2 minutes ago, Scott F said:

If you shoot someone breaking into a car, you’ll go to jail. 

Depends on the state

MN Law

 

609.06 AUTHORIZED USE OF FORCE.

....

(4) when used by any person in lawful possession of real or personal property, or by another assisting the person in lawful possession, in resisting a trespass upon or other unlawful interference with such property;

 

So the use of force on someone breaking into your car is legal here.

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.06

17 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Depends on the state

MN Law

 

609.06 AUTHORIZED USE OF FORCE.

....

(4) when used by any person in lawful possession of real or personal property, or by another assisting the person in lawful possession, in resisting a trespass upon or other unlawful interference with such property;

 

So the use of force on someone breaking into your car is legal here.

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/609.06

That statute is for using reasonable force, not deadly force.

1 minute ago, Scott F said:

That statute is for reasonable force, not deadly force.

If I go out there initially with my sword in hand and he/she pulls a gun...out comes the pocket-pistol. Escalation of force...

Lets all be careful of free internet legal advice...

1 hour ago, Scott F said:

If you shoot someone breaking into a car, you’ll go to jail. 

I'm quite aware of that.  Fiancee is a public defender.

 

Also pretty aware that a jury here isn't going to convict me for protecting my property.

13 hours ago, Scott F said:

If you shoot someone breaking into a car, you’ll go to jail. 

X2.  

 

If you do not use reasonable force to protect your personal property you are in deep doo-doo.

 

Just lock the car and if you have to leave the car in your driveway when you go on a trip remove the garage door opener as suggested above.

We have a Ring doorbell and flood light camera.  It's unbelievable how many people in our Ring Neighboorhood Group post videos of people "breaking into" their cars that they have left unlocked.  Even had cars stolen because their unlocked car has a spare key in it somewhere. It's simple to lock your car door when you get out of it.  That or don't leave anything valuable in it.  In our area, especially in the warm months, we've had young punks going drive way to drive way checking car doors to see if they are unlocked.  They are pretty brazen too, not covering their faces or wearing gloves or anything. In the county just to the south of us we had a homeowner with a gun confront some of the thieves and he was shot at as the thieves retreated, so that's pretty scary.

I don’t have a whole lot to steal but if someone was outside stealing something I wouldn’t shoot them but I wouldn’t mind hurting them a little.?

I have more trouble with relatives that steal though than  random theifs off the street.

10 hours ago, moguy1973 said:

We have a Ring doorbell and flood light camera.  It's unbelievable how many people in our Ring Neighboorhood Group post videos of people "breaking into" their cars that they have left unlocked.  Even had cars stolen because their unlocked car has a spare key in it somewhere. It's simple to lock your car door when you get out of it.  That or don't leave anything valuable in it.  In our area, especially in the warm months, we've had young punks going drive way to drive way checking car doors to see if they are unlocked.  They are pretty brazen too, not covering their faces or wearing gloves or anything. In the county just to the south of us we had a homeowner with a gun confront some of the thieves and he was shot at as the thieves retreated, so that's pretty scary.

Why wear gloves or a mask when there are no consequences? 

16 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Why wear gloves or a mask when there are no consequences? 

Very true.  Cops already said they really can't do anything unless they catch them in the act.

1 hour ago, moguy1973 said:

Very true.  Cops already said they really can't do anything unless they catch them in the act.

And then they just lock them up and let them out a few hours later