homeowner allegedly takes the law into their own hands

[ileus]

http://www.wvnstv.com/story/18377439/homeowner-shoots-intruder-in-the-chest

A Raleigh County shooting is under investigation after a homeowner allegedly takes the law into their own hands.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I suppose he was to wait around and get beat while waiting for the LE.

[DanM]

1. If this had happened in the UK...

...the homeowner would have had to practically serve tea and crumpets to the home invader.

The UK is a mess, home invaders are actually given far more legal protections than the home owners they violate, and the violent crime rate in the UK being higher than in the US since at least 2009 speaks for itself.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196941/The-violent-country-Europe-Britain-worse-South-Africa-U-S.html

[Hoyt]

3. Yeah, and their health system sux. What a load.

[DanM]

6. Not taking a stance on that, but their hostility to home defense and coddling of criminals does suck

[Starboard Tack]

7. Makes one wonder if you are or have ever been there.

Or do you just get your news from the Daily Mail, which is on a par with the National Enquirer.
Time for a nice cup of tea now to wash away the drivel.

[Clames]

8. I was born there...

...and their healthcare system is nothing to brag about. Makes sense that in the more than 30 years my father has lived here, he's never seriously thought about going back. My adult cousins would much rather have their careers in the USA as the standard of living would be better for them. They fully understand how idiotic the laws pertaining to self defense are in the UK. Even carrying a small pocket knife can result in serious charges if you cannot demonstrate a clear and immediate need. That is the logical conclusion of the "reasonable" laws you advocate for.

[Starboard Tack]

9. Well we all have to be born somewhere.

Compared to the completely broken system in the US, the NHS is definitely something to brag about. Far from perfect, but infinitely fairer. I don't know your father, but his decision to not go back is far from unusual, especially if he came here as an immigrant. Most immigrants come here looking for a better life and I can well imagine not wanting to live in the UK during Thatcher.
I don't know your cousins either, but they are typical of many who seek the American Dream. Nothing wrong with that, though none of my relatives have ever considered it. "Nice place to visit, but nothing like home."
There are some idiotic laws in the UK, especially since 9/11, but the image of people getting busted for carrying pocket knives is sensationalist tabloid nonsense, based on a story of some overzealous bobbies who way overreacted in 2 separate instances.
Which laws do you think I advocate for? Name one.

[Clames]

10. We've discussed this before and you made that claim then...

There are some idiotic laws in the UK, especially since 9/11, but the image of people getting busted for carrying pocket knives is sensationalist tabloid nonsense, based on a story of some overzealous bobbies who way overreacted in 2 separate instances.

...even when I posted the actual laws. Anybody with a shred of common sense on this issue can read those laws and see how vague and poorly written it is. Sorry, what you call tabloid nonsense is alive and well in the UK.

Which laws do you think I advocate for? Name one.

I'm sure any law that curtailed CCW, expanded the NICS check to private firearms sales, banned certain classes of firearms or accessories would have considerable support from you. Hard to name a particular law though, they don't seem to last long enough to be of concern these days.

[Starboard Tack]

13. Wrong

I'm sure any law that curtailed CCW, expanded the NICS check to private firearms sales, banned certain classes of firearms or accessories would have considerable support from you. Hard to name a particular law though, they don't seem to last long enough to be of concern these days.

The only laws I advocate are those permitting local authorities to ban carrying in designated areas. I see gun carrying as a behavioral issue, similar to smoking and littering, spilling over into health and public safety. Obviously, there are some who feel safer having lots of guns around and others who feel the opposite. It is also a personal freedom issue, like smoking. There are those who would happily see the tobacco plant disappear from the planet tomorrow. Some feel the same way about guns. I think there should be compromise. If a restaurant wants to ban smoking entirely it should have the right. If it wants to be a smokers' restaurant, it should have the right. Employees have the choice where to work.
Same with guns. Urban planning is not an easy task with so many special interests at play, but intelligent zoning can keep most, if not all people reasonably happy. Red light districts are usually restricted, as is the proximity of liquor stores to schools etc.. Gun carrying is a socially polarizing issue. It need not be. I ride my bike on the bike path. Those who wish to carry should have similar places where they are welcome and not perceived as a health/safety threat.

[gejohnston]

14. what if those "no gun" areas become

hunting grounds for robbers and other miscreants? Kind of like thugs targeting rental cars in Florida some years ago.

[Starboard Tack]

16. There are lots of what ifs in life.

Nobody is forcing anyone to go there. If they are gun free, that means nobody gets to carry in those areas or establishments. Harsh penalties for those who do. Like managing to get a gun onto a plane or other current gun free zone.

[Prophet 451]

12. But you don't LIVE here

And from what you say, you haven't had occasion to use the NHS since you were a small child. Is the NHS perfect? Hell no. Is it better than you've been led to believe and vastly fairer? Absolutely.

And the pocket knife thing is rather more complicated than that for the simple reason that most coppers know full well how stupid the law is and turn a blind eye to it.

[Starboard Tack]

15. Thanks for setting these guys straight

So many over here buy into the tabloid crap about the UK. They think it is some kind of police state, which is so ironic when you compare your average bobby with the average US cop who looks like he's ready for WW3.
Nothing worse than disgruntled ex-pats. I avoid them like the plague. Not that one country is better or worse than the other, but when one get's criticized ignorantly from the other side, it get's my goat. I'll take British TV over American and American food over "toad in the hole" any day.

[Clames]

17. I don't need to live there....

...but I did live there, frequently spend time there with my family, even more frequently discuss these very issues with family members that have spent their entire lives there, and I could live there myself if for some unfathomable reason I decided to. What i've been lead to believe? Since you know precisely zero about me on that topic there is no "absolutely". Sorry.

As for the rest, until all the coppers decide that is a stupid law then it will continue to be a concern.

[Prophet 451]

11. That's bullshit

The Mail is an ultraright rag with roughly the journalistic standards of the National Enquirer. Posting something from Fox Nation would be about as credible.

While our home defence laws are very complicated and arguably tilted too far against the homeowner, things are nowhere near as bad as the Mail would have you believe.

[slackmaster]

2. Virtual Unrec for poorly-written and factually inaccurate, editorial first sentence

Captain Barley said when the homeowner opened the door the intruder attempted to hit the person with a club and then the homeowner shot the intruder in the chest.

That seems like a justifiable use of deadly force to me.

The case is currently under investigation and no charges have been filed.

It appears that the authorities agree with my assessment.

That's not taking the law into one's hands. It's exercising the natural right of self-defense, in full compliance with the law.

[Clames]

4. How rude.

He obviously took the law into his own hands when he became judge, jury, and executioner...:rolleyes:


Just in case...

[Cronkite]

5. I would have shot the guy too.

If someone is breaking into my home and tries to hit me with a club I would kill them.