Gun Control & RKBA

My one and only DGU, and I hope it stays that way. No shots fired. None needed.

However, the situation I faced wasn't one in which I had to make an instant decision: fairly clear view (it was dark outside, but plenty of ambient light) of a single person in the process of prying open the sliding glass window of my dining area, with no way for him to see me first. I could have legally opened fire: Oregon law permits the use of deadly force against someone trying to break in to an occupied building - they don't have to be inside). But I realized he probably thought no one was home, as it was pretty early in the evening and no lights on that were visible from outside. Deep breath to calm down...flicked on the dining room light. The guy looks up and sees a pistol pointed at him. He spun around and hauled ass over the back fence. Took a while to get to sleep that evening...

Why didn't I fire, despite being legally permitted to do so? Because there was no need to do so. The guy couldn't get to me quickly, as he hadn't gotten the window open and would still have had to climb through (not that hard, as it's a big window, but still would have taken time). I could see both of his hands pretty well even before the light came on, so I could have seen him reach for a weapon had he done so. I have zero interest in shooting anyone who doesn't present a clear and present danger.

Now had there been a lot of lights on and every reason to believe the house was occupied? I don't think that would have changed my reaction...but I'd have been a lot more ready to fire. Someone breaking into a house they believe is occupied, even if their prior intent was only robbery, presents a real danger to a small female who lives alone.

Yeah, I realize I'll probably get a "cool story, bro" for this, but nothing I can do about that. This incident had one very useful benefit: I know I won't freak out in such a situation - or at least ones like this, with enough time to carefully consider my response. I'm a bit of a cold fish, emotionally (I'm wired a bit funny), so I kind of assumed I'd be okay...but no one can never know that until such a situation actually arises.

PS: I was tempted not to answer due to your rather insulting (and a bit sad) use of "word salad." Sorry, but there was nothing unclear or obfuscatory about what I wrote. Perhaps you have me confused with jimmy the one. Then again, I didn't really think you were here to actually discuss anything, but this latest response to me made me question that assumption. So a completely genuine "thanks" for that...