Reality: That’s called tampering with a crime scene — and it will land you in prison.
The Holiday Table Myth
It’s your favorite holiday. You’re sitting around the dinner table — Christmas, the 4th of July, Thanksgiving — and the conversation turns to firearms. Uncle Bill starts going off, and before long, you’re knee-deep in a self-defense scenario:
“Let’s say it’s the middle of the night. A masked intruder kicks in your front door. He’s armed, he threatens you, and you shoot him twice. He stumbles out the door and drops dead on your porch. If that happens,” Uncle Bill says, “make sure you drag him back inside — otherwise it’s murder.”
Let’s make this crystal clear:
Should you do what Uncle Bill says? Absolutely not.
Why This Is a Myth
This piece of “advice” has been floating around gun shops, backyards, and online forums for decades. The thinking goes like this: if the threat dies outside your home, the law won’t protect you — but if the body’s inside, then you’re automatically justified under the Castle Doctrine.
The problem? That’s not how the law works — and trying to “fix” the scene will absolutely work against you.
What Happens If You Drag the Body Inside
If you touch that body — move it, drag it, reposition it — you’ve just interfered with a crime scene. That’s a felony in every state. You’ve also:
- Destroyed key evidence that could prove your innocence.
- Made it look like you had something to hide.
- Potentially opened yourself up to charges of tampering, obstruction, or even murder.
You don’t look like a law-abiding gun owner anymore — you look like someone trying to stage a killing. And once that doubt is raised, prosecutors will dig deeper and may pursue charges that would’ve never been filed otherwise.
The Castle Doctrine Doesn’t Give You a Free Pass
Yes, most states have some version of the Castle Doctrine. It generally says you can defend yourself in your own home without a duty to retreat, especially against a forcible or unlawful entry.
But that protection doesn’t extend to:
- Moving evidence
- Dragging bodies
- Lying to the police
- Making it look like the shooting happened somewhere it didn’t
The Castle Doctrine justifies your actions at the time of the threat, not whatever you decide to do afterward.
What Should You Do Instead?
Here’s what responsible armed citizens should do if forced to defend themselves:
- Stop shooting once the threat stops. If the attacker flees, let them go.
- Call 911 immediately. Give a basic, truthful statement like, “Someone broke into my home and I had to defend myself.”
Don’t volunteer unnecessary details.
👉 For a full guide on what to say during the 911 call, read this:
Legal Aftermath: What to Say on the 911 Call After a Self-Defense Shooting - Do not touch the body, the weapon, or anything else. Leave the scene exactly as it is.
- Secure your firearm if safe to do so, but don’t hide or tamper with it.
- Comply with law enforcement. Stay calm. Say you want to cooperate and will give a full statement with your attorney present.
Let the Evidence Work for You
If the shooting was justified, the physical evidence — shell casings, blood trail, entry points, surveillance footage, 911 audio — will tell the story. That’s what your defense attorney will rely on. The second you try to stage a scene or make it “look better,” you’ve turned a clean case into a suspicious one.
Final Thoughts
Dragging a dead intruder back into your house doesn’t make you look smart. It makes you look guilty.
And it’s one of the fastest ways to go from a justified self-defense shooting to a prison sentence.
So the next time Uncle Bill brings up that old myth, feel free to set him straight — and remind everyone:
You’re not just defending your life. You’re defending your freedom. Don’t screw it up after the fact.
Take the Next Step
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