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i think he fired in the wrong direction , - after all, people were killed in the streets of greensboro and they weren't even convicted of this charge much less murder.

Hopefully, Beale will not be charged by the prosecutor. This sends a bad message if a homeowner isn't allowed to protect himself and his family. I hope the N&R will follow the story.

Firing shots into the air is always wrong. They would have run away just seeing the gun. Or wait until they're standing in your doorway holding the weapon THEN shoot and kill the weapon holder presenting the threat.

I was appalled when I read that the homeowner was cited. Should he wait to see if they have a weapon to use on him? My house was robbed and I never thought it would happen. The robbers got away with it and we suffered consequences other than the simple loss of cherished items. I don't care where you live, I think you should be able to protect your property. Kudos to Beale for taking a stand.

It's safe to assume that the police are holding Mr. Beale's handgun as "evidence". He should expect to have it returned sometime around April 2016 after all the paperwork has been processed.

Dear lord. It's getting to the point where the government just expects you to take a bullet and die if you're ever confronted by criminals. God forbid that you try to defend yourself and your family. The punks need to be thankful that Mr. Beale didn't fire horizontally.

In Texas, Mr. Beale would have been awarded a medal at the next City Council meeting. In Greensboro, you're charged with a crime.

It's about time we start shooting back to protect ourselves and our families. It's obvious where our police and city govn't stand on the issue.

Unbelievable that they would charge the homeowner. I guess he should have just let them beat him to death with a crow bar. What a complete lack of common sense by the police. There needs to be a big public outcry over this injustice.

While I firmly believe that every person has the right to defend themselves and family from harm, the problem here appears to be that he fired as/after they were leaving the scene. The key thing, and its on film apparently, is that once they knew he was home and armed, they fled the scene. Shot in defense as they are coming through the door with a weapon and you don't know their intention..I uphold and agree with that defense of self, plus the law is clear in that regard. I wouldn't have hesitated long enough for them to do anything on their way through the door had it been me. Shooting as they are running away, ie the threat to self isn't there, while I myself would probably be tempted to fire off a couple of rounds just to scare them, the round should have been fired directly into the ground.

Force can only be met with equal force. Yes, I've been through the classes. The law is also very clear that use of deadly force in the defense of "simple robbery" or to prevent theft of property, is in fact, against the law. Do I agree with that, not necessarily, but it is the law.

I am not upholding for the perps who were trying to steal and probably ransack the house. In no way shape or form. Again, shoot them as they are coming in the door with a crowbar in their hand, I have no problem with it.

This was probably just adrenaline running and he wanted to scare them. I guess what I'm saying is, just be aware of how the law reads when it comes to discharging the weapon.

Well put, Biff411. I agree. You have to know the law, and I say that as a gun owner and supporter of a broad reading of the Second Amendment (supporting an individual right to bear arms). Others here have cited the proper procedure here. He should have called the police, retreated to the extent possible (if he was outside), and fired only (and accurately) when weapon-bearing perps crossed the threshold. That's what I got out of the state-produced concealed-carry videos I watched.

This homeowner should know that only the police have the right to discharge a firearm...like the Archdale police into somebody.

Well said Biff411 and mohair.sam.

The Greensboro Police reminds me of the Keystone Kops. How stupid can they be.

"fired directly into the ground".

Um, I'm not so sure that would be much better. Depending on the hardness of the ground/driveway whatever, that sucker could easily ricochet and hit the shooter or anyone else nearby. I'd actually prefer to shoot it in the air. Just my take anyway.

my family lives on the same street this guy live on. These people walk around with guns on them day and night. they harrass black people, calling people the N-word. i have witness the dad and son confront people just for walking down the street. Its not a safe enviroment on munster ave. I have been afraid that one day they use the gun to shoot someone.They have pull guns out on people before. they always start trouble in the use to be quiet neighborhood. I have kids,neices and nephews that go visit my mom and dad. we always tell them please dont make eye contact with those ignorant people, dont worry about what they say, they are very sick people..the kids dont understand they get very upset and want to go over there and confront them men...luckily they have always took our advice. now when this man came out his house shooting, he could have shot my mom, dad, kids, or myself. i hate these young teenagers did what they did. hopefully they learned a lesson. but that man could have killed inocent people. when my mom told me what happened..my first though was that bullet could have struck her... she was home alone, then my thought was those guys could have tried to break in my mom house..i dont think its ok that some1 come to your door and you think theyre trying to break-in and you go outside your house and pull the trigger. i always thought that some1 had to acually try to enter your home before you can use force. i would have called the police immediately and waited quiely.. giving the police a full description of the guys.