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i assume if someone has a "trespassers may/will be shot" sign and actually shoots someone they will be in trouble with the law. correct?

i dont understand these signs, we have family property in the middle of no-where Washington and I see alot of these sign up all over the place.

(I am a n00b to gun laws so please excuse my ignorance)

I figured there is no way they could get away with it so why post the signs?? scare tactics?
 
Shooting someone for tresspassing is like shooting someone for shoplifting.

You only shoot someone when in the defense of yourself or others when you feel that your life (or others) is in jeopardy of greater bodily harm or threat of death.

Posting signs like that can be both a hinderance and a blessing. When you post something like that a defense attourney can state you gave ample warning to the subjects while a prosecuter can spin it that you are just some trigger happy redneck looking for an excuse to shoot someone.

Signs of "No Tresspassing" should be used over the latter because of the reasons stated above. The "victim" and/or their family members WILL sue you....expect that. Yes, we are a Castle Doctrine state, but realize that your RESIDENCE and your PROPERTY are two completly different things.

Firearms should only be used as a last resort...remember, even pointing a firearm at someone is assault with a deadly weapon.
 
I prefer the signs that say trespassers will be violated!

deliverance.jpg
 
Shooting someone for tresspassing is like shooting someone for shoplifting.

You only shoot someone when in the defense of yourself or others when you feel that your life (or their's) is in jeopardy of greater bodily harm or threat of death.

Posting signs like that can be both a hinderance and a blessing. When you post something like that a defense attourney can state you gave ample warning to the subjects while a prosecuter can spin it that you are just some trigger happy redneck looking for an excuse to shoot someone.

Signs of "No Tresspassing" should be used over the latter because of the reasons stated above. The "victim" and/or their family members WILL sue you....expect that. Yes, we are a Castle Doctrine state, but realize that your RESIDENCE and your PROPERTY are two completly different things.

Firearms should only be used as a last resort...remember, even pointing a firearm at someone is assault with a deadly weapon.

Not in Washington, we have a separate law for just aiming down on someone, there are still some caveats so I quoted the RCW below. The deadly weapon part is now an enhancement to a crime.

I do agree that drawing down on someone is a last resort, basically the time to shoot is upon you and the assailant has from the time you realize that until just before the firing pin hits the primer to stop his actions.

RCW 9.41.230

RCW 9.41.230
Aiming or discharging firearms, dangerous weapons.


(1) For conduct not amounting to a violation of chapter 9A.36 RCW, any person who:

(a) Aims any firearm, whether loaded or not, at or towards any human being;

(b) Willfully discharges any firearm, air gun, or other weapon, or throws any deadly missile in a public place, or in any place where any person might be endangered thereby. A public place shall not include any location at which firearms are authorized to be lawfully discharged; or

(c) Except as provided in RCW 9.41.185, sets a so-called trap, spring pistol, rifle, or other dangerous weapon,

although no injury results, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(2) If an injury results from a violation of subsection (1) of this section, the person violating subsection (1) of this section shall be subject to the applicable provisions of chapters 9A.32 and 9A.36 RCW.
 
Gross Misdemeanor? That's a new one on me...I'm always used to them tacking on the "Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon" charge. Never seen anyone get charged with "Aiming Dangerous Weapons". I wonder if that is a way to charge you for open carry?
 
Gross Misdemeanor? That's a new one on me...I'm always used to them tacking on the "Assault w/ a Deadly Weapon" charge. Never seen anyone get charged with "Aiming Dangerous Weapons". I wonder if that is a way to charge you for open carry?

I think it is for aiming your weapon at someone when you don't have any justification to. Did you notice how it says when conduct not amounting to a violation of chapter 9A.36. Aiming a weapon at someone in commission of a crime is an enhancement but this is a separate crime where no other violations are involved, i.e. drawing down on someone merely trespassing.
 
A less aggressive sign to warn people to keep out I've seen said something like "Caution, Active firing range in use, Do Not Enter!"
I kind of like the one with a picture of a Barrett saying "If you can read this, you are in range" but it's got the same possible legal problems as the original post, along with the "Anyone found here at night will be found here in the morning" type signs.
 
It is simply a threat and has no legal merit, but I'll let you go check it out and cover your six. Report back to me on how it worked. (G) You could be right, dead right!
 
A less aggressive sign to warn people to keep out I've seen said something like "Caution, Active firing range in use, Do Not Enter!"
I kind of like the one with a picture of a Barrett saying "If you can read this, you are in range" but it's got the same possible legal problems as the original post, along with the "Anyone found here at night will be found here in the morning" type signs.

they all have possible legal problems. a fence and a 'no trespassing' sign is as far as I'd go myself.
 
I see a whole can of worms of legal problems. Say you put up a sign you think is clever such as "Anyone found here at night will be found here in the morning." Cute.

Now suppose something happens one night and you actually do have to shoot an armed intruder (rustler maybe) on your back 40 while checking your livestock to see what the commotion is.

Anyone else see the possible issue here? Anyone else see the same issue of you have signs that say "Trespassers will be shot?"

Why have signs that make you look like a nutcase when some day you may have a real necessary shooting incident?

$.02
 
why such a discussion about a sign? who cares what your sign says. i have one of those signs, its meant to be FUNNY, but very true.
OBVIOUSLY, if you defend yourself or your family within the law, it doesnt matter what kind of signs you have up. ANY prosecutor is going to try to twist the story their way.
Its like saying if you have a "Bite Me Chevy Boy" sticker on your Ford, get into an accident with a GM brand, that someones going to say "See! He had it out for Chevy drivers! That was intentional!"
rubbish
 
I would err on the side of caution on this one. While I agree that a 'trespassers will be shot' sign is really harmless and doesn't indicate someone is looking kill someone, I do believe it would give the DA a lot of ammo against you if you had to shoot someone on your property.
 

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