Question... And I Don't Know The Answer These Days, But...

[WillyT]

We used to get questions like this in certain college classes...

Situation:

You wake up in the middle of the night and a guy is taking your TV set out the front door, you have a gun, the door is open, the guy is leaving with your stuff, you are not in physical danger, but you have a gun...

Do you get to shoot him because he's taking your stuff ???

I tend to think that the answer has changed over the last 30 years.

[Horse with no Name]

1. It is the American weird obsession with STUFF

we now are allowed to kill people to protect our stuff.


Say that really slow three times.

Sends shivers down my spine and certainly makes me less attached to my stuff.

[WillyT]

3. I Agree... But It Was Sort Of A Moral/Ethical Thing...

The question was designed to separate the value of you/family (irreplaceable), from the value of your stuff (replaceable).

And it was amazing the consternation that question caused my fellow students back then... 1970's.

[elleng]

2. No,

but if 'the answer has changed,' its on a State by State basis.

Facts, prosecutorial discretion, skill of defense counsel would determine consequences, if charges were filed.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. Legally it has nothing to do with your stuff...

All of the states have the same standard for the use of deadly force for self defense, reasonable fear of GBI or death.

Castle Doctrine generically states that if someone has entered your home illegally, even if they are unarmed, you have a reasonable fear of GBI or death and there is no duty to retreat. That is what allows you to use deadly force.

Not all states have Castle Doctrine. However, in those states, considerable latitude is often given to women and the elderly.

I don't like killing over stuff, but if you don't know that its the neighbor's kid boosting your TV, I can understand shooting the intruder.

[Kalidurga]

5. I wouldn't shoot kid would probably drop the tv.

Plasmas and LCD tvs are pretty delicate electronic devices. So, shooting would just make a mess plus break your tv. However, hold on to the gun cause you don't know if the kid is packing or not or if the kid has violent tendencies. Tell him or her to put the tv down and go away. If the kid keeps going call the police.

[WillyT]

6. LOL !!! - Well, As Long As It's Not About The Stuff...

[OnyxCollie]

7. I shoot the TV set and save him from propaganda. nt