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I was just thinking.......

I have a bunch of miscellaneous posters, signs, and funny non-PC kind of stuff, on the walls in my detached garage. An example would be my "Danger - Men Drinking" sign.

I wouldn't mind having the sign that says "If you're found here at night, you'll be found here in the morning" or something to that effect. But two questions:

Where I can I buy such a non-PC sign?

Does it open me up to premeditation accusations if heaven forbid, I have to take care of an intruder? I would think for sure in big city counties, but I'm in Austin County, outside of Sealy city limits even.

Thoughts?

You can have any sign made by a sign maker. A "house for sale" type of sign costs about $25-50. You probably can order one from cafepress.com as well.

IMHO, the legality of a "castle doctrine" use of deadly force has nothing to do with any ironic signage that you may have. However, it is not legal to use deadly force in case of trespassing on land. It is dicey when you're talking about buildings that are not a residence or place of business, such as garages.

I also doubt a sign has any effect on a burglar, who may be in the dark or not be able to read.

- Jim
[Edited to correct misspelling.]

I like the one that says:

"Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be prosecuted."

Don't have the nerve to actually buy and post it, though.

I have this one but it's not displayed outside.

seamusTX wrote:You can have any sign made by a sign maker. A "house for sale" type of sign costs about $25-50. You probably can order one from cafepress.com as well.

IMHO, the legality of a "castle doctrine" use of deadly force has nothing to do with any ironic signage that you may have. However, it is not legal to use deadly force in case of trespassing on land. It is dicey when you're talking about buildings that are not a residence or place of business, such as garages.

I also doubt a sign has any effect on a burgler, who may be in the dark or not be able to read.

- Jim

Thanks Jim!

I was thinking more along the lines of the humor of the sign, not the sign actually serving as notice to a trespasser. But considering the liberal ways of so many prosecutors, I was concerned that if something did happen one day, they would point at the sign and accuse me of being trigger happy (I know that's a stupid phrase, but anti's would use it).

As far as the detached garage goes, I've already put it in my head that I'll just be calling the sherriff, while looking out the door at the intruder's activities, but armed. Nothing in that garage is worth the legal hassle to confront them and start a gunfight. I will be armed, just in case they decide to go for the house, but they'd have to pass by a by-now aggitated German Shepherd.

You don't see much prosecution of people defending their property in Texas, unless it is a really blatant misuse of force. I also doubt investigators would even report such a sign. The protection of the 1st amendment is very broad.

- Jim

IMHO, I wouldn't have the sign for the following reasons:

1) I think that gun owners should take pains to present themselves as ordinary, average, everyday people "just like you and me."

2) Castle Doctrine or not, First Amendment or not, I wouldn't want to give an overzealous prosecutor any ammunition to try and shoot me down with (pardon the pun). Even If I was sure to win, that's just one less thing to have to fight.

seamusTX wrote:You don't see much prosecution of people defending their property in Texas, unless it is a really blatant misuse of force. I also doubt investigators would even report such a sign. The protection of the 1st amendment is very broad. - Jim

If Joe Horn had one on his house I'll bet it would have been directly behind the TV reporter on the evening news.

WildBill wrote:If Joe Horn had one on his house I'll bet it would have been directly behind the TV reporter on the evening news.

Sure would, but the grand jury would not be allowed to consider it.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:

WildBill wrote:If Joe Horn had one on his house I'll bet it would have been directly behind the TV reporter on the evening news.

Sure would, but the grand jury would not be allowed to consider it. - Jim

I believe the grand jury can consider anything that they want.

bdickens wrote:I think that gun owners should take pains to present themselves as ordinary, average, everyday people "just like you and me."

Well, maybe not average.

WildBill wrote:I believe the grand jury can consider anything that they want.

I don't think the DA would admit evidence that caused the case to be dismissed. Of course, even a mistrial is major pain for the defendant.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:

WildBill wrote:I believe the grand jury can consider anything that they want.

I don't think the DA would admit evidence that caused the case to be dismissed. Of course, even a mistrial is major pain for the defendant. - Jim

Grand juries don't have trials or mistrials.

When a grand jury returns an indictment, it is usually followed by a trial with a judge presiding. The judge can dismiss that case at any point before the petit jury returns a verdict.

- Jim

seamusTX wrote:When a grand jury returns an indictment, it is usually followed by a trial with a judge presiding. The judge can dismiss that case at any point before the petit jury returns a verdict. - Jim

This is extremely rare and almost never happens.

My point is that I don't want to send a message that I want to shoot someone [because I don't want to shoot anybody]. I don't want my neighbors, coworkers, the police, the DA or a jury to think that I was looking to shoot someone. I believe some of the signs discussed would give that impression. Inside your house, garage or the game room, they might be good for a laugh, but outside is a different story. Of course, some people might have a different sense of humor than I.

You can do whatever you think best. I have no such signs. But could you refer me to a few homicide cases where signs, posters, or other written material were a factor?

- Jim