It is a bit different around here, Boone. The weapon I'm most likely to take fire from is a deer rifle in the hands of someone who has a clue of how to use it. Maximum effective range in the hands of a good shot, 800m. Maximum put thier head down range, over a mile. Maximum effective range from your average redneck, 400m, and I have approaches longer than that to the house. I have stone walls in my yard, and a number of trees, all of which make really nifty cover. The SS109s will penetrate the trunk of a birch or pine tree. Out the door might the lay in some places, but not in Vermont. If you are being shot at, you are more than welcome to shoot back.

I like to be ready for most situations. I figure that if it is ever needed, I'm not going to fire more than three or four rounds. But if I have to get down to the ball ammo, I'm going to need it.

If they are running, I'm going to let them run, but if they are running and shooting, I'm not going to sit there and take it. If they surrender, they are going to have my knee in thier back until the cops show up. Oh, and we know from experince that it takes 30 minutes to get a cop to my place with lights and sirens at 3 in the morning. I plan to be able to hold the fort for an hour as a result, against anything short of professional military personnel.

And I am fully aware of what is required for a legal shoot. I was planning on becoming a cop through academics, and still have most of a criminal justice degree, before I became totally disgusted with the state of the system. (With the points from my engineering degree, I am 6 credit hours shy.) But I'm glad you put that up for everyone else. And keep in mind, the rules of engagement allowed to me in Vermont are radically different than they are in Massachusets, and both are different from New York, eitber of which are an afternoon drive for me.

I'm also going to point out that if you ever do shoot someone, a couple of things are going to happen:
-You are going to jail until you can talk to the judge.
-Your firearm will be seized until the judge decides you can have it back. If ever.
-If you get a liberal judge and/or a DA/SP with a mad on and political dreams, you will be charged with attempted manslaughter, at a minimum.
-You will be sued if the perp lives, and by his next of kin if he doesn't.
-You have even odds of being sued for reckless endangerment and mental anguish by a hoplophobe neighbor.
-The lawsuits will damn expensive, and if you don't win them totally and completely, you can kiss your credit and savings good bye.
-You could well loose your job. If you lease, unless you have a very cool landlord, you won't live there for long. Oh, guess who just became a flight risk if they are out on bail?
-And if the perp has any buddies, watch your back. They will want to get some payback.