Lander apartments (courtesy: KENS 5 Eyewitness News)

A man and his family have been served with an eviction notice after he legally protected his property by shooting at a would-be thief.

The unnamed resident at Landera apartments in San Antonio, Texas, took action after neighbors complained about having their vehicles broken into or stolen, KENS-TV reported. Vandals attacked his apartment, shattering a window and breaking into his car.

"It's just tough to swallow something that you work so hard for to get taken away from you so easily," he said.

The burglars returned Tuesday, smashed his car window and ran away. The man called police and filed a report.

"I just told my neighbor, maybe we should stay up, keep an eye on things tonight," he said.

The intruders came back three hours later.

(Story continues below)

"The driver's side guy got out, ran toward my vehicle," he said.

Rather than watching strangers steal and destroy his possessions, the man ran outside and fired his shotgun five or six times, according to the report. He managed to hit one of the suspects. He is not facing charges.

"Texas law states you can protect your personal property, even if it's deadly force," he said.

To his dismay, the apartment served his family an eviction notice.

"We had three days to leave," he said.

The man said he is unable to find another home in three days, much less afford an unexpected move. His apartment lease included a clause stating residents are not allowed to own or discharge guns on the premises – but he claims the rule is unfair.

"You're victimized," he said, "[A]nd then on top of that, you're being kicked out on the street for protecting something that you have the right to protect."

 

---

Special offers:

When it's time to shoot back – Get 'Armed Response,' the guide to firearms, self-defense

Perfect gift for pistol-packin' mama – 'Stayin' Alive' shows guns are indeed for girls

"Shooting Back: The Right and Duty of Self-Defense"

 

---

Related stories:

Feds pirate investor's gun-shop software

Feds suppress evidence in 'broken gun' conviction?

 

Man jailed for broken gun getting defense fund help

Gunmaker to feds: Make my day!

Gun expert claims feds punishing him

Owner of broken rifle surrenders for 30-month sentence

30 months in jail for broken gun

Drill instructor convicted after rifle jams

Bloggers attack feds after agent forgets gun in airport

BATF rebuked for attacks on gun dealers

Gun shop: Complaint could have been ruse

Gun-shop owner gets 'breath of fresh air'

'Blog' puts fear into gun shop inspectors

New gun control: Shut down shops

Your doctor could put you on no-gun list

Expert offers teachers free weapons training

State quashed bill allowing handguns on campuses

Trial will debate 2nd Amendment rights

Buy a house, get a gun free

New use for schoolbooks: Stopping bullets

New Yorkers rally for 'illegal' guns

Clinton-era war on guns revealed

U.N. gun confab ends in frustration

The U.N.: Gunning for more power

NRA warns of U.N. gun control

Michael Douglas backs U.N. gun ban

'Anti-gang' bill endangers gun rights?

County drops homeowner gun charges