Peoplesoft bloke 'ave it...

[Jeebo72]

Any scumbag enters my house with a knife and threatens my family are leaving dead. I know the "justice" system won't support me, so I wouldn't report it. I really can't believe these scum get away with it.

[AtW]

The Jury and the Judge.

They both have time to do that and they are not under threat of being killed by intruders. I'd like to see how they'd be making good correct proportional decisions if someone run into court and put gun to their heads.

The whole point of homeowner fighting off intruder is that it is not a normal situation, it's like asking soldiers in Afganistan to ask give reasonable and proportional response: when you get shot at, it's kill or be killed situation, when it's your family at stake then things go even more extreme.

[AtW]

NF: (Judge) He was invading your property - your innocent of murder but guilty of owning a firearm without a license.

I respect laws and do not break them insofar firearms ownership is concerned (ie: I don't have one and would not want one unless it is legal).

Nu Liebor banned guns - and gun crime went up big time! Not from previous legit owners either.

[Coalman]

They both have time to do that and they are not under threat of being killed by intruders. I'd like to see how they'd be making good correct proportional decisions if someone run into court and put gun to their heads.

The whole point of homeowner fighting off intruder is that it is not a normal situation, it's like asking soldiers in Afganistan to ask give reasonable and proportional response: when you get shot at, it's kill or be killed situation, when it's your family at stake then things go even more extreme.

I agree with you on the not thinking straight at the time.

BUT it is the job of the Judge and Jury to take this into account when deciding guilty/not guilty/sentance.

IT IS not a free license to kill anyone who puts a toe on your property. Self defence yes, but not being a vigilante (as in the recent case).

Most burglars (I am assuming - I'm to busy posting here to do real research) are not armed with a firearm, knife maybe. So just sleep with the knife block by the bedside.

[AtW]

IT IS not a free license to kill anyone who puts a toe on your property. Self defence yes, but not being a vigilante (as in the recent case).

I am ok with every self defence case to be tried in court - the law should however be fairly clear that anyone who breaks into house can get shot and that will be in.

If someone is crazy enough to shoot person who knocks on the door then they (in my view) deserve to be in jail.

Context should play big role here - if someone was a convicted criminal for burgling and they broke into house then it's bye-bye.

[Jeebo72]

I So just sleep with the knife block by the bedside.

Great solution. All live in such fear you need to keep knifes' next to the bed ...

Perhaps we'd be better off punishing criminals and making their lifes harder should they decide to break into someone's house ... dunno.

[original PM]

As Jeebo says if anyone enters my house without being asked they are leaving via the nearest exit.

Problem is people will use it as an excuse to beat people up they do not like - and that is why it is such a grey area - to prove yourself innocent you have to prove the person you have just shot/maimed/beaten up was actually guilty of burglary (or attmepted burglary)

[Diver]

As Jeebo says if anyone enters my house without being asked they are leaving via the nearest exit.

Problem is people will use it as an excuse to beat people up they do not like - and that is why it is such a grey area - to prove yourself innocent you have to prove the person you have just shot/maimed/beaten up was actually guilty of burglary (or attmepted burglary)

As soon as the law changes in my favour, I see a lot of invites to house warming parties going out to people I don't like

[Jeebo72]

As Jeebo says if anyone enters my house without being asked they are leaving via the nearest exit.

Problem is people will use it as an excuse to beat people up they do not like - and that is why it is such a grey area - to prove yourself innocent you have to prove the person you have just shot/maimed/beaten up was actually guilty of burglary (or attmepted burglary)

I appreciate they can't have people dragging guys into their house and saying they were an intruder as an excuse to beat them up. But the law doesn't treat the genuine cases, where aggravated burglary has been proven, fair. That's the problem.

[TimberWolf]

Clarification is needed on how much of a head start 'reasonable force' implies, how far can you chase them and whether hounds and cricket bats can be used.