Had to happen eventually.

I agree with some of this, Yoji; but not all. Yes, the presence of weapons raises the stakes in any confrontation.No, you do not need a gun to evict a home invader.But what if this home invader is armed as well? How doyou know if this person is going to shoot you or not? You don't. You can't possibly know.(Until the weapon is actually discharged).All i am advocating here on this issue is more clear, concise legalese from the Supreme Court(as this seems to me to be a very important issue- just ask Mr. Martin how important it is)to define "bearing arms" as meant by the Second Amendment.
It seems to me that this man was put in the unfortunate position of being the victim first; and then chose to take on the role of law enforcement by deciding to shoot the burglar. Fluffmeister has pointed out that since the burglar's back was turned; now Mr. Martin chose to shoot instead of relegating this to the police. This was a bad situation made worse, by unclear law.

No, you don't know they're going to shoot you or not, but you do risk raising the stakes of it actually happening if you have a gun as well.

Yoji wrote:Here is a seminar you should attend:

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Due to the growing support for gun control in this nation, Safe Homes, Inc. is proud to announce a free seminar series on Crime and the Gun-Free Home!

Introduction

As part of a continuing public service effort, we are planning a series of seminars aimed at helping the members of anti-gun households prepare for crime, and to cope with its aftermath.

At present, our agenda is incomplete, but we are attempting to assemble a staff of experts who will be able to address the issues in a competent fashion. Times and dates will be announced at a later date. If you are interested in any of the following seminars, please contact us by e-mail at: nogunshere@gunfreehome.com. We'll be glad to help.

Seminar Topics

Preparing Your Home for Burglary/Home Invasion.

Today's burglars are looking for items they can turn to cash readily. The last thing you want to have happen is to have the burglar become frustrated with the quality of merchandise you have to offer. This seminar will let you know how much cash to have on hand, what brands of TVs, VCR, and cameras will provide the criminal with the greatest degree of satisfaction. The seminar will also help you avoid those things, such as safes, locks, and hiding places that really piss burglars off.

Making Your Home Safe for Your Unwanted Guest.

Technically, a burglar is a trespasser on your property. However, recent court judgments have shown you do have a duty to prevent the burglar from unreasonable risk of injury while he/she is in your home. Modeled after OSHA regulations, this seminar will help you identify conditions in your home that could prove risky to the burglar. Remember, he/she will be operating under much stress, and under low light conditions. The last thing you want is to be accused of placing booby-traps. And, actually, could you really live with yourself knowing someone was seriously hurt or killed in your home. Just because a burglar is committing a crime in your home, it does not mean that they deserve death or permanent disability.

Turn the Other Cheek - The Straight Male Homeowner's Guide to Sexual Assault.

There was a time when burglars just wanted valuables. Now, many home invaders seek to humiliate their victims as well. FBI statistics show homosexual rape is becoming quite common during home invasions and other violent crimes. This seminar will help the straight male homeowner survive, and cope with sexual assault. Topics covered will include what sex acts you will be expected to perform on your assailant, and the types of sex acts he will perform on you. Methods on feigning enjoyment, and suppressing the gag reflex will be covered as well. Also, How To Relax Your Sphincter and Enjoy Anal Intercourse.

"Mommy, has Spot Gone to Heaven?"

Pets, unfortunately, are subjected to considerable abuse at the hands of home invaders. Often, children are forced to watch their pets being beaten, disemboweled, or even skinned alive. This seminar will teach parents methods of coping with their kids' grief over the loss of their pet. The theme of this seminar will be that parents must convey the fact that the killer of their pets is not a bad person, but probably an unloved person in need of understanding and sympathy.

"Why Did Those Men Do Those Things to Mommy"

Forced sex has become almost routine during home invasions. Children are often forced to watch their mothers, and even their fathers, have sex with the intruders. This seminar will attempt to help parents explain to their kids what the various sex acts were, and why their parents engaged in these acts with the home invaders.

Don't Forget, They Are Human Beings.

The purpose of this seminar is to help victims erase any anger resulting from their experiences. Victims must realize that their assailants are human beings, and no matter what crimes they have committed, armed violence on the part of the homeowner is unacceptable.

All seminar attendees will receive a free door sign to ensure the highest level of safety during a home invasion. It contains the following text, in bold letters that are easy to read from the street. Perfect for your front door or garage window

NOTICE: THERE ARE NO WEAPONS ON THIS PROPERTY

Be Advised: This home is a gun-free zone. Studies show that gun-free households are 43 times safer than those with guns. Therefore, possession of weapons for any purpose is prohibited on these premises (including possession by police and other law enforcement agents).

If it is your intent to rob this home, please be advised that the occupants are progessive people who understand the social dynamics behind your actions. We know you are a victim of Reaganomics and Newt, and we feel your pain. We know that you are in a life and death struggle to survive. Therefore, we will not resist you, and will cooperate with your every demand.

We know that in your heart you are non-violent and hope that you will not hurt us intentionally. Let's talk; we can get you the counseling you need. Maybe you can join us in our struggle against capitalism, the right to own property, the NRA, and the GOP.

(Please note: this sign also available in pictograms, braille, Ebonics, Spanish, Croatian and Cyrillic.)

Bill of Rights: Void Where Prohibited By Law.

If it saves just one life...enslaving you was worth it.

Do you really think a burglar or home invader is going to stop to either read or listen to a lesson on socio-economics? They are there for the burglary, not a civics lesson. If you are going to rely on a sign to protect you; shouldn't it read: Owner will defends by whatever means necessary this house and contents? Or, Large attack dog on premises? Either way, I think if you can convince a would-be burglar that robbing your house would be a risky proposition at best, you stand a better chance.
A burglar is looking for the easy score. They are not looking to have to do anything other than get in and get out with your valuables; whatever they might be. Mark my words; a burglar will always pick the easiest home to rob.
I agree that having a good alarm system helps. I just don't believe in holding school for the burglar looking to rob you.
I'm sorry if this sounds like I am saying "let the neighbors get themselves robbed; I will protect my home. I wish this on nobody; least of all in my neighborhood, but if we are going to address this issue, let us start by having clear, concise laws and then the homeowners be responsible for their actions.

I dunno about you guys but i would think that the V-Tech shootings should be enough reason to introduce strict gun control laws.

I'm not saying that the right to carry arms should be abolished (i do believe it should but let's be realistic). However i do not see why it shouldn't be made really difficult to get one.

The fact is that if you are a law abiding mentally stable citizen, there should be no reason you cannot get a gun. Fine so it may take a week or two.. So what? It's not like ur keeping the hordes from invading your home.

Anyhow i do not see why it should not be made mandatory that ALL gun purchasers have their background checked down to the tiniest detail.

I mean your constitution DOES allow for driving tests ( it could be argued that it is a restriction of movement that a person needs governmental approval before he can drive a car). Now if you can take away the right to free movement, if you can take away the right to injest certain drinks, if you can take away the RIGHT TO VOTE in a presidential election... why then can you not take away the right to carry a weapon from those deemed unfit?

The gun lobby will freak because their sale volume is directly proportional to the amount of weaponry accessible to criminals. If there's wasn't a paranoia in the population about getting robbed,raped and killed, people wouldn't really have as many reasons to buy guns. Think about it.. If you could be sure that a criminal couldn't get a gun that easily... well then would you feel as much of a need to own a gun?

As a danish citizen i can tell you that it is the absence of guns among criminal elements that makes gun ownership a rarity. sure the government has harsh legislation regarding it, but the average dane does not feel the need for a gun. Americans on the other hand DO feel the need, because it is VERY likely that a person committing a crime is also armed.

Unfortunately a lot of legislation and procedures that would make it harder for a person with ulterior motives to get a gun are lambasted as usurping the rights of the law-abiding citizen.

Think about it dude. If you are a law abiding citizen it is likely that your weapon need is not so urgent that you cannot wait a few weeks to get it, NOR is your history suspicious enough to disqualify you from gun ownership.

FIne so you guys don't want to give up the right to bear arms. But at least be more picky about who has that right. If a felon can't vote in a presidential election, he should not be allowed to own a gun. Unfortunately it seems it is easier for him to get a gun than it is to vote.... and THAT is a twisting of priorities.

It is illegal for a felon to own a gun. If he tried to buy it legally,he would (or should) be turned down. But if he buys it from a private individual or steals one or black markets one there is no way to stop it. But if he is caught with that gun as a felon, he should go straight to jail,do not pass go do not collect $200.

I agree with both of you. I realize that makes my position middle- ground, but so be it. I don't believe in banning guns. I am all for strict regulation on which sorts a private citizen may purchase. I am all for background checks for purchasers as well as gun dealers.

as long as i am AWAKE (not comatoise etc) i can protect my gun and myself........ one lock one gun one gun one lock myself Patch lucca Remington co founder NRA