Agree, and I think the courts will too.
The unreasonable force is often coming in when the immediate danger to your life and body has passed - kicking someone on the ground, for example.
One other option to self defense may be said to be running away. But even though you might be the school champ at running, your attacker might be the regional champ at running, it is not a guaranteed way out therefore. Your attacker similarly may have "only" a hammer but like you say, you can't go looking for a hammer, and anyway he may be younger and stronger than you and he may be on P, (burglars are more likely than not to be drug addicts, be very careful). Potentially lethal force of a hammer or screwdriver is reasonably met by potentially lethal force of a firearm. Every situation is different and you'd definitely need a good lawyer and keep your mouth shut if/when police interview you (never to your advantage to talk, whether guilty or innocent, irrespective of what they'll tell you) --- but far far better to avoid shooting someone as that will help you sleep better for the rest of your life.
So burglar proof your house, consider CCTV with recording, security lights, stay friends with neighbours who can watch your house, avoid bushes up against your house itself, and don't build tall fences as burglars just LOVE your bloody stoopid "PRIvacy".
Bookmarks