16 Years Old Hunting On Your Property and Trespassers. NOW WHAT?
By Gregory Kielma
16- your Private Property-Carring Firearms-Tresspassers Now What?
The Scenario: At 16, while hunting on his own or parents’ private property, is he allowed to carry a handgun? The property owner constantly has trespassers and occasionally they can be hostile. He just doesn’t a want rifle to deal with them.
Now what? say Kielma, please read the response we received from an avid blog reader. His or her words and thoughts, not mine. What would you do?
Let’s say something bad happens. ( call the authorities. It’s not worth going to jail over). Remember you have firearms on you. Just because trespassers are there on your property, it gives you no right to brandish a firearm. You have to access the situation and be the reasonable person and act accordingly.
The Police, and later the jury, will want to know why you were walking around with a weapon. If you have deer, pig, squirrel, or rabbit in the freezer, show and advise them with an attorney present. Note: Never say or do anything without an attorney present. Invoke your 4th and 5th amendment rights.
If you have a small range and you are walking to or from it, then you’re fine. Maybe?
If you are carrying a pistol, specifically to deal with the trespassers, (and don’t think that a clever lawyer won’t see this) now you start going into a grey area that could get you in trouble or jail. (see first paragraph).
- Were you wearing camo?
- Do your parents know you are doing this?
- Are you looking for these people, just waiting to use your gun to solve a problem?
Even if you say NO to the last question, it may not be enough.
If the prosecuting attorney can make the case that you were looking for innocent hunters who were ambushed by a blood crazed kid’ they most likely will win and you will lose.
If your parents knew, they can also be held responsible for your actions. If someone is injured or killed the lawsuit of their survivors could cost them their property and freedom as well as yours.