Would You Shoot Someone Over A Melon?

Up North · #1 07/26/08, 05:53 PM

We have all heard the tales of the farmer standing watch with his gun over his melon patch. So let's say you have melons in your garden. If someone tries to sneak in and steal a melon, and you see them out there, would you shoot them over a melon?
I mean really, would you?
1.) Chase them off without a firearm?
2.) Shoot to scare them off possibly winging them?
3.) Shoot to maim or kill?

Bearfootfarm · #2 07/26/08, 06:14 PM

Not enough info given to make a decision

crehberg · #3 07/26/08, 06:19 PM

I'll agree with bearfoot.....more info please.

farminghandyman · #4 07/26/08, 06:59 PM

In most locations unless you feel that your life in endangered to us a firearm in your defence will more than like put you up on charges, and if one is outside (garden), most will say you had opportunity to flee and remove your self from the danger, and if you do shoot to kill, and they are not armed, you will probly spend time in the slammer.

If you do shoot, shoot to kill, the law suits on wounding some one will go on for years and years and you will probly pay more out in law suits that you even knew existed money wise, and my be brought up on charges,

If there in your home that (depending on state) is usaly considered self defence, taking some one out that is outside of your home, will probly land you in more trouble than you want. Not worth a melon,

#5 07/26/08, 07:07 PM

Getting a butt full of rock salt should be an occupational hazard for melon snitching. It's traditional.

Buckshot on the other hand will get you talked about.

.....Alan.

zant · #6 07/26/08, 07:13 PM

When I was 14,I got rocksalt from a corn farmer...that hurt,NEVER stole corn again-pain is a wonderful teacher....except to the mentally challenged pc types.

EastCoaster · #7 07/26/08, 07:15 PM

Since it isn't listed, I'll create an option of 'None of the Above'... checkeroo

As someone already posted, it depends on the situation.... would be more than likely to go and talk to the person, find out their situation and try to help them out.

Gary in ohio · #8 07/26/08, 07:36 PM

I would love some farmer to come after me with a gun. By the time the lawyers were done, I would own the farm.

wildhorse · #9 07/26/08, 07:40 PM

None of the above.....

unless it were my ex

edcopp · #10 07/26/08, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary in ohio

I would love some farmer to come after me with a gun. By the time the lawyers were done, I would own the farm.

OR perhaps your next of kin.

foxfiredidit · #11 07/26/08, 07:48 PM

I would never ever shoot a person over a melon. In fact he/she could have the whole dang field before I would shoot them. If you ever shot someone you would live with it for the rest of your life, even if you had good cause, and a melon aint' a good cause.

I used to invade farmer's fields at night and get a watermelon to eat. Been chased off a few times, even had a shot fired but I'm sure it was into the air just for effect. We didn't go back there again. A warning shot is just that, a dire warning and probably has as much effect as anything. If you shot a person it would be worse on you than the person you shot.

65284 · #12 07/26/08, 07:50 PM

I'm not sure what I would do. But, thieves are about the lowest of the low. If they are stealing, whether its a melon or million, they deserve whatever comes their way.

farminghandyman, several states have passed what are referred to as "castle laws", you don't have to retreat and let a thief do as he wishes or take what he wants, nor do have to be in fear for your life. You have the right to stand your ground and defend yourself AND your property at home or in your vehicle.

The sooner the slimeball thugs learn they're fair game for lethal response, if they are invading, stealing, or threatining anyone, with few if any consequences to their victim, the better off we will all be.

Yeah, I'm a hard ----- when it comes to layabout druggies and lazy parasites, who want so their thing and steal to support their chosen lifestyle.

Slats · #13 07/26/08, 07:51 PM

NEVER, under any circumstances, say you "shot to kill". It will make you look like the bad guy and get you a heavy sentence. The answer is "I shot to stop a threat".

That said, as to the options given,

1.) Chase them off without a firearm?
2.) Shoot to scare them off possibly winging them?
3.) Shoot to maim or kill?

Unless it's an unspoken local law in your area, none of the above, is my choice.

The person doing the deed, unless they become a threat to your life, in no way, constitutes justification for shooting them.

Unless you're on unlimited acreage, a shot in the air would be like a shot in the dark. What goes up must come down. You could be liable for a bullet coming down and hitting an innocent person or animal.

For one melon season, a person could chose the biggest and best melons (or any and all) and inject them with vodka or some other vile tasting alcohol product. It might convince the thieves that the watermelon are bitter and they don't want anything to do with them.

Then again, if they like liquor, injected alcohol might keep them coming back for more.

poorboy · #14 07/26/08, 07:51 PM

fer 'em to step away from the melon first, wouldn't like to git blood on something I was fixing to eat..

DutchAcres · #15 07/26/08, 07:55 PM

We don't get to kill people for property crimes and get away with it. The use of deadly force or the threat of deadly force is (legally) reserved for very specific situations.

Outside those very specific situations, even threatening the use of deadly force will probably completely ruin your life (if you get caught).

Unless you are in fear of losing your life, or believe someone else is about to lose their life, and the only way you can stop it is deadly force, don't even think about it.

Alright. Enough soap boxing. I'm done now.

EasyDay · #16 07/26/08, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary in ohio

I would love some farmer to come after me with a gun.

If you're trespassing and stealing, I, too, would love some farmer to come after you with a gun.

**ladycat** · #17 07/26/08, 07:59 PM

Just don't shoot my cat.

Would You Shoot Someone Over A Melon? - Homesteading Questions

Rockin'B · #18 07/26/08, 08:03 PM

Is a melon worth a human life?

Maybe to some, but certainly not to me.

In most states, deadly force can only be used when under threat of loss of your own life. I highly doubt that most jurisdictions would look favorably on killing someone over a melon. I'm pretty sure I won't test the theory.

I have firearms and won't hesitate to use them to protect my family and I, but a melon????

YuccaFlatsRanch · #19 07/26/08, 08:04 PM

"We don't get to kill people for property crimes and get away with it. The use of deadly force or the threat of deadly force is (legally) reserved for very specific situations.

Outside those very specific situations, even threatening the use of deadly force will probably completely ruin your life (if you get caught).

Unless you are in fear of losing your life, or believe someone else is about to lose their life, and the only way you can stop it is deadly force, don't even think about it."

Thats why you live in crime infested Michigan and I live in Texas where I don't lock my doors when I go to bed, nor when I go to town. My keys to my truck are tossed on the dash. Come and try to steal my truck - I dare you.

Castle Doctrine laws have changed a bunch lately. Of course I think it is still illegal to even own a gun in Detroit.

Turkeyfether · #20 07/26/08, 08:10 PM

BUT~~~ What if this was a RIPE melon ??? A RIPE JUICY melon? and every store was OUT of ripe juicy melons?