I just realized that all the cool changes to the state self defense laws are taking effect just in time for zombie season. Heh.
I just realized that all the cool changes to the state self defense laws are taking effect just in time for zombie season. Heh.
yes, lets go down to the winchester for a cold brew. 😉
sorry, lame Shaun of the Dead reference
What changes?
awesome ones regarding the ability to stand your ground when in or around your home (you no longer have to retreat before using deadly force to defend yourself when you're already in your own house), the ability to defend the life based on your own perception of the threat to their life, not theirs , and zero liability for force used in self defense.
About damn time.
Clarification
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0311.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0312.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0314.htm
IANAL, etc. YMMV
hell yes!
/me goes to buy a gun
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0311.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0312.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0314.htm
IANAL, etc. YMMV
It's that last one that I'm personally most grateful for.
From what I read, it's not just in your house where you no longer have the duty to retreat before using deadly force in self-defense, but your "conveyance" as well. This would seem to also apply to your car or even your bicycle, but I'm not a lawyer, this is not legal advice and YMMV.
Sec. 21c. (1) In cases in which section 2 of the self-defense act does not apply, the common law of this state applies except that the duty to retreat before using deadly force is not required if an individual is in his or her own dwelling or within the curtilage of that dwelling.
(2) As used in this section, "dwelling" means a structure or shelter that is used permanently or temporarily as a place of abode, including an appurtenant structure attached to that structure or shelter.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0313.htm
All of the changes are in PA 309-315:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0309.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0310.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0311.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0312.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0313.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0314.htm
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0315.htm
I'm sorry, I was confusing the several changes in the laws.
Here is where I read about vehicles and conveyances:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2005-2006/publicact/htm/2006-PA-0311.htm
It has been my experience that a pump-action shotgun is the best home security device. The signature "cack-cack" of a shotgun tells any intruder what you are wielding and there should be no doubt left in his mind what you have and what it means to him. Plus, you don't have to have terribly good aim to be effective with it.
As for me, I opt for edged weapons because I have trained extensively in the art of knife fighting and it makes very little sound, just in case the dude brought friends.
Have you defended your home before with a shotgun, or are you just being rhetorical about "your experience"? The pattern from an 18" shotgun barrel expands about an inch for every yard it travels downrange. This means that you'll still need to have some sense of aim when you're using it. Also, you will want hearing protection, as the sound pressure from a shotgun indoors is more than sufficient to blow your eardrums and make your ears (as well as anyone else's in the room) bleed. The hearing loss will most likely be permanent.
In any event, taking a self-defense firearms course from a licensed instructor would probably be a very good idea before considering to keep any weapon in the home for home defense. There were a whole host of issues that I had never thought about before taking my CPL courses.
The only times I had a shotgun in my hand, I was not allowed to discharge the weapon and I was speaking rhetorically as I have very little real experience with guns of any kind.
Please tell me you're not one of those people worried about the zombie apocalypse.
Anyway, I'd just like to point out that if people take their CPL courses now, and then start the paperwork process, they should have their CPLs in hand by the time these laws take effect. Having your CPL also makes it much easier and faster to buy a pistol in Michigan, since the background check required for the CPL application is far more in-depth and thorough than the background check for a pistol purchase permit; this makes buying a pistol much less of a hassle, in terms of paperwork, trips to the local police station, etc.
I am a firm believer in Zombie Apocalypse.
I may get my concealed weapons permit now that the law has changed