Man arrested for booby-trapping home

[BiggAndyy]

I put this story here because on one of the old boards there was a discussion about booby-trapping for home protection and in this story we see the outcome.

Source

A Las Vegas, N.M., man has been arrested after police say he put a potentially lethal booby-trap in his home to stop burglars.

Benny Armijo, 43, was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Police say he admitted to setting the trap.

State police spokesperson Lt. Jimmy Glascock described the trap as a shotgun rigged with some sort of material like fishing line to pull the trigger when someone opened the door.

And that’s what happened, according to police. Scott Gallegos, while allegedly burglarizing the place, was shot in the arm with the shotgun. His injury was so severe that he was airlifted to the University of New Mexico Hospital.

Neighbors say Armijo and Gallegos were actually friends.

Gallegos will be charged in the incident, police say. Friday night, he was still in the hospital in stable condition.

[galahad]

With "friends" like that no wonder the guy set the trap.

[skcusloa]

There aren't really enough details.

It sounds like he rigged the shotgun up at his front door.

Did he leave the front door open or was it locked? It doesn't say.

I don't know about y'all but my front door is the strongest one on my house. A thief would be much better off with a window or the sliding door. Another thing, IT'S ON THE FRONT OF MY HOUSE, WHERE EVERYONE COULD SEE SOMEONE BREAKING IN!

It's not a smart idea to set one of these traps up, but I don't think he should be punished for his trap working on a thief.

[Anonymous]

It's against the law to 'injure' a burglar?

If that's true, what is this world coming too if you can't even protect your house?!!

[Slayer Returns]

I would just have to ask the cop out of suspicion...what's going on? Is the criminals giving you a cut to protect them?

[A_Patriot]

The laws concerning the use of lethal force tend to vary from state-to-state, but for the most part, the use of lethal force i.e.. (a shotgun, pistol, rifle, etc.) is unjustified unless the perp is inside your home, armed, and you have no path of retreat.

Shoot an intruder outside of these parameters and you can end up in prison yourself or being sued for all you're worth.  

[BiggAndyy]

I can undertand a bit some of the rationale.  If there is a fire in your home while you are away the fire department will want to do a sweep of the home for survivors.  If the room booby trapped was still active then an innocent civillian is in danger.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I agree, booby-trapping your house is a bit extreme.  The chance to injure
or kill an innocent person, or even yourself, is too great a risk to take in my opinion.
On the other hand, if there is an intruder in the house, I plan on confronting them
straight forward with a six-gun salute!  Why should I have to be worried about
going to prison when I'm defending my family and my home?  That just
really bothers me that there are laws out there that dictate what you can and can't do to an intruder in the name of self defense.

[A_Patriot]

Smoke,

I agree with you 100 percent! I'll do whatever's  necessary to protect my family, then I'll worry about the consequences.

[Anonymous]

A_Patriot,

Everytime I see your avatar I crack up laughing!    
Is that your cat or what?  lol

[BadShot]

Smoke,

I agree with you 100 percent! I'll do whatever's  necessary to protect my family, then I'll worry about the consequences.

What is the consequences mean a substantial loss of your freedoms?

[josh]

what a bunch of crap. I ve been wanting to rig some iI.E.D.'s just in case. But that is a trip straight to the slammer.

[Slivers]

The laws concerning the use of lethal force tend to vary from state-to-state, but for the most part, the use of lethal force i.e.. (a shotgun, pistol, rifle, etc.) is unjustified unless the perp is inside your home, armed, and you have no path of retreat.

Shoot an intruder outside of these parameters and you can end up in prison yourself or being sued for all you're worth.  

It's a lot easier to make a "no retreat" case when you're the only witness.  

[ShadowAngel]

If you're going to shoot an intruder, make sure you take them out. If they live, it actually causes more problems. Being sued by a robber because you shot them is the most foolish thing i've ever heard. Luckily, I like in Oklahoma..which has a law called "make my day", that basically states if someone enters your house and threatens you in the slightest, you are free to use deadly force. You don't have to worry about if they're armed, or try to escape the situation.

[handyrandyrc]

I don't know if Utah calls it a "make my day" law, but if a person is in the PROCESS of breaking in, either by stealth or by force, or HAS made entry, the assumption is that they are there to KILL EVERYONE in the house.  Until you have a certain knowledge otherwise, the law assumes they are there with deadly intent.

Even IN THE ACT of breaking in.  And again, either surreptitiously or forcefully.