I Told Ya So: Texas Man Cleared for Killing Burglars

[Goofball]

Everyone here defending thieves should feel what it is like to be burgled. If enough goodytwoshoes are robbed and killed by these scum, maybe people will wake up to the fact that thieves may kill you and your family on a whim when they promised to only steal some junk. Who would have thought that they are degenerate, oppurtunistic, desperate liars?

Shoot first, ask questions later is the name of the game when the criminals are not in the custody of the authorities. This isn't a death penalty issue, the death penalty is questionable when criminals are out of society already. When they are committing violent crimes it is sensible to put them down as soon as possible - it is not a "penalty" then, rather an issue of safety. Utterly absurd. I had no idea how utterly absurd, restrictive and dangerous the opinions of the limp-wristed majority had become. Truly the most dangerous foe lies within civil society, not outside of it.

I couldn't agree more. The individuals who made up the grand jury that refused to indict this murderer showed themselves to be so completely lacking in moral perspective that I fear for the justice system as a whole in Texas.

Since most of you dodged my original question, then one of you came out with "Oh, that's different," let me ask you this:

Let's say I live next door to a shopping mall, and I happen to be sitting on my front porch, drinking some iced tea and lovingly fondling my shotgun, then I hear "Stop thief!" from a mall rent-a-cop yelling at a 40 year old housewife who has just shoplifted 5 pairs of panty-hose from Target. Unfortunately for this thief, she doesn't realize just what a moral, upstanding, gun-toting citizen I am, and tries to make her getaway by running across my front lawn. At which point, I yell "Stop or I'll blow your head off!" When she fails to comply, I open up with both barrels, and am rewarded by seeing her head turn into crimson mist and flying bone chips.

Still think that we can chalk that up as one for the good-guys?

And by the way, TSMcG, I have been burgled. Twice from my car and once from my house. And I have not the slightest desire to kill the people who did it.

[ICantSpellDawg]

And by the way, TSMcG, I have been burgled. Twice from my car and once from my house. And I have not the slightest desire to kill the people who did it.

Are you essentially saying that you prefer being burgled to defending your property and those within it by use of deadly force?

Maybe if you did you could avoid a third time?

I don't have kids and don't live with my girlfriend, so my responses would be different from someone else's. I would risk my life to kill criminals. Call me crazy, but I'm sure my plans would change if there were kids or loved ones in the house.

Think about it - if you kill them, you could save the people in the next houses they hit in the case it went bad.

[HoreTore]

You do realize that there are other ways of preventing crime than shooting all of them?

There are even ways that will benefit society beyond a lower crime rate...

[ICantSpellDawg]

You do realize that there are other ways of preventing crime than shooting all of them?

There are even ways that will benefit society beyond a lower crime rate...

But will they be as fun or memorable? I know it'is nonsense until it happens.

If society was more like a minefield with crazy jerks in unknown houses, bad people might avoid those places. The less resistance there is to home invasion the less safe everyone is.

You guys believe that if someone enters your home to steal or whatever else, you should be charged with murder and imprisoned in the event of their violent death? You are nuts and unethical. You are the oppressive tyranny that everyone is afraid of. I know this is different because it took place outside, but you don't know about his relationship with those neighbors.

Again - The only virtue left is the defense of vice. You guys make me sick.

[HoreTore]

If society was more like a minefield with crazy jerks in unknown houses, bad people might avoid those places.

*looks at US crime statistics*

You might want to reconsider that opinion

Again - The only virtue left is the defense of vice. You guys make me sick.

Yes, in a functioning court system, even the most evil villain gets a chance to defend himself, and most certainly small-time burglars. Not sure why that sickens you though...

[ICantSpellDawg]

*looks at US crime statistics*

You might want to reconsider that opinion

Blame crime on low median income and opportunity. Also throw in the general Hispanic and African American demographic. That is the reality.

If I'm confused, when do we use the firearms which we keep for protection? Who is it meant to protect.

If you are carrying a weapon and a bank is being robbed - should you use it if you get a clear shot? It isn't your home.

[Adrian II]

[PanzerJaeger]

Also throw in the general Hispanic and African American demographic. That is the reality.

You'll scare the elephant.

[Ser Clegane]

If you are carrying a weapon and a bank is being robbed - should you use it if you get a clear shot? It isn't your home.

A bank robbery tends to be an armed robbery, i.e. victims are usually threatened with a gun - which is very different from a situation where burglars/thieves are in the process of leaving the scene with loot.
Apart from that the idea that you get a "clear shot" during a bank robbery (i.e. you can make absolutely sure that the robber is incapacitated and has no chance to harm bystanders before and after you make your shot) seems very hypothetical.

BTW, where I live people working at a bank are strongly encouraged to simply hand over the money and to only activate the silent alarm - instead of trying to play the hero.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Life, Liberty, and Property are not separate rights, but facets of the same inalienable right.

To defend one's own property IS to defend one's self.

The legalized inability to defend one's property is tyranny.

The criminals involved had their own right to life and property, but not at the expense of another's right. In attempting to contravene another's right to his property, they put their own rights in abeyance. When confronted, had they put down the man's personal property and exited his real property promptly, then the shotgunner would have been wrong to kill them.

The failure to defend one's property, or for the state to abet and condone such defense, is a means to chaos.

[Adrian II]

If society was more like a minefield with crazy jerks in unknown houses, bad people might avoid those places.

Who wants to live in a country full of crazy jerks in unknown houses?

You have dug a hole for yourself that is now big enough to fall into. No wonder it makes you sick. It is no use blaming Tribesman and others for the fact that you are so confused on this issue.

[Tribesman]

I couldn't agree more. The individuals who made up the grand jury that refused to indict this murderer showed themselves to be so completely lacking in moral perspective that I fear for the justice system as a whole in Texas.

Well said Goof , it was the same over here with the Nally case , it was without the slightest shadow of a doubt cold blooded murder , but he is walking free .Though he can no longer own a gun as he has shown himself to be an irresponsible gun owner, which kinda negates Tuffs last nonsense as if someone tries to burgle him now he hasn't got a gun to shoot them with .

[Goofball]

And by the way, TSMcG, I have been burgled. Twice from my car and once from my house. And I have not the slightest desire to kill the people who did it.

Are you essentially saying that you prefer being burgled to defending your property and those within it by use of deadly force?

Maybe if you did you could avoid a third time?

I don't have kids and don't live with my girlfriend, so my responses would be different from someone else's. I would risk my life to kill criminals. Call me crazy, but I'm sure my plans would change if there were kids or loved ones in the house.

(bold added by me)

No, that's not what I'm saying. And you have tried to do yet again what the "Kill 'em all and let God sort 'em out" faction has been trying to do this whole thread: make it about a guy defending his life instead of a guy defending his lawn.

If somebody broke into my house when I was there with my family, I would use every means of violence at my disposal, up to and including tactical nukes, to drive them away or kill them if they wouldn't leave, because I would be in fear of my family's safety. But when they were already on the run and the danger had passed, I would call the police, then lock myself in with my family and make sure my kids weren't too freaked out. I wouldn't leave my family cowering in the house while I chased the crooks down the street with guns blazing.

Think about it - if you kill them, you could save the people in the next houses they hit in the case it went bad.

Sure. Makes sense. Know what else makes sense? According to conservatives, pot smoking eventually leads to heroin use. Which invariably leads to burglary to support the heroin habit. So why not also make it legal to gun down high school kids if you happen to see them smoking pot while playing hack in the park?

That would also save good honest homeowners from future burglaries gone bad.

Sure, there's a small chance the kids would have "survived" their brush with canabis to go on and be productive and law abiding citizens, but why take that chance?

By the way, I notice that you completely ignored my question about the soccer mom transporting stolen goods across my lawn.

What's the matter? Couldn't find an answer that supported your "If they're doing something illegal, then they deserve to get blown away" philosophy?

[ICantSpellDawg]

(bold

What's the matter? Couldn't find an answer that supported your "If they're doing something illegal, then they deserve to get blown away" philosophy?

You can try to knock her out.

I once worked at a CD store. A guy stole some dvds and jumped over an old lady to leave the store.

Me and another worker took off after him, punched him in the face and when he got into his car we started choking him and punching him in the face further. He backed the car out as fast as he could and ran me over with his open car door. In the process, his door flipped to the front of his car, totally ruining his car. He screamed and cursed us for destroying his car and threatened to sue as he rode away... I was lying on my stomach in the road.

Needless to say by destroying his car we exacted payment for the stolen videos. That is justice, letting him get away without a pound of flesh (or car) is cowardice. There was no legal action and that giant baby was never heard from again by our store.

Escalation can work out quite well. I figure that I can die in a car accident or from a disease - I may as well die exacting revenge or preventing a crime is all im saying. The judicial system is for cowards and people with families. Let us singles sort out things while we are single. Maximum justice for minimum risk.

That's the ROE of everyone except army personnel and in a few cases the police in this country. Give the guy with the weapon what he wants as quickly as possible, so that he leaves as soon as possible. Do not risk life or health over material stuff.

I'd hit a boss who told me to put my life at risk to protect a few thousand bucks.

Never give a man with a weapon what he wants. What is your life worth? I'm really upset with you guys. Can't you at least pretend not to be cowards? This is a website for craps sake, not even the real deal. ( I don't think you are a coward, goofball)

If the guy kills or critically wounds me he goes to jail for life, If I kill or critically wound him, there is still justice. Its all about turning up the heat and making them regret their decisions.

We live once - die the way you want to.

[HoreTore]

What is your life worth?

A LOT more than what's in a cash register.

[Tribesman]

You are just jealous that I am some sort of mini punisher

Well what can I say to that . Have you ever thought of going to Oz Tuff , the scarecrow got sorted , perhaps the wizard can fix you up with one too