Is an automated burglar elimination system illegal?

Question

I was thinking of installing a system that floods my house with an asphyxiant or inert gas after several automated and repeated warnings not to enter the house, and once entered to leave immediately or the house will flood with a non-toxic, non-irritant gas. I understand what ADT is but by the time the would show up stuff would be missing.

I was thinking of having the system activate upon unauthorized entry to the house (motion sensor, pressure pads) and warn the hypothetical burglar several times to leave before activating the gas

Answer 1

Sooooooo clearly the previous answerers are illiterate and don't know what non-toxic and inert mean. So since there is no loss of life, I would think you would have violate no laws here.

Answer 2

Yes, totally illegal. Such an automated system would be unable to distinguish between a burglar and your neighbor with Alzheimer's who got lost and wandered in. Also, I'm not sure what you have in mind for the gas, but you might want to take a look at what happened when the Spetznaz tried to use gas to immobilize a theater full of hostages a couple years ago in Moscow.



ADD: Inert doesn't mean harmless or even non-lethal. Any gas that's not oxygen will kill you if it prevents you from getting enough oxygen.

Answer 3

Yes, it would be illegal even if you broadcast the warning in multiple languages. You can personally defend your house (based on risk of loss of life). But you cannot terminate another human's existence by automation without being considered yourself to be a criminal.



Also consider what would happen if it accidentally went off. Also, if it went off fast enough, it would blow your windows out. Finally, what if the criminal is deaf?



[EDIT: "The gas is non-toxic and non-irritant. It's the functional equivalent of activating a fire sprinkler system that dispenses inert gas"



Such systems are known to be fatal, and your intention stated publicly here, will land you in court for 1st degree murder. Even nitrogen gas can be fatal:

http://www.safteng.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1150:confined-space-fatality-oxygen-deficiency-from-nitrogen-purge&catid=51:permit-required-confined-spaces&Itemid=307



You have been warned.

]

Answer 4

I don't understand - once a would-be burglar has entered your home - all the gas would escape through an open door - and if you notified them that the premises would flood with non-lethal gas, with a sign on the door, most burglars would come back with a gas mask! Try nets that fall down from the ceiling instead! Or conversely - stock your home with worthless old electronics, and clothes from the thrift store.

Answer 5

Tempting but totally illegal. The courts have long held that the right to life supersedes property rights.The burglar could even sue you if (s)he survives.

Answer 6

complex task. lookup with yahoo or google. just that can assist!