking, shallow wounds. But a shot to the face, at close range, and he lives, isn't something I'd trust my life to.
One of the shotgun experts on THR related a story about a guy (in europe I think) who decided to commit suicide with a shotgun using birdshot. Took him 3 tries. The first two were to the chest (point blank obviously), no dice. Second one under the chin did the job.
Another was a shop owner who had a violent criminal come into his business after hours with a shotgun. The owner's shotgun was loaded with birdshot, the bad guy used buckshot. There was a refridgerator inbetween them. The shop owners rounds couldn't penetrate the fridge. The bad guys did, and killed the shop owner.
I have been shot with #6 from a 12 gauge at about 50 yards (hunting accident). It stung a little. Didn't break the skin. At inside-the-home ranges to the face I'd probably be blind or maybe dead. I wouldn't want to be shot with anything, but I just don't think it's a very effective round for deer size and weight predators.
It would be great to have a load that wouldn't penetrate a layer of drywall but be able to take out the vitals in a bad guy but so far we haven't gotten around the laws of physics with current technology.
BTW I love your columns, keep up the great work!

 

[ATCclears]

Man shot in face by homeowner charged with burglary | www.kirotv.com

 

[Shanel]

Man shot in face by homeowner charged with burglary | www.kirotv.com

Excellent!

 

[hermannr]

Man shot in face by homeowner charged with burglary | www.kirotv.com

and if anyone wonders why Rhodes was not charged earlier? If the guy is in the hospital, and under arrest already, the PD has to pay the hospital bill. If they just put him in Hospital, then arrest him when he is release, he (or probably more like, we, the tax payers) have to pay the hospital bill.

 

[teflon6string]

They could arrest him anywhere they wanted to because he already had a mugshot!

 

[oknow]

you know that guy is going to have a bad pot mark face for a long time

 

[accessbob]

you know that guy is going to have a bad pot mark face for a long time

LOL - that would be "pock marked."

 

[oknow]

He probably used bird shot because he didn't want kill an intruder. His mercy will be punished by the legal system that protects criminals and punishes the lawful.

no good dead will go unpunished

 

[Oregonhunter5]

I bet that hurt

 

[Rugreedy]

You guys crack me up

 

[gearheadbill]

Hopefully no one on this board will have to experience a similar situation......BUT if you do, do NOT speak to any LEO without your lawyer present. The only words that should be said by the homeowner involved in a self-defense shooting are "I want an attorney present before I make any statement or answer any questions. Thank you." LEOs are not your friend; not necessarily your enemy either, but definately not your friend.

 

[blackgunsdan]

My first shot is rubber buck shot, after that all bets are off; now I see that may not be the right way to go.

 

[lv1986]

PDX i wouldn't want to get hit by one of those things from a 12g. Yes Norv Turner reference love it haha

 

[lv1986]

Also i knew a fellow who tried the deed used birdshot, he was only ugly and regretful afterwords.

 

[PMKN_PI]

Would the accused face the jury please......AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH EEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!


Thumbs up for permanent facepalm for that guy.