Quote: chipolata @ April 19 2010, 8:06 PM BSTI take your point, but I do rather enjoy having a young lady on my arm.
How young . . ?
I read the news today oh boy! Page 115
Quote: chipolata @ April 20 2010, 9:07 AM BSTI have zero tolerance where the home is concerned. It's supposed to be the safest most secure part of your life. Anybody invades that, they deserve everything they get.
Exactly. No court in this country would convict you if you kill someone who broke into your home. Texas has the"castle doctrine" which clearly states that you can use deadly force if you are confronted by an intruder in your home or automobile.
If anyone kicks down my door they're going to find themselves full of holes.
Quote: DaButt @ April 20 2010, 9:59 AM BSTIf anyone kicks down my door they're going to find themselves full of holes.
What if it's the Police?
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ April 20 2010, 10:01 AM BSTWhat if it's the Police?
There's a reason that the police announce themselves very loudly before they kick down the door.
Quote: DaButt @ April 20 2010, 9:59 AM BSTExactly. No court in this country would convict you if you kill someone who broke into your home. Texas has the"castle doctrine" which clearly states that you can use deadly force if you are confronted by an intruder in your home or automobile.
Home, fair enough, I'd happily beat an intruder to death with their own shoes, but I think killing someone who's stealing your car is perhaps a bit much! 
(Unless you live in your car)
Quote: DaButt @ April 20 2010, 10:03 AM BSTThere's a reason that the police announce themselves very loudly before they kick down the door.
What if you're wearing headphones and don't hear that bit? 
Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 20 2010, 10:06 AM BSTHome, fair enough, I'd happily beat an intruder to death with their own shoes, but I think killing someone who's stealing your car is perhaps a bit much!
A person has a right to safety and security. Most carjackers don't merely ask politely if you'll hand over the keys. They either threaten you with a weapon or beat you until you comply. I'm a peaceful person, but anyone who threatens me with physical harm while I'm peacefully going about my business is asking for a bullet.
Dolly, how often do the police break into people's homes and get killed in the process?
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ April 20 2010, 10:06 AM BSTWhat if you're wearing headphones and don't hear that bit?
Then I wouln't hear them kicking down the door and wouldn't have time to grab a firearm.
Quote: chipolata @ April 20 2010, 10:18 AM BSTDolly, how often do the police break into people's homes and get killed in the process?
It happens on occasion here, but it's more likely that the gun-grabbing homeowner will be killed because it's usually 5 armed cops against one groggy gun owner.
There have been a few high-profile cases where the cops barge into the wrong home and shoot the armed occupant.
Quote: DaButt @ April 20 2010, 10:17 AM BSTA person has a right to safety and security. Most carjackers don't merely ask politely if you'll hand over the keys. They either threaten you with a weapon or beat you until you comply. I'm a peaceful person, but anyone who threatens me with physical harm while I'm peacefully going about my business is asking for a bullet.
You didn't mention 'car jacking', just having someone steal your car. I'm not sure there's an awful lot of Car Jacking over here. I've very rarely heard any stories anyway. Obviously somone pulling you from your car, or whatever, is a different matter to someone breaking into it whilst its parked up and nipping off with it.
Quote: DaButt @ April 20 2010, 10:22 AM BSTThere have been a few high-profile cases where the cops barge into the wrong home and shoot the armed occupant.
Fabulous.
Quote: Matthew Stott @ April 20 2010, 10:49 AM BSTYou didn't mention 'car jacking', just having someone steal your car.
No I didn't. Read it again. But I'm pretty sure that the law would allow you to kill someone stealing your car. Our system is pretty good about making sure that the criminal is the one who is punished, not the victim.
Quote: DaButt @ April 20 2010, 11:06 AM BSTNo I didn't. Read it again. But I'm pretty sure that the law would allow you to kill someone stealing your car. Our system is pretty good about making sure that the criminal is the one who is punished, not the victim.
Read it. Like I mentioned, Car Jacking is not really a thing here generally, so my mind didn't jump to that, just to someone nicking your car.
The castle doctrine includes your car, i.e. it's an extension of your home. You can even carry a gun without a permit.
Quote: DaButt @ April 20 2010, 11:06 AM BSTBut I'm pretty sure that the law would allow you to kill someone stealing your car.
If it would, then that to me is a little messed up. If you looked out your window, saw someone trying to hot wire your car, ran out with a gun and shot the guy dead, that is somewhat of an overeaction. If they're trying to attack you, pull you from the car, threaten you with a weapon, or anything like that, then yeah, you should be allowed to Dirty Harry their ass.