only in the US

[expat]

Originally Posted by EternalOptimist

I was thinking of getting a taser.

You're not allowed to. The only thing you're allowed to defend yourself with is the police.

[sasguru]

Originally Posted by expat

Statistics: there is a correlation between:
- owning a gun
- thinking that you need to own one
- actually being right, you need to own one (location, situation, etc)
- being shot.
That's not a chain that you break by opting out of owning a gun yourself.

I agree with your other point: that's why I didn't keep a gun under the pillow when I lived in New York.
Scenario 1: intruder in apartment. He's armed, I'm not. Result: I do whatever he says.
Scenario 2: intruder in apartment. He's armed, I wake up and reach groggily for my firearm. Result: he shoots me.

What about Scenario 3: You hear him coming and hide. Then shoot him in the back

[EternalOptimist]

Originally Posted by expat

You're not allowed to. The only thing you're allowed to defend yourself with is the police.

why didnt they shoot jean charles with a taser ?

[stingman123]

Originally Posted by EternalOptimist

why didnt they shoot jean charles with a taser ?

for the same reason they felt compelled to shoot him 7 times in the head

[expat]

Originally Posted by sasguru

What about Scenario 3: You hear him coming and hide. Then shoot him in the back

Scenario 4: no intruder in apartment in the first place because he knows you are likely to be armed. And, much more to the point, that you have a right to use your weapon on him.

"Hot" burglaries, where the occupant is in the house at the time:
US: 12% of all burglaries
UK: 53%.

[Tensai]

Originally Posted by EternalOptimist

why didnt they shoot jean charles with a taser ?

I could be wrong, but I recall it was something to do with avoiding zapping the detonator/explosives inadvertantly.

[Stan.goodvibes]

even with just a cursory glance at the crime statistics and gun death rate between the US and Canada its pretty screamingly obviuos that guns don't deter criminals, and a hell of a lot more people get shot.

Anyone in the NRA really does deserve to be shot. I mean having a spokesman like Charlton Heston for example. He's never been the same since he had to to fend off the apes. Hardly relevent experience to bring to a Rifle Association...

[Board Game Geek]

The only thing you're allowed to defend yourself with is the police.

How long will it be, before a police unit, responding to a call you made, get injured and then sue the caller ?

p.s...I was in Penn State a few years ago, visiting a work colleague, and he explained that the law of trespass was essentially as follows.

1. Intruder discovered on your property.
2. Homeone has legal right to shoot intruder, even in the back. No challenge necessary.

He said that they don't get much burglary round his way.

(And I thought to myself, probably not many door-to-door salespeople either).

[gingerjedi]

Originally Posted by Stan.goodvibes

even with just a cursory glance at the crime statistics and gun death rate between the US and Canada its pretty screamingly obviuos that guns don't deter criminals, and a hell of a lot more people get shot.

Anyone in the NRA really does deserve to be shot. I mean having a spokesman like Charlton Heston for example. He's never been the same since he had to to fend off the apes. Hardly relevent experience to bring to a Rifle Association...

Or since he died...

I used to know 3 people who all legally owned hand guns before they were banned in the UK, they were the sort of people who should have never been allowed near them in the first place.

[Peoplesoft bloke]

Originally Posted by expat

"Hot" burglaries, where the occupant is in the house at the time:
US: 12% of all burglaries
UK: 53%.

Isn't that because the septics never go home? They're always going on about what long hours they work and how they don't get any holidays? What percentage of US burgled homes were gun owners?