How Far Would You Go To Defend Your Family & Property?

[CARLTON BROWN]

To answer the original question, I would do whatever was necessary and worry about the consequences afterwards.

[buttsie]

You do what needs to be done

Smartest thing anyone can ever do is learn their local intruder laws

No point going to jail because the law is an ass and expects people not to retaliate
There was a big guy in Sydney who walked in on a burglar carrying a TV down the stairs as he walked through his front door

The burglar dropped the TV the guy still got to him and pulled him down the stairs breaking his leg into the bargain.For this he got a dressing down in court by the judge

When asked did he understand what he'd done wrong he replied

"I rang the police when i should have been disposing of the burglar "
or words to that effect

He most likely got a good behaviour bond after being threatened with contempt of court but it shows the stupidity of the law in some places where an invader actually has rights

If you actually kill someone good luck

Some neighbor hoods are just feral because of drugs and the old age pensioners literally arm themselves waiting for the burglars because their the softest targets on the patch
sad to say

There was old age pensioner ages ago in Port Adelaide who killed a burglar
and that case dragged on for ages...eventually it ended well with self defence being accepted as a plausible reason but you can imagine enduring the thought of being sent to jail for simply protecting yourself for someone aged 70-80 as I recall him being would not be good for the heart.

[Warren G]

I live in Florida, and if you've been watching the news lately, you'll know this is the home of the "stand your ground" law. So, no...I wouldn't try breaking into my house if I were you.

Of course, I was raised with a respect for firearms and their use. I wouldn't shoot someone for snooping around the house, or stealing a lawnmower. But don't try coming through the window in the middle of the night.

It's pretty much common sense...the level of deadly force would be determined by the level of threat.

But enough about that...let's talk about happy things, like rainbows....

[haroldeye]

What calibre is a 'Rainbow,' Warren?

[palo5]

I want to know who Warren's avatar is. Is he another rock singer I never heard of?

[Mal Hombre]

That's British actor Daniel Day-Lewis in "Gangs of New York".

[lothian]

Woah chill, people, you're not going to kill anybody. Many studies conducted principally by the worlds military post WW2 have shown that only as little as 2 % of humans can actually bring themselves to kill another human being face to face even if their own lives are at stake. Nor would you want to, the vast majority of murderers either commit suicide or turn themselves in immediately after the deed.

[palo5]

Not in favor of killing either, but anyone attacking my family had better be tired of living

Property isn't important. It can be replaced

@BB - don't break jaws, break knees & legs

[NIN]

Thing is, you just don't know how far you will go Should something that could be used as a weapon (or an actual weapon) be close to hand if confronted, you would use it, and if you use it, you have to make it damn certain the ba$t4rd isn't getting up again to retaliate.
* And that's a position you don't want to be in , but it has been foisted upon you by the intruder - who should loose his basic human rights when he crosses the threshold or climbs through the window.

I didn't catch the guy who broke into my house whilst my Mum, Sister & I slept , he made off with some family trinkets, VHS tapes? and the contents of my Mums' purse

Thing is... It isn't just a case of possessions or family protection, what actually sticks in your throat & stays with you long afterwards is that somebody has violated your Home, you realize weeks after what the things exactly are that were taken, each time reminding you & fueling the regret, insecurity & anger.
That your private space has been rummaged through and God knows what else could have happened

Some personal belongings with the sentiments & memories attached can never be replaced, but i did find my Mums' watch at the bottom of the garden He probably realized it was only Gold plate on closer examination, & not worth a carrot to him ('scuse the pun)
But priceless to my mom who was given it on her 21st Birthday

[flake56]

can have and will if family or animal in my care threatened. no problem. may make me a cave man but that is fact. survival of self and family outweighs any so called civilized political correctness. do not believe in stand your ground without major evidence of threat. if a gun or knive is not openly in view, dont shoot. walk in my home and that is threat in and of itself. you did not come through with invite, you mean to do harm. yep, a throw back and a progressive with an attitude. btw, animals are just as vulnerable as humans and feel just as protective of them.