"Really, why should self defense ever be an item of debate, anywhere?"
The debate seems to be concerning how to frame the wording of the law. I don't see anybody arguing that there should be no right to self-defense. There's probably someone somewhere, if you look hard enough.
"The debate seems to be concerning how to frame the wording of the law. I don't see anybody arguing that there should be no right to self-defense".
Why the Hell is this a question for debate? If you show up in my driveway, expecting to hurt mine, or me, your arse is mine! You may only want to steal my lawnmower, or my motorscooter, but, I will assume that I don't know just why you are here, and could be here to rape my daughter or my grandson, and I will blast your arse to Hell.
Do you really expect me to listen to all your excuses, about why you ever drove up my driveway, unless you are driving for Fedex, or UPS, or reading meters for FPL?