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Flatulo

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119. It's not always possible, or even desirable. Are there children sleeping upstairs?

Sun Mar 24, 2013, 10:30 PM

Mar 2013

Do you abandon your wife in the bedroom while you go out a window in the den? What if you're disabled? Even with my cane I can only walk about .001 MPH. I can't run even one step or I'll crumble like a cheap suit.

How do you know what an intruder's intentions are, especially given that they've taken the really extraordinary step of entering your home while its occupied? I doubt very many burglars do this - it's far safer - for them - to burgle an unoccupied dwelling.

It's not about $40 DVD players. It's about violating your personhood in one of the most offensive ways imaginable. I can only put rape higher on the list of things that should get a perpetrator shot. If you can be violated in your own home with relative impunity, then where on earth can one feel safe?

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Teenager Mistakes Little Brother for Intruder, Shoots Him [View all] baldguy Mar 2013 OP

Well, if the 12 year old brother had only COLGATE4 Mar 2013 #1

His parents probably put the fear of God into him. busterbrown Mar 2013 #16

Hordes of 'dam' furriners' you mean... nt COLGATE4 Mar 2013 #18

That is my new response to all shootings ybbor Mar 2013 #21

My first thought, too. The NRA should be declared a public health emergency. McCamy Taylor Mar 2013 #24

God damn. nt Purveyor Mar 2013 #2

Immediately going on my FB page Divernan Mar 2013 #3

Gun culture + Fear culture = Shit like this alcibiades_mystery Mar 2013 #4

Guns go well with chattering teeth. Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2013 #42

+ struggle4progress Mar 2013 #130

That's quite an emotional load for this teenager to carry around for the rest of his life Submariner Mar 2013 #5

That was my first thought--that this teenager thucythucy Mar 2013 #43

guns usually kill family members or are used in suicides when used on a person markiv Mar 2013 #6

One in twenty two... Blanks Mar 2013 #23

depends on where you are markiv Mar 2013 #30

I live on earth. Blanks Mar 2013 #34

Did it ever occur to anyone to get out of the house? Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2013 #45

I don't understand why anyone would want to shoot an intruder... Blanks Mar 2013 #65

What if the intruder had a GUN?????? alp227 Mar 2013 #67

What if no one had a gun? adieu Mar 2013 #71

Do you include cops in your scenario? N/t alp227 Mar 2013 #78

What part of "no one has a gun" adieu Mar 2013 #81

Face it. In the REAL WORLD, guns are sometimes NECESSARY. alp227 Mar 2013 #83

Bullshit. nt mimi85 Mar 2013 #94

Name me a war in the past 40 years adieu Mar 2013 #103

Citizens of most of the world's developed nations do not have guns primavera Mar 2013 #122

How far back are you looking? pipoman Mar 2013 #129

Sure, gun control is a relatively modern step in world history primavera Mar 2013 #131

Yeah and 80 years ago, when they needed them, they needed them immediately..n/t pipoman Mar 2013 #139

If no one had a gun, a strong man could still assault or violate a weaker person. Flatulo Mar 2013 #192

Get a grip. Blanks Mar 2013 #164

Really? Let me break your points down alp227 Mar 2013 #182

Twenty-two to one. Blanks Mar 2013 #185

That 22x figure has been disputed elsewhere on DU. alp227 Mar 2013 #186

I feel the way I do because of my own situation. Blanks Mar 2013 #187

It's blood sport. The home version. Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2013 #68

A good friend of mine Mojorabbit Mar 2013 #121

It's not always possible, or even desirable. Are there children sleeping upstairs? Flatulo Mar 2013 #119

+100 nt Mojorabbit Mar 2013 #120

I believe there are rape victims that will disagree that a burglary is the same thing. Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2013 #140

Who said they're the same thing? I believe I said that having ones home invaded is a Flatulo Mar 2013 #142

"They should choose a less dangerous occupation." Spitfire of ATJ Mar 2013 #143

I choose to live my life... not live in fear of pain or death. defacto7 Mar 2013 #147

Oh, I assure you I don't live in fear. Flatulo Mar 2013 #175

short reply... defacto7 Mar 2013 #178

I appreciate your civility, which is in short supply when the topic turns to guns. Flatulo Mar 2013 #179

You're an honest person... defacto7 Mar 2013 #189

You too, friend. Peace. Flatulo Mar 2013 #191

what exactly is a secure gun? samsingh Mar 2013 #168

Guns could be made safer if the manufacturers chose to do so. Flatulo Mar 2013 #180

the nra supports, encourages guns for children and youth samsingh Mar 2013 #193

Go away, troll. llmart Mar 2013 #108

how, exactly, is 'guns are most often kill family members or are used in suicides' markiv Mar 2013 #125

yes, i was confused by the other posters comment samsingh Mar 2013 #169

"Outnumbered"??? Zoeisright Mar 2013 #136

all I said was that a gun bought for safety LOWERS the safety of the home markiv Mar 2013 #160

How incredibly traumatic and heartbreaking for this family. timdog44 Mar 2013 #7

Not everyone who thinks "gun control" is misguided loves or owns guns. harmonicon Mar 2013 #8

Face it, guns are an evil that will always exist. alp227 Mar 2013 #54

How would a criminal have guns if no one had guns? harmonicon Mar 2013 #72

You still haven't acknowledged a black market. alp227 Mar 2013 #80

Umm... I don't know what you're not getting here. harmonicon Mar 2013 #84

I agree. mimi85 Mar 2013 #95

It's completely logically correct...but logic is just theory. sir pball Mar 2013 #102

The problem with Jenoch Mar 2013 #128

Will we have middle school metal shops? AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #145

Or...not everyone who owns guns thinks "gun control" is misguided. sir pball Mar 2013 #98

Well, I put "gun control" in quotes for a reason. harmonicon Mar 2013 #104

The whole protection thing is a real bother to me from both sides. sir pball Mar 2013 #114

If lawsuits truly are frivolous, they can be thrown out. harmonicon Mar 2013 #154

We can do both Politicub Mar 2013 #173

I wouldn't vote against someone because they'd voted for gun control legislation... harmonicon Mar 2013 #176

GOD DAMN! elleng Mar 2013 #9

Probably gun nut parents AgingAmerican Mar 2013 #10

A good friend of mine watched his dad accidentally shoot his mom when he was 12 proud2BlibKansan Mar 2013 #11

How horribly sad... mimi85 Mar 2013 #97

He's in his late 40s early 50s proud2BlibKansan Mar 2013 #105

I just had an uncivil discussion with a gun nut elsewhere, and he thinks all kids 11 and up mbperrin Mar 2013 #12

Call me an out of touch liberal, but I don't understand this mentality of shooting an intruder Hippo_Tron Mar 2013 #13

And if they see you sitting quietly, what do you think they are going to do? LisaL Mar 2013 #32

If you're alone, you could probably just get out of the house. Dash87 Mar 2013 #155

How can you possibly value the life of someone who would violently force their way into your Flatulo Mar 2013 #44

How can you possibly value your X-box or your TV over your own life? baldguy Mar 2013 #49

I don't. Anyone can have my X-box, TV or anything else I have. Flatulo Mar 2013 #70

um, a couple armed teenagers just shot a year-old baby in the face magical thyme Mar 2013 #101

So, you're saying the baby should have been carrying a weapon? baldguy Mar 2013 #106

Anyone broken enough to shoot a baby in the face is almost certainly on a path to wreak Flatulo Mar 2013 #107

Usually find out who was "the wrong hands" after the fact. Neoma Mar 2013 #115

Unfortunately that's true in many cases, but isn't it the case that many times the Flatulo Mar 2013 #116

I think neighbors sometimes say that to rationalize it. Neoma Mar 2013 #118

no. You claimed it's mean to shoot burglars over an x-box magical thyme Mar 2013 #109

For starters, teenagers cannot lawfully carry a pistol in that context. AtheistCrusader Mar 2013 #159

So.... mimi85 Mar 2013 #93

It's a highly personal decision. If the decision is made to keep firearms, there should be Flatulo Mar 2013 #96

Remember Michael Dukakis being asked about the death penalty alp227 Mar 2013 #56

This is a post on an internet message board, not a strategy session for the Democratic Party Hippo_Tron Mar 2013 #112

a little old lady's body was found dumped at a park near me last month BlancheSplanchnik Mar 2013 #66

There are substantially more thieves than murderers Hippo_Tron Mar 2013 #113

I always makes me feel, I dunno, proud, I guess, when I read about an elderly woman Flatulo Mar 2013 #123

I won't call you anything bad ... Straw Man Mar 2013 #146

In 2011 Roughly 5 per 100k people are murdered in the US Hippo_Tron Mar 2013 #165

It's definitely a judgment call. Straw Man Mar 2013 #170

In the real world there isn't sufficient time to assess the scenario Hippo_Tron Mar 2013 #188

Sometimes there is, and sometimes there isn't. Straw Man Mar 2013 #190

Florida again. I guess the kid was just standing his ground. It is his right, you know. BlueStreak Mar 2013 #14

Yeah, that's how I feel about it too. Blanks Mar 2013 #27

Significantly different facts in Fox news report. Divernan Mar 2013 #15

Well, which story is correct? busterbrown Mar 2013 #20

Yeah, the fox story is another story completely ybbor Mar 2013 #25

Are you sure you have the same story? riderinthestorm Mar 2013 #26

Both reported in the Orlando area/Orange county. Divernan Mar 2013 #29

Yup, just tragic. nt riderinthestorm Mar 2013 #40

Obviously I don't know for certain, but this seems like a different incident. nt ZombieHorde Mar 2013 #35

Sounds like two dead children to me. Thor_MN Mar 2013 #36

This is a completely different incident. Brickbat Mar 2013 #38

With so many gun tragedies, hard to keep em straight. Hoyt Mar 2013 #87

One happened in Polk County, the other Orange County struggle4progress Mar 2013 #132

Another Wonderful Tale Of Home Invasion Defense! onehandle Mar 2013 #17

Waiting for NRA/gun nut response... wtmusic Mar 2013 #19

They've been laying low recently, but buying more guns and conniving with their gun buddies. Hoyt Mar 2013 #60

You would have to hold your breath for one hour, 56 minutes if my calculations are correct. 2ndAmForComputers Mar 2013 #126

Are We Safer Yet ??? WillyT Mar 2013 #22

If only it had been raining guns that day, this never would have happened. nt valerief Mar 2013 #28

NRA jumped the shark on Sandy Hook markiv Mar 2013 #31

So sad. nt ZombieHorde Mar 2013 #33

When I was a teenager I shot a hole in the wall WHEN CRABS ROAR Mar 2013 #37

That happens a lot, glad you were OK then and now. Hoyt Mar 2013 #61

I was 12 and on a frequent quail hunt dotymed Mar 2013 #86

WOW. The parents left a 16 year old in charge of the gun in the house? Mika Mar 2013 #39

I think the parents should be held criminally liable. A 16 year-old, more often than not, Flatulo Mar 2013 #46

I guess it all depends on where, and how, you were raised.. Ghost in the Machine Mar 2013 #110

Yup, rural areas have a tradition of hunting to put protein on the table. I had a Ruger 10-22 Flatulo Mar 2013 #117

The parents aren't victims, but both boys are AAO Mar 2013 #111

Stand by for the official NRA statement on this tragedy. TheCowsCameHome Mar 2013 #41

Another tragedy mike dub Mar 2013 #47

Rather than the fantasy of shooting an intruder, SCVDem Mar 2013 #48

"Rape doors" are commonplace in South Africa KamaAina Mar 2013 #62

I suspect the family in the OP may wish they had gone that option n/t Fumesucker Mar 2013 #91

I am sorry but I just don't have a lot of sympathy for avebury Mar 2013 #50

Shoot first then call 911..... Historic NY Mar 2013 #51

Life in America: Another day, another senseless shooting AndyA Mar 2013 #52

Police: Pa. Man Kills Son, Wounds Wife; Kills Self UnrepentantLiberal Mar 2013 #53

And what you've posted here gives the lie to one COLGATE4 Mar 2013 #55

Oh yeah I forgot about the knife excuse ybbor Mar 2013 #63

Another case where a protection order didn't protect even with prior arrests... Historic NY Mar 2013 #57

HOW did this man obtain or retain a FIREARM??? It violates FEDERAL LAW.... happyslug Mar 2013 #181

Now ... only if cosmicone Mar 2013 #58

Always ID your target. ileus Mar 2013 #59

Thanks for standard gun cultist advice. Hoyt Mar 2013 #64

You don't recommend IDing your target? ileus Mar 2013 #69

I don't recommend living guns, and repeating such BS in your head like a Marine in training. Hoyt Mar 2013 #75

You don't have to be a Marine to believe in firearm safety. ileus Mar 2013 #79

I don't live my life preparing to shoot someone, or preparing for the best shot. Hoyt Mar 2013 #82

"Sometimes good intentions have bad consequences" secondvariety Mar 2013 #73

Disgusting. n/t bitchkitty Mar 2013 #162

That's Good Advice. Try To Keep It In Mind..... Paladin Mar 2013 #163

Message auto-removed monia0 Mar 2013 #74

Man shot in head over double-parked car UnrepentantLiberal Mar 2013 #76

Isn't it common for Siblings to scare each other sometimes ? JI7 Mar 2013 #77

aw HECK YES Skittles Mar 2013 #85

I get up in the middle of the night HockeyMom Mar 2013 #88

The solution is obviously MOAR GUNZ!! kestrel91316 Mar 2013 #89

I am still shaking my head at this one... Not Me Mar 2013 #90

What was needed here was a good guy with a gun Doctor_J Mar 2013 #92

Ain't that Second Amendment grand! markpkessinger Mar 2013 #99

Negligent homicide. sir pball Mar 2013 #100

You must be one cool calm and collected son of a gun. Got it all figured out, huh? Ed Suspicious Mar 2013 #137

It's a kata, nothing more. sir pball Mar 2013 #144

Rambo was a movie olddots Mar 2013 #156

Yep sir pball Mar 2013 #157

Seems like this kind of thing happens at least ten times more frequently Nye Bevan Mar 2013 #124

I practice the ultimate gun safety tip. 2ndAmForComputers Mar 2013 #127

I'm with you. nt Ed Suspicious Mar 2013 #138

I wonder whether he had heard about the girl who tblue37 Mar 2013 #133

For every intruder shot in the home 22 residents of the home are shot. baldguy Mar 2013 #134

Guns guns guns, it isn't like this in most modern states, it doesn't have to be this way here Exultant Democracy Mar 2013 #135

Gun Nuts on the Loose rks306 Mar 2013 #141

The gun nut parents should be thrown in jail. Cali_Democrat Mar 2013 #148

a pet house dog, house exit plans and how to call 911 first can change the dynamics of a kid alone. Sunlei Mar 2013 #149

More education is needed Franker65 Mar 2013 #150

This message was self-deleted by its author Moostache Mar 2013 #151

One child is physically dead... ReRe Mar 2013 #152

To loosing a little brother will haunt you forever, but killing him yourself... Exultant Democracy Mar 2013 #161

I have a friend who lost his brother... ReRe Mar 2013 #184

Kick! Heidi Mar 2013 #153

Revoke his "well-regulated militia" ID card! n/t tabasco Mar 2013 #158

kick samsingh Mar 2013 #167

gun lovers don't care. samsingh Mar 2013 #166

I still believe this was a tragic accident, but Blue_Tires Mar 2013 #171

Did the 12yo have a concealed carry permit? Politicub Mar 2013 #172

Why does it have to be... RoccoRyg Mar 2013 #174

So unbelievably sad, senseless and preventable...but for gun manufacturer lobbying. nt SunSeeker Mar 2013 #177

I think one of our well-meaning gun-owning DUers should send this young man a Greeting Card LanternWaste Mar 2013 #183