Pepper Ball guns as an option for nonlethal defense?

[funkymonkey1111]

I've seen both on the news and direct reports from people of an increase in trespassing complaints--i.e., people in your yard, back yard, etc. when they are uninvited. This lead me to thing about less-than-lethal options to discourage this. Consider the scenario where someone is in your yard uninvited, won't leave, but isn't attempting a break-in, but may be contemplating this, or a theft, or whatever. Spare us all the nonsense of "i'll shoot them outside and drag them inside" response.

Is a pepperball gun a viable choice for this type of encounter? Or am I completely out in left field?

If so, does anyone have experience with a system/model, etc. that works, and is reliable and available? The police use them, but I don't know if what they have access to is available to civilians. It would seem this is a better way to engage someone than a face to face, close encounter.

[kidicarus13]

Think about what will happens when you accidentally shoot them in the face and they lose an eye while allegedly stealing your property outside? Pepper balls are only accurate to an extent. You will be sued, you will lose, and you would wish you only lost your property instead of having a $100K judgement against you. My $.02 for what it's worth.

[Little Dutch]

Sounds like an assault charge to me. You will be sued, you will lose. In CO, unless they are presenting an immediate physical threat to you, the police and courts will side with trespasser.

[funkymonkey1111]

Ultimately, that's what I was thinking the tremendous downside would be. I suppose target hardening is the best way to go.

[Eric P]

Water guns filled with skunk juice or tabasco.

[BushMasterBoy]

Electric fence...turn on the sprinkler. Ever piss on an electric fence?

[BPTactical]

Perhaps you missed this thread funky- just neighborhood kids having fun in the neighbors yard & shed.
They were uninvited.

https://www.ar-15.co/threads/188825-2-Yoots-KIA-in-Northglenn

[eddiememphis]

https://media.giphy.com/media/D0ybrWTyrg9Qp8u5TO/giphy.gif

[buffalobo]

Go a little bigger. About 120#'s worth.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20221116/07f3873b96ccea16f78ca90446c4137e.jpg

[def90]

Everything I've been told in self defense classes is that if you aren't ready to go to the level of lethal force in self defense you are best off to do whatever you can to de-escalate or leave the scene. Your lawn is included as being a part of your home with the castle doctrine. What is the law in Denver anyway in regards to firing a paintball gun in city limits? I know that they treat shooting a kids bow in your backyard the same as shooting a firearm.

[eddiememphis]

Everything I've been told in self defense classes is that if you aren't ready to go to the level of lethal force in self defense you are best off to do whatever you can to de-escalate or leave the scene. Your lawn is included as being a part of your home with the castle doctrine. What is the law in Denver anyway in regards to firing a paintball gun in city limits? I know that they treat shooting a kids bow in your backyard the same as shooting a firearm.

Unless you took those classes from the lawyer that will represent you in court, you might want to wait until the intruder, "has made an uninvited entry into the dwelling", per CO 18-1-704.5

There are provisions for assault outside of the dwelling but specific exclusions if it is provoked by the occupant. That may be interpreted by lawyers and juries in different ways.

Best advice in our litigious and ever more left leaning society is to stay inside and call the cops.

If someone kicks in the door, that is an entirely different situation.

[Drucker]

pepper balls @980fps, just to be sure

[brutal]

pepper balls @980fps, just to be sure

This.

Fill the hollow point with ghost pepper sauce. That'll teach em.

[Oscar77]

Unless you took those classes from the lawyer that will represent you in court, you might want to wait until the intruder, "has made an uninvited entry into the dwelling", per CO 18-1-704.5

There are provisions for assault outside of the dwelling but specific exclusions if it is provoked by the occupant. That may be interpreted by lawyers and juries in different ways.

Best advice in our litigious and ever more left leaning society is to stay inside and call the cops.

If someone kicks in the door, that is an entirely different situation.

While I agree that I'm concerned that, "......Your lawn is included as being a part of your home with the castle doctrine........" is accurate or not............
I'm also concerned about your comment of "...........There are provisions for assault outside of the dwelling but specific exclusions if it is provoked by the occupant........."
Can you provide a legal reference to your comments?

Also CRS 18-1-704.5 concerns the use of Deadly Force................

Part of the grey area the OP brought up is the question that, in theory, a Pepperball gun isn't deadly force. (So say the various PD's that use them).
But to your point, we aren't talking about an intruder entering your home but a trespasser...........
and what is a reasonable response to a trespasser, who refuses to leave.

(Just my 2% internet advice, if the trespasser isn't doing anything, besides trespassing, so not provoking the situation and simply passively refusing your orders to leave, that you don't do anything either, simply call the Police.
If he/she/it does something to escalate or endanger you in anyway, respond in kind.)