From: rboudrie@chpc.org (Rob Boudrie)
Newsgroups: rec.guns
Subject: Re: home protection concerns
Date: 25 Jan 93 01:04:27 GMT
Organization: Center For High Perf. Computing of WPI; Marlboro Ma

In article <JANECZKO.93Jan20222918@csd630a.erim.org> janeczko@csd630a.erim.org (Mike Janeczko) writes:
#around the house for protection.  He said definetly use factory loads.  His 
#reason was that if by chance you end up killing a perp. with a handloaded
#cartridge, the prosecuting lawyer might portray you using excessive force.
#His reasoning might be that necessary force could have been carried out 
#with factory load (i.e. non-maximum loads).  This also got me thinking about 
#the caliber of the gun also being considered as excessive force?  Has there 
#been any cases involving this?

A local IPSC shooter I compete with was recently tried on three counts of
assault with a deadly weapon in Rhode Island (he was found innocent on all
counts - he drew on some houebreaking juveniles who attacked him - the 
prosecutor chose to use them as wittnesses rather than defendants and
the defendant refused to "play ball" and plead out to disturbing the 
peace/disorderly conduct or some such nonsense).

Among the issues raised at trial :
- Why did you carry such a powerful gun (it was a 45)
- How many people have you killed? (he is a Viet. Vet.)

Also -

No matter how good you are at reloading, you're not going to match
the process control and monitoring of a "real" ammo factory (note
that I am excluding "private label small volume" ammo like MagSafe
where you merely buy someone else's reloading service).
#
#Another point my father made that I guess makes sense is that when loading a 
#clip  (doesn't apply in my case, at least not yet :-)  you should 
#"fingerprint-proof" your bullets.  This can be done by loading the clip with a 
#glove on or use a towel when loading.  This gives one less piece of evidence 
#tieing you to the gun.  It may not help, but why give the prosecutor any kind 
#of edge.

It gives the prosecutor an "edge" only if you intend on covering up your
actions.  (I'll not repeat the advice about deciet in the aftermath 
since everyojne else will cover that).

If I am even so unfortuante enuf to be involved in a shooting, I'll want
as much forensic evidence as possible to document what happened, as I
will deal with the situation by telling the truth in the presence of the
attorney who will be draining my life savings to represent my interests.
I personally would be more concerned with being UNABLE to prove that
my statements properly represent reality than with covering up reality.



#
#Does anyone else have any other tips?  Or comments on what I stated?
#
#

Find someone else to get self protection advice from; he's batting
.500.

#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#Michael Janeczko               |   Environmental Research Institute of Michigan
#Research Scientist             |   P.O. Box 134001
#internets:                     |   Ann Arbor, MI 48113-4001
# janeczko@erim.org             |   Phone: (313) 994-1200 x2676
#-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                        rob b.