[naturalman1975]

It has to be investigated. If it turns out that the facts are as they've been described in the media, it will almost certainly lead to no prosecution - but you can't just assume that the media has it right, and the police certainly can't assume that.

People do have the right to use reasonable force in self defence in the UK. This is not a licence to kill, however - the force used must be reasonable given the threat. Deadly force is justified if a person honestly believes themselves or another person to be at risk of death or serious injury. It is not justified unless they believe that.

I can kill a burglar in my home if I think he's likely to harm me. I can't if he's running away (as one example). Maybe the law shouldn't make these distinctions, but it is important to understand that there is a right to self defence.

[tpmintx]

I can kill a burglar in my home if I think he's likely to harm me. I can't if he's running away (as one example). Maybe the law shouldn't make these distinctions, but it is important to understand that there is a right to self defence.

In Texas things are a bit different. If you are in my home, or running away with something of mine, or even if I THINK you are running away with something if mine, you can be shot in the back and the police will most likely congratulate me for helping to reduce the criminal element.

I don't need to give a criminal the opportunity to retreat, nor do I need evidence of imminent harm. Your uninvited presence inside my residence is enough to justify deadly force.

Gun control in Texas means "Use both hands."

[the OlLine Rebel]

What you say is essentially the way it is in most of our messed-up US. We’re familiar with that nonsense.

There is no reason the real victim should not be able to shoot the perp even if he’s running away. That makes no moral sense. I should damn well be able to at least disable the person who just accosted me, regardless if he’s trying to get away - all the more reason to stop him in his tracks so he isn’t lost forever to justice.

[Scotsman will be Free]

A very limited right to defense. Do you really expect a person to awaken at 0300 to noise in his home, go into the living room and see a crook and be able to determine in a second or less what the intentions of the crook are? Hogwash! There should be a bright line rule. If you break into a home you are presumed to be intent on harming the occupants. Therefore, you are now in a free fire zone.

[Grizzled Bear]

Deadly force is justified if a person honestly believes themselves or another person to be at risk of death or serious injury. It is not justified unless they believe that.

If someone forces their way into my home and threatens me with a knife, they're telling me that they're expecting someone to die. The only courteous thing I can do is give them a death.