Legal question about the right to defend property forcefully

I've always kind of wondered about a carjackingscenerio like this;

Say you're getting into your car, and somebody runs up to you, pulls out a gun, and tells you to get out of your car. So you step down, and they procede to get in.

Now what if, while they're distracted, fiddling with your keys, you pull out a concealedhandgun, and blow them away.

Do you get in trouble?

I don't know what the law is... but you shouldn't.

I don't know what the law is... but you shouldn't.

BMD004

Why do people get out of the car in those situations? What are they gonna do, shoot you? They're probably more scared than you are.Dark__Link

Why do people get out of the car in those situations? What are they gonna do, shoot you? They're probably more scared than you are.Dark__Link

Is it worth taking someones life over loosing your car?

Depends on what would make you loose sleep over more.

There are a ton of car jackings in South Africa. So this guy attached flame throwers to the sides of his car so when the people went up to steal his car he torched them. He was arrested for manslaughter. So yeah it's a bad idea to kill people trying to steal your car.

If someone pulls a gun on you and threatens to kill you, I think you have justification right there. If you dont want to get shot, dont pull a gun on someone and say you are going to kill them.

I'm pretty sure human life is more valuable than a car

Probably illegal, as he wouldn't be a threat in any way at that point in time, thereby negating self-defense as a defense.

Its Illegal to even point a gun at a bear thats trying to maul your entire family in Canada, so ya, its sadly ilegal.

I'd just hit him with my car and then go home.

There are a ton of car jackings in South Africa. So this guy attached flame throwers to the sides of his car so when the people went up to steal his car he torched them. He was arrested for manslaughter. So yeah it's a bad idea to kill people trying to steal your car.

TheHighWind

That is amazing! I think people have the right to protect themselves though. If that means killing them, then so be it.

Provided that the weapon you use is legal, yeah, as one would legitimately "fear for his/her life".

Probably illegal, as he wouldn't be a threat in any way at that point in time, thereby negating self-defense as a defense.

789shadow

Under the described scenario, the other person still has possession of a firearm.

Is it worth taking someones life over loosing your car?

Depends on what would make you loose sleep over more.

Mind_Mover

Why do people get out of the car in those situations? What are they gonna do, shoot you? They're probably more scared than you are.Dark__Link

Well if you're driving around say in Johannesburg then yes, they will most likely shoot you no problem at all.