So can we shoot Burglers or not??!!

[Kawasmoggie]

Well, it looks like you can certainly hit them with a hammer....

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2012/09/10/billingham-burglar-jailed-after-being-hit-with-hammer-in-stockton-flat-84229-31803709/

[Kwikasfuki]

Mr McGirr told jurors: "I didn't want it to escalate any further. I made him aware if I wanted to hurt him I could already have done.

"I was very careful not to go over the top. That's why he's only dazed and not dead"

[pistole]

- this thread is sad.

- its an indication of the depths our societies have deemed it appropriate to sink to.

- a thief's "rights" will trump those of the person for whom he is stealing from.

- one would have thought that if you ventured into another person's property with an intention to permanently deprive someone of their property (or maybe even worse) , you have just ceded all rights to being treated like a decent member of a law abiding society. Apparently  , no. Before shooting you, I have to ask whether you've just had your tea , what your blood type is and where it would be convenient for you to be shot.

- there was a time when they said that "an armed society is a polite society" , simply because you didn't get off lightly for being rude and acting poorly. Ie , your behaviour had consequences.

- anyhow ... a shotgun is a good choice for home defence. Low risk of a round penetrating walls , etc , and a very high accuracy rate in distances which typically occur in a dwelling (eg , under 10/20 feet). Just choose your shells carefully for what you want to do to the fellow.

.

[O.C.]

- this thread is sad.

.



- anyhow ... a shotgun is a good choice for home defence. Low risk of a round penetrating walls , etc , and a very high accuracy rate in distances which typically occur in a dwelling (eg , under 10/20 feet). Just choose your shells carefully for what you want to do to the fellow.

.

I have a couple of those, but they have to be kept in a very secure cabinet, not propped behind the kitchen door with a couple of cartridges up the spouts just in case an 'unwanted' visiter calls

[Ros]

I have a couple of those, but they have to be kept in a very secure cabinet, not propped behind the kitchen door with a couple of cartridges up the spouts just in case an 'unwanted' visiter calls

So you basically have to try and buy some time to remember where you put the keys, or what the combination is, remove any safety lock, pull it out, find the ammo, load it up, and take aim before you get hurt...

Might as well just go up to your unwanted visitor holding your  ...

[Gonome]

"He picked up a hammer, which he had by his bed" Only in the North East! 

[Lonewolf]

On page two though of the news article even his defence solicitor seemed impressed by the victims actions.

[O.C.]

So you basically have to try and buy some time to remember where you put the keys, or what the combination is, remove any safety lock, pull it out, find the ammo, load it up, and take aim before you get hurt...

Might as well just go up to your unwanted visitor holding your  ...

Absolutely correct 

[Rusty]

I believe in Texas USA you have an automatic right to shoot any one found on your property as a matter of course if you believe they are committing a felony ..... I read this from an article that was sent to me from a local paper ... a chap was awoken by 2 burglars in his garage in the dead of night and before they could both get out he had shot and killed one of them as they fled ... no offences disclosed on the part of the house owner !
This law was passed some years ago and Texas, strangely enough, has a very low Burglary Rate !! 

[pistole]

- castle doctrine

.

[Gonome]

Believe they have a similar law in SA. No doubt Deon can confirm that (or not!)