Arkansas has the same strict laws as Texas. We are close Allies.

Kill someone while they are driving off in your truck and see where that gets you.
Shoot someone in the back while they are fleeing from a robbery and see where that gets you.

Intrepreting the law as you read it, and, carrying out vigilante justice before someone has their day in court, are 2 different things.

 

Who says a thief can read in the first place?

 

A terrible suggestion, that would be


OP, lock your truck and keep the keys secure. Dont, you know, leave a key in the truck.

 

For the record! Nobody is shooting anybody in the back, shooting at a car thief as they drive away or “kidnapping” anyone!
Living in a “Stand Your Ground / Castle Doctrine” state give a person the right to protect themselves, their loved ones and their property.
You could guarantee that if I hear my alarm going off in the middle of the night, I’m going out there armed. Bad guy runs away, so be it. I call the police and give them the SD cards from my cameras. BUT, if mister scumbag hangs around, there WILL be an altercation. If he draws on me, whether it be a gun, knife or a break in tool, he’s going to take one in the forehead.

 

Having a "stand your ground /castle doctrine" law does not give you the right to use lethal force to protect property.

Nor is protecting property worth your stress, money, legal jeopardy, time, possible threats of retaliation on you and your family, etc, for shooting and possibly killing somebody, over property.

I can guarantee that every knowledgeable objective party will tell you that if you hear your car alarm going off at night outside, the intelligent and wise thing to do is to stay inside.

I have trouble understanding people who value their vehicle above their life and limb. Just seems like the wrong priority hierarchy.





And what if he doesn't draw anything on you? What if it's a she? What if you initiate that physical confrontation, which you just publicly guaranteed you would do, and that one person is unarmed, and you shoot and kill them anyway?


Avoidance and deescalation are priority 1. When you and yours are safe, keep it that way. Don't go looking for a fight and don't go looking for a lethal force confrontation when it is avoidable. It's property. No matter what you may think, your truck is not more valuable than your life.

 

Read what I wrote! Talking about protecting myself, NOT the property!

 

The simple hidden fuel pump toggle switch is the most effective drive off theft prevention device. Back into parking spots to discourage tow offs.
Nothing is 100% effective. Never ever shoot at a fleeing thief...

Brad

 

I read what you wrote, but the issue is you telling us you intend to initiate a (physical, violent) confrontation over property, when you could safely avoid this confrontation.

Life and limb > property. Don't risk your life and limb over mere property. That's the smart call, and the one least likely to put you in legal jeopardy as well.

 

i have insurance to cover the loss and the legal battles that would follow aren’t worth pulling the trigger.

The situation would have to be in a him or me/loved one place to pull the trigger.

I have never had the pleasure of looking through bars and have no plans on doing so in the future.

 

Use of deadly force must be provable in a court of law. You can be jailed or face a wrongful death suit from the perps family, if you cannot prove yourself.
We have the Castle Doctrine and Stand Your Ground. Taking a life should always be the last resort. You are legally allowed to hold a perp at gunpoint here until the police arrive. You can use deadly force if you can prove that yourself or someone else was in imminent danger of having their life taken. Lock your vehicle and have insurance. If you catch someone in the act, you can attempt to hold them at gunpoint and a citizens arrest is legal. Don't shoot a fleeing perp who wasn't trying to physically harm you. Call the police and offer a good description. Your insurance will cover your loss. That's my 2 cents before the thread gets shut down.