Steve Hix wrote:

In article ,
"Jim Doyle" wrote:

Did it ever occur to you that one possible reason there
had been no burglaries there in the preceeding twelve years
is because many of his neighbors were similarly armed? (And
the burglars would naturally seek less-dangerous territory?)

Just wondering...

Sure, that's probably exactly why there were no burglaries in the area,
doesn't solve the problem though does it? He didn't have a sign in the
window advertising this vast arsenal and the desire to kill any sod who
breaks into his house - deterrents only work if they are known to be in
place

No, they actually work better if the would-be criminal is *uncertain*.

If the risk is analyzed and determined to be too high for comfort, he'll
go elsewhere or go into a different line of work (such as moving from
confrontational to non-confrontational types of crime).

Or, horror of horrors, get a job maybe... shudder
--

-Gord.