Why I Love Living In Texas!
A local story today reminded me why I love living in Texas. Having come from Colorado where if you shoot an intruder on your property, you basically have to drag their sorry butt into your home and then call the cops. Not in Texas! If someone comes on your property, if they try to break into your home, if they threaten you, you are legally able to shoot them! If they are trying to escape, you can shoot them in the back...Cowboy diplomacy is NOT dead in Texas! WAAAAHOOOOOOO!
"It started shortly before three in the 25000 block of Summit Creek, near Hardy Oak, when Leonard Packham heard several pickups pull in front of his home. Packham grabbed a handgun, and perched at the top of the stars with a good view of the front door, the gun locked and loaded.
When the intruders started trying to kick in the door, Packham started firing. Police estimate he got off eight rounds before the attempt to kick in the front door ended. Police followed a trail of blood a a block away to the intersection of Summit Crest and Summit Creek. That's where they found one of the would-be home invaders dead. He had been shot three times.
Police Sergeant Gabe Trevino says Texas law is clear in cases like this.
"You are allowed to use deadly force in defending your property from imminent attack in the nighttime," he said, adding that bad guys don't have to come into your house before you can shoot.
"There's that old story that if you shoot someone you should drag them inside the house, that's not true," Travino said.
Trevino said you can even open fire at nighttime house burglars who are in the process of running away.
Two pickup trucks, apparently abandoned by the men, were found in Packham's front yard.
Detectives say there were no lights on and no cars in the driveway, and point out that the men rang the doorbell before starting to kick in the door, indicating the trio may have thought the house was empty. Trevino says the area of far north San Antonio has seen 'its fair share' of burglaries."
Since we took in evacuees from Katrina, San Antonio area crime statistics have climbed over 80%. Home invasions have increased on the west and northwest side of the city, and now this latest attack happened in the north. Carjackings have also increased. As hunters, we have always had arms, but with the recent upswing in local violence we have earned our concealed carry licenses. We both (hubby and I) carry, and are grateful for the peace of mind. Today's incident should give the bad guys a reason to think twice. Hooray, TEXAS!
"It started shortly before three in the 25000 block of Summit Creek, near Hardy Oak, when Leonard Packham heard several pickups pull in front of his home. Packham grabbed a handgun, and perched at the top of the stars with a good view of the front door, the gun locked and loaded.
When the intruders started trying to kick in the door, Packham started firing. Police estimate he got off eight rounds before the attempt to kick in the front door ended. Police followed a trail of blood a a block away to the intersection of Summit Crest and Summit Creek. That's where they found one of the would-be home invaders dead. He had been shot three times.
Police Sergeant Gabe Trevino says Texas law is clear in cases like this.
"You are allowed to use deadly force in defending your property from imminent attack in the nighttime," he said, adding that bad guys don't have to come into your house before you can shoot.
"There's that old story that if you shoot someone you should drag them inside the house, that's not true," Travino said.
Trevino said you can even open fire at nighttime house burglars who are in the process of running away.
Two pickup trucks, apparently abandoned by the men, were found in Packham's front yard.
Detectives say there were no lights on and no cars in the driveway, and point out that the men rang the doorbell before starting to kick in the door, indicating the trio may have thought the house was empty. Trevino says the area of far north San Antonio has seen 'its fair share' of burglaries."
Since we took in evacuees from Katrina, San Antonio area crime statistics have climbed over 80%. Home invasions have increased on the west and northwest side of the city, and now this latest attack happened in the north. Carjackings have also increased. As hunters, we have always had arms, but with the recent upswing in local violence we have earned our concealed carry licenses. We both (hubby and I) carry, and are grateful for the peace of mind. Today's incident should give the bad guys a reason to think twice. Hooray, TEXAS!
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