Self Defense: What is right?

[Lion of Narnia]

We have a lot of traditions and opinions here on CF.

Here's the basic situation:

It's 2AM, you're roused from sleep by smashing door/window. Heavy footsteps are headed toward your bedroom. What do you do? Accede to the invader's demands? Fight? If you fight, how far do you take it? Is lethal force an option? Are there any circumstances that might change you choice if you are normaly opposed to potentially deadly countervailing force? How do your religious opinions weigh into this?

Keep this civil, please.

-Robert

 

[Jet Black]

well considering the scenario it sounds like someone is after you specifically, since I doubt a burglar would stomp up the stairs to the bedroom, he would probably be a bit more quiet about it.

the reaction is one that one can only really consider at the time. personally I could handle anyone with anything short of several years of martial arts training or a gun. since neither of these are very likely where I am, I would defend myself accordingly.

 

[the_malevolent_milk_man]

Hmmm, my golden rule works here as well "Do unto others as they would do unto you... but do it first!"

If I know that there's an intruder in my house that's there to steal my stuff or hurt me I wouldn't hesitate to club him or shoot him in the leg (if I owned a gun). Basically my goal is to incapacitate them, don't care if it really hurts so long as it doesn't kill em. Lethal force isn't necesarry unless they have a gun. If they were threatening my life I wouldn't hesitate to to protect myself by any means necesarry.

 

[Jet Black]

as MMM said.

my personal favourite is

(1) swift kick to the groin
(2) repeat (1)

 

[erichmess_]

Well, I'm taking karate, and I'm soon to be owning a gun. My policy will go along the lines of shoot first, shoot, shoot some more, continue shooting, take a couple more shots, then ask questions, such as "where can I get some more bullets?"

Seriously, if someone is threatening me or my family, I will do everything in my power to stop them, and quite possibly kill them.

 

[My Higher Self]

I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, if anyone breaks into my home, it will be the last home they break in to. I have zero respect for people who invade someone elses home, and on top of that, I'm not gonna take the risk of anything happening to anyone in my family....its just a risk I am not willing to take. I'm shooting first, and asking questions later.

Plus....what if they same person, raped, kidnapped, or killed at a later point, and you had a chance to do something about it, I'd feel somewhat responsible that this obviously dangerous individual is still on the loose in my neighborhood.

or shoot him in the leg (if I owned a gun).

Never, ever tell the police, or your lawyer this....when you use a gun, you are using deadly force, you are "ALWAYS" in fear for your life....shooting the leg on purpose could get you landed in jail for maiming.

 

[kdet]

We have a lot of traditions and opinions here on CF.

Here's the basic situation:

It's 2AM, you're roused from sleep by smashing door/window. Heavy footsteps are headed toward your bedroom. What do you do? Accede to the invader's demands? Fight? If you fight, how far do you take it? Is lethal force an option? Are there any circumstances that might change you choice if you are normaly opposed to potentially deadly countervailing force? How do your religious opinions weigh into this?

Keep this civil, please.

-Robert

I have a gun and I will use it.
My religious opinion is that God will not hold me responsible for defending myself and my children.

 

[DoomMoose]

1)Id check to make sure it wasnt one of my friends.(my door is never locked and they come over whenever they want)
2)If its a stranger they would be personally introduced to the doomstick.

 

[TCapp]

Ditto all that! "course, you realize, in these days... YOU'LL be punished for defending yourself...

I'm not joking. It happens.

 

[DoomMoose]

Ditto all that! "course, you realize, in these days... YOU'LL be punished for defending yourself...

Like if the thief slips and breaks his leg he can sue you. Something like
that TCapp??

 

[TCapp]

Something like that.... Of course, in Canada, you have to have your guns always locked up, and your ammo locked up in a separate area....

I'll see if I can find some examples.

"Pardon me, Mr. Criminal, while I unlock my weapons. Could you just wait a few minutes..."

 

[DoomMoose]

That wouldnt be fun.

 

[TCapp]

A Canadian is much more likely to be charged for using a weapon in self defense. Even if the attacker is not inured seriously. The charges may be "possession of a prohibited weapon," "careless use," or "unsafe storage of a firearm." It seems that anyone who uses a firearm to defend him/herself must be financially able to prove in court that they acted in self defense.


(still looking for some specific examples....)

 

[DoomMoose]

I would really like to see an example if you can find one.Oh and stupid
question but are you canadian born?

 

[TCapp]

I'm not having much luck finding one right now, but I have seen them before and I will keep looking. And no, I'm American living in Canada.

 

[DoomMoose]

I KNEW IT YOU POSER!!!!! (j/k) Sorry couldnt resist.I was just
wondering.A lot of ex-american canadians lately.Well lets hear it for
Health Care.

 

[TCapp]

Whoa, there! Not an ex-American! America is my home, and if I could move back right now, I'd be packing my bags.

Not a Canadian either. I'm squeamish about taking Canadian citizenship.... I don't feel compelled to it, the way things are going to hell in a handbasket these days.

 

[DoomMoose]

Relax most of it was a reference to a movie.The lead woman calls herself
an ex-american Canadian.Just a joke.Any luck with the article?

 

[TCapp]

Yeah, I figured it was a joke that's why I had lots of

 

[Jet Black]

in the UK the break in laws are terrible. criminals can practically sue you if you don't leave a list of the locations of all your expensive stuff on the dining room table, and forget to keep some fresh milk for their cup of tea while they are burgling you.