Do I have the right to point a weapon at an individual on my front porch who I believed was going to cause harm to me or my family or rob my house?
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Do I have the right to point a weapon at an individual on my front porch who I believed was going to cause harm to me or my family or rob my house?
I own a muzzle loader. Two men were watching my house from across the street. They then pulled into my driveway. One man entered my porch, there was another man passed out in the car in my driveway. The man did not knock, identify himself or his presence in any way. I answered the door with my muzzle loader in my right hand but never directly pointed it at him. It was never leveled or shouldered. Even if I did point it at him, do I have the right to do so in the state of CT?
Asked on May 6, 2009 under Criminal Law, Connecticut
Answers:
M.D., Member, California and New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
Based on the facts as presented and my reading of the applicable laws, I would say yes. You have the right to use force, or in your instance, threat of force.
You should refer to Chapter 951 of the State Penal Code. Specifically, Sec 53a-19 Use Of Physical Force On Defense Of Person; Sec 53a-20 Use Of Physical In Defense Of Premise; and Sec 53a-21 - Use Of Physical Force In Defense Of Property.
Since I'm not licensed in Connecticut I would seek the counsel of an attorney in your area. You should be prepared in the event some sort of legal action is pursued against you.
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