Bag of Worms Time.
This is an interesting story.
I don't think it has a great deal of relevance to those of us in the United
States, but it brings up questions that always go through my mind when the
"defense of person and property" argument is raised.
What is the occurrence rate of residential break-ins in which the intruders are
armed?
Of those break-ins, what is the rate of injuries, minor or fatal, to occupants
of those homes?
Of those break-ins, what is the rate of successful defenses by armed home
owners?
Personally, I don't buy these "wild west" arguments. I would feel as violated as
the next person if my home were burglarized, but I don't think the intruder
should be put to death for breaking and entering. Gun advocates also cannot
ignore the unfortunate instances of household members who have been gunned down
by gun-owning homeowners thinking that their homes are being invaded.
With that said, I have no problem with the safe and responsible ownership and
sporting use of guns.
I'm sure this thread will go on for a few dozen messages and I probably
unintentionally offended some listers that I consider friends. If that's the
case, I apologize.
Jay Fishbein
Wallingford, CT
Pellet guns and Slingshots
But no hand grenades, land mines, or thermo-nuclear devices.
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