I am not taking a particular position on this issue, though I have one, because I thought I might point out the inconsistency here. If you believe in “My property, my rules”, then you cannot disapprove of the homeowners shotgun response to a stranger trespassing his property.

So, which is it? Property rights? Or not?

Yes the man overreacted with the shotgun. And as a result the cops came. BUT, honestly, I would think non-ninja cops could have handled the situation. If later they found he had hostages, then well, it’s SWAT time.

I really wish cops didn’t dress like ninjas or the army (at a 4th of July celebration I saw cops with red berets, BDUs, and they marched with shotguns at port arms.

I don’t like cities passing ordinances telling you how to use or keep your property, but that isn’t why the police were involved. The resident pointed a shotgun at someone who, right or wrong, was cutting his grass. That is why the cops were involved. Just like Tam said, it is exactly what SWAT is meant to handle. And, things were resolved without anyone getting hurt.

Advice to dude:

- Don’t point shotguns at unarmed people outside your house who are not threatening you.
- You don’t really seem like the kind of person who’s going to be happy in a property managed by a homeowner’s association.

(BTW he’s new to the neighborhood, and from the looks of his mower, he had just went out and bought it…money can be tight in these times!)