Gun Control & RKBA
In reply to the discussion: Please post reasons why it is OK to kill people in defense of property. [View all]The question is whether one is defending their property or their life, how one gets from one point to the other, and why. The argument that if someone doesn't want to get shot they shouldn't steal or that one would never kill to defend property assumes a lot of things that may not be there.
It assumes an advantage in force for the defender. It assumes that the thieves won't change tactics to get whatever they think is valuable, be it your TV or potable water. It assumes we will continue to be the wealthy society we are today. All of these factors and more are exigent circumstances that will determine whether or not it is advisable or legal to use deadly force to defend property.
As it stands now, depending on the location, the thief and the homeowner are both making a bet. In a state where it is illegal to defend property with deadly force the thief is betting he can steal and run without getting shot in the back. In a state where the defense of property with deadly force is legal, the homeowner is betting he can bring more force to the confrontation than the thief who will be just as aware of the law. Time will tell which kind of law is the best, and that determination will depend on a host of factors surrounding our overall wealth and access to the necessities of life. These SHTF scenarios are like juggling spaghetti in a tornado.