"B2431" wrote in message
...
From: Kerryn Offord
Dweezil Dwarftosser wrote:
Jim Doyle wrote:
"Jim Yanik" wrote:
SNIP
Well, there is a definite historical culture clash between Brits
and Americans concerning personal ownership of firearms (and that
alone is hard to overcome) - but it actually goes much deeper than
the legal mechanics of private gun ownership.
SNIP
This should be qualified.
The culture clash is only over hand guns and using firearms for self
defence (as a first line over and above getting out of there).
Why should one be forced into "getting out of" his residence? If you do
that
you have lost whatever edge you may have over the intruder. If the
intruder
intends harm he will follow you outside.
Let's say you have 2 children each in his own room, do you retreat alone,
take
the time to grab one or both? In the time it takes to wake one child and
convince him he has to leave his home the badguy is on top of you.
OK, once you get outside then what? If the intruder follows you and is
capable
of harming you he will still do so. Fight back once you are outside? With
what?
At least you could get to the kitchen and grab a knife inside the home.
What
if the resident is unable to defend himself or herself for whatever
reason?
Let me ask you a question. Is the life of a criminal more important than
yours?
OK, you let the badguy in, what then? You now have NO defense. What if the
badguy decides to rape you, your wife or child? What if he wants to beat a
family member? Don't tell me the family member will get over it, I have
seen
life long physical and emotional injuries. Don't think that's bad enough?
He's
in a position to kill all of you to eliminate witnesses. Why allow the
badguy
to make the dicision to harm you?
No, the life of a criminal of the type you describe is worthless. Genuinely.
Yet there is a distinction between him and some random hard-up opportunist
burglar with a family to feed. Granted, he's in the wrong - but not
deserving of a death sentence. The sole problem I have is with the very
blurred distinction between the two, and the trigger happy nature with which
a large number of Americans (taking Usenet posters as my only regular
contact with Americans) seem happy to deal with in these situations.
Again, I think this boils down largely to a difference between our two
countries. Although the UK has crime, just as any other country, I have
never heard in all my years of such an incident as you describe above.
Although sadly, there's always a possibility that this may happen, we do not
live in fear of such horrors. If you do in America, then I completely
understand your motives for owning a weapon for home defence. But do you
really live in fear of this?
Can I ask of the circumstances you found yourself in when you drew your
weapon?
You can't shoot to maim or wound because he can sue and probably win. You
really can't wait until his intentions are clear. If you can get him to
stop
his attack without shooting do so, if not shoot.
In Florida the magic number is 21 feet. If the badguy has started his
attack
and you shoot him dead he is likely to complete his actions up to 21 feet.
You
may have a house with 21 foot rooms, most of us don't. The decision to
shoot
has to be made in an instant.
In case you are wondering it breaks my heart when accidents happen such as
shooting one's own family member. Personally I want every citizen taught
basic
firearms safety even if they are opposed to owning guns. They can use fake
guns. At the very least every child should be taught what to do if they
find a
firearm. The NRA's Eddie Eagle program does just that.
That's interesting and refreshing to see, genuinely. I have taken the
impression from the majority of post over the past couple of days that there
is a general blasé attitude toward firearms and killing in the US. I have
very limited knowledge of the NRA, but from what I can see they seem to
promote firearm awareness and safety - which can't be bad in anyone's book.
Are all firearms owners in the US members of the NRA?
Jim Doyle
Dan, U.S. Air Force, retired