Self-defenders have no right to impose penalty

The Australian | September 3, 2002 | OP ED

[FreeTally]

Yes, I was aware that Texas has such laws. In most other States, you had better shot a person with a weapon to make life a little easier on yourself.

[Onelifetogive]

Would he say the same about catching a guy breaking into his little girl's bedroom?

Probably. You think these people won't sacrifice their own children for a stupid cause. Global Warming, Public Schools, Socialism.

[Mike Darancette]

I will shoot you down like a dog.

An armed scoiety is a polite society.

[Khepera]

He had every right. Lets kick this guys ass!

[HeadOn]

Sorry. Weapon or no, in Tennessee, intruders can be killed if you think they mean you harm. Don't try me.

[cold_vicious_logic]

Wouldn't it have been something if instead of the writer himself had gone out to spook the perp, it had been his wife or daughter. Criminals by and large are more likely to retreat in the face of confrontation with a grown man than they are against women or children. The latter two are more often assaulted, raped, killed, what have you.

Hell, even a grown man's intimidation factor becomes nihl if the perp happens to be better armed (such as with a gun).

Indeed, had this perp been a more determined/skilled B&E man, I think the writer's views on self defense would be very different.

[cold_vicious_logic]

I understand fully why governments want to disarm their subjects: monopoly on power. What I don't understand is why ordinary people like this dipsh*t seem hellbent on making themselves helpless and hapless prey for the lowest, most vile elements of their societies.

For instance, why do they seem to think a woman laying stripped, raped and strangled on the ground is morrally superior to a woman standing on her own two feet, with a smoking .380 in her hand and a dead would-be rapist at her feet?

[saurus]

The pedestrian leans into the car window, where the motorist stabs him to death

Hmmmmmmmm!!!!

[Brookhaven]

a man climb into my backyard and take a crowbar to the back door. Opting for the element of surprise, I went downstairs, opened the door and inquired: "What the f--- do you think you're doing?"

And the man with a crowbar took it and beat me to an inch of my life. I've had multiple operations, still slur my words, have trouble dressing myself, and can not hold down a full time job. All because of the injuries I sustained at the hands of the man with the crowbar.

Had that been the way his story turned out (and it very easily could have), would the writer still feel the same way? Probably not.

Only and idiot would confront a stranger wielding a crowbar, because if he turns on you the affects are devestating.

The author suffers from "fight fair" syndrome. If someone attacks you, you should "fight fair" and only use just enough force to overcome them. The problem with that is that is usually not enough force to gurantee you will win the fight without being seriously injured yourself.

[sourcery]

If individuals have no right to impose penalties on those who violate their rights, from whence does society (or government) derive such a right? Such a right must first exist in each individual--otherwise, there is no source from which a society or a government can obtain it.

[kaylar]

Notice how the pinhead author of this screed put quotes around "rough looking", and the way he cited Spartanburg, South Carolina in full rather than by SC? He seems to be trying to imply that the poor unfortunate gentlemen are probably 'racial minorities', doubly victimized by a racist judicial system that gave them records, and by a sheriff's department that is letting their murder by a vicious redneck go unavenged. (Note I'm not saying the men are minorities ; for all I know the boy is black and the two men are white. But I suspect that that's the kneejerk scenario the author created out of "NRA...Guns...South Carolina...rough looking (Author : I just know that's gotta be racist code)...and sheriff, southern sheriff's department....I'm sure this guy's seen enough Hollywood movies to know he's right to suspect a racist coverup.Probably thinks the boy's father or the sheriff shot the two and used the boy as a shield as he's a minor.)

[HiTech RedNeck]

Spartanburg, South Carolina, 15/3/88: Todd Knight, 11, was home alone after school when two "rough looking" men broke in. Knight loaded his .22 rifle, a Christmas gift, and opened fire, killing both intruders. The sheriff's department, calling the shootings justifiable, said both men had records.

Yee haw

[Fred Hayek]

Isn't South Carolina the same state where the attorney general issued an order to all prosecuters not to charge citizens who shoot home invaders? Went as far as declaring "open season on home invaders?" If so, that AG has the right idea

[dighton]

Excellent shooting. A .22 rifle isn't very powerful.

It was, and it isn't.

This made my jaw drop.

[Gunrunner2]

The Supreme Court ruled many years ago that you may use deadly force if you are in fear for your life, or the life of another.

Further, the Supreme Court has ruled physical size is an affirmative defense for the use of deadly force. This means that if a 400lb ape threatens to kill you, and takes reasonable action to convey the threat (raises his fist, steps towards you), you may kill him. You are not required to tussle with someone that can kill you with his bare hands.

Shoot straight, shoot often to make sure only one side is still around to tell the cops what happened. Less confusing that way.

[Just another Joe]

An armed scoiety is a polite society.

BUMP

[boris]

"Excellent shooting. A .22 rifle isn't very powerful."

There was this fellow name of Masters in L.A. who went for a quiet constitutional (actually looking for trouble) at 1:00 A.M. He was illegally carrying a concealed .22 pistol. On his walk, he noticed two latinos "tagging" (vandalizing) a bridge. He stopped and wrote down their license tag number.

They approached him with a sharpened screwdriver and demanded the paper which contained the tag number.

He produced the .22 and they turned and ran. He fired, striking one in the back.

The .22 round ricocheted within the victim's chest cavity, bouncing around and basically chopping the organs to haggis.

He was arrested but the only charge was illegal carrying of a concealed weapon.

Dozens of letters to the editor in both L.A. papers inquired how citizens could purchase him more ammunition.

--Boris

[FreeTally]

Sorry. Weapon or no, in Tennessee, intruders can be killed if you think they mean you harm. Don't try me.

Yes, I know what the law says in most States. I responded to someone talking about being sued. Unfortunately, you may never be charged with a crime, but could lose your butt in civil court.

[FreeTally]

I understand that. See #39. I was reposnding to law suit comments, not legal justification of the use of deadly force.