[awb]

> are you allowed to show up armed, in case they are waiting for you

Every US state has slightly different laws about open carry and concealed carry laws in public. They also have different rules about self-defense.

There was a case recently where a guy sat in his own garage with a shotgun (due to some recent burglaries) and shot an intruder. He was charged with murder. I think because 1) it was pre-meditated (he expected an intruder and intended to kill them), 2) his life was not in imminent danger (the intruder had no weapons) 3) he made no attempt to de-escalate the situation and did not fire a warning shot or tell the person to leave.

I think California is like this where you are obligated to not be the aggressor, even on your own property, and must make attempts at a non-lethal de-escalation if your life is not in immediate danger. But then there are states where you can "stand your ground" in public and defend your property with lethal force. So, it all depends on local laws.

[lupire]

"warning shot" is deadly force, a crime anywhere shooting is a crime, for good reason.

Displaying the weapon is the only "warning" allowed -- and even that is only legal if you have an Open Carry license or if you are responding to a threat.