Wisconsin self defense law

[PlankSpanker]

Hello, i would like to see what folks think exactly what this section of the Wisconsin self defense law means in plain simple terms. Thanks for any input.

939.49 Defense of property and protection against retail theft.
(1) A person is privileged to threaten or intentionally use force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating what the person reasonably
believes to be an unlawful interference with the person's property. Only such degree of force or threat thereof may intentionally be used as the actor
reasonably believes is necessary to prevent or terminate the interference. It is not reasonable to intentionally use force intended or likely to cause death or
great bodily harm for the sole purpose of defense of one's property.

 

[NavyLCDR]

Somebody is on your property stealing something out of a shed. You grab a baseball bat and go out to confront them. You shake the baseball bat at them and tell them to drop your stuff and get the hell off your property (threatening to use reasonable force). They refuse and start running with your weedeater in hand. You can smack them on the kneecap with the baseball bat to stop them from stealing your property (use of force to terminate interference with your property). However, it would be illegal to hit them in the head or neck because that would be likely to cause death or great bodily harm.

It would appear it would also be legal to threaten them with a gun, but not to shoot them with a gun. Display of a firearm might be covered in another statute, though.

 

[NavyLCDR]

and now for the posts forthcoming that are going to tell you to just call 911 and be a witness.....

 

[carracer]

Just call 911 and be a witness.....

 

[JCliff]

Food for thought only, as I am not a lawyer and nothing here should be construed as legal advice. I live in Wisconsin also, and have read this very carefully. Do not use your gun to defend property in this state. I would not brandish the weapon either, as that is threatening deadly force without sufficient reason/provocation. If all we're talking about is property theft I would seriously consider: 1. Call 911. 2. Advise the perp, loudly, that law enforcement has been summoned. 3. Position yourself such that you can defend yourself and family if the perp chooses to escalate. If you choose to confront, and subsequently are attacked, or if the perp escalates and attacks, then the situation has changed completely, which is one of the strongest arguments possible for having your CCW on your person all the time.