window /door alarm guns

[robert bw]

was looking through an old copy of DGWx catalog from 1994 and noticed these in the curio section,most just fired blanks to scare the bejesus out of an intruder but it appears some may have(historically anyways)fired a projectile.just wondering if any of you older Gents recall these and if they were actually common?Thanks

 

[coloradoclyde]

but it appears some may have(historically anyways)fired a projectile.

Today that [strike]would be[/strike] is a federal crime and would get you about 25 years...

 

[robert bw]

that's why I said(historically) :v im aware it would be a horrendesly bad idea to attempt to use such thing today.but would a #11 cap only be illegal?

 

[Larry Akers]

I have an old (98) friend who has 3 or 4 of these (originals, not repros) set guns in his collection. In addition to being used (loaded) to deter 2-legged intruders they were also used to dissuade 4-legged predators.

In response to your using just a cap question--have you tried firing just a cap in a dark room? A surprising amount of fire goes a surprising distance out the barrel. If a perpetrator were to be injured, say hit in the eye, you would be liable and a jury would probably award the perp several million of your dollars.

 

[robert bw]

just curious,had no plans to try one,besides if I spend money on something gun related its gonna be to put lead downrange :grin:

 

[Katahdin]

Carried by 6 or Judged by 12,,,do the math !!!! Set the gun up far enough away/aimed, from the door/window so the parts won't hit anyone. If one of the/my "alarms" goes off, me and the twins ( Smith & Wesson) will go to investigate,,
These were used in Colonial Days as alarms,Seen them in old books and repro..

 

[Okie Hog]

Some of the things were called stile guns: They swiveled onto the target.

Growing up in rural WV during the 40s and 50s i knew a merchant seaman whose home was fitted with stile guns to deter burglars. He had warning signs on the doors and windows. No one ever broke in.

 

[Vaino]

While grouse hunting many years ago, came upon an old car in the deep woods and on the back seat was an old Sears catalog. Later on while paging through it, found a popular item for killing game and deterring trespassers....it was a "set gun". It was complete w/ a "trip wire" setup and was guaranteed to kill or scare anything that came along on a deer trail or on one's property. My Dad had a personal experience w/ a "set gun" on a deer trail, but due to his acute observation, avoided the "trip wire" and destroyed the "set gun". He didn't need any competition.

Don't know how many years this item was advertised, but judging from the liability, it probably didn't "live long".

Years ago there weren't that many people "poaching" in the summer months, so the chances of a person tripping the set gun would have been a rare event.....Fred

 

[Billnpatti]

I, too, remember seeing them in the DGW catalog. I never did see one in use nor ever hear of anyone actually using one for its intended purpose. I am no lawyer but I would expect that the use, loaded or blank, would be illegal. It would be considered a ****y trap and their use is a federal crime. If they actually injured anyone, even if it was the flame of the discharge of a blank, it would be not only a federal crime but would also result in a sizeable lawsuit. If I had one, I would use it as trading material because if it won't shoot a ball down range accurately, I don't want it.

Ya know, I wonder if any houses ever burnt down as a result of the use of one of these devices?

 

[robert bw]

Yeah,the attorneys would be all up in arms about the burglars civil rights being violated. :bull:

 

[coloradoclyde]

Yeah,the attorneys would be all up in arms about the burglars civil rights being violated. :bull:

What if it wasn't a burglar, but instead a friend, concerned neighbor, or emergency response personnel....or just an innocent drunk?

 

[Billnpatti]

Criminals bringing lawsuits for injuries incurred during the commission of a crime is something that I don't understand. Had they not committed the crime, they would not have been injured. They bring it on themselves. It's a lot like a guy jumping off a bridge and then suing the bridge builder for his injuries. But, most lawmakers are, as it turns out, lawyers. Hmmmm :hmm: does this tell us something about weird laws that benefit lawyers?

I had a friend whose daughter was graduating from law school and I went to the graduation. While we were sitting there, I commented to my friend "Ya know, sitting here watching law students graduate is a lot like watching snakes being born." :haha: I p***ed him off just a bit, but he got over it and we stayed friends.

 

[robert bw]

excellent point,all the more reason I will not be using one. :nono:

 

[coloradoclyde]

Criminals bringing lawsuits for injuries incurred during the commission of a crime is something that I don't understand. Had they not committed the crime, they would not have been injured.

It is not our job to be the judge, jury and executioner...
Sometimes there are extenuating circumstances, and sometimes the media only reports half the story because headlines sell papers.

 

[AZbpBurner]

Want an effective alarm/deterrent?

Get a DOG!

 

[robert bw]

got one hes a little light in the butt but has a plenty big mouth.

 

[bubba.50]

forget the legal aspects of it, I'd be too concerned with it burnin' the house down around me to ever use one :idunno: .

 

[robert bw]

Yeah,they seem. to be an all around bad idea.im sure they had there time and place long ago.i bet most of them resulted in friendly fire more than anything else(come home from a long night at the tavern,only to forget the"alarm sytem"is set :shocked2:

 

[rodwha]

I had a friend whose daughter was graduating from law school and I went to the graduation. While we were sitting there, I commented to my friend "Ya know, sitting here watching law students graduate is a lot like watching snakes being born." :haha: I p***ed him off just a bit, but he got over it and we stayed friends.

Now that right there is funny! :grin:

 

[robert bw]

as a crutch. :grin: