Do you agree with the new Texas Castle law??

[mark]

Here is part of it.....

A business owner who lives at his West Dallas welding shop killed two men in three weeks as they tried to break in.

Another example:

A 79-year-old homeowner in east Oak Cliff, awakened by his dog, struggled with an intruder before grabbing a shotgun and wounding the man.

One more:

A retired Army warrant officer managed to kill a gun-wielding robber at a Far East Dallas dry cleaners after his wife surprised the intruder and handed her husband their own 9 mm handgun.

Full story below:

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/012008dnmetfightingback.6a8cbd.html

Folks, I'd say the burglaries in Texas will slow down now. Folks down there has said "enough is enough" & are telling the criminals & punks that if you break into my house to steal things, you are possibly facing an early death.

So......Do you agree with this new law......or not??.........see ya mark

[cujo]

Texas justice!! Gotta love it!

[kdown]

Maybe it should be a Federal law

In 1995, the Texas Legislature created an exception to a 1973 statute, which required a person to retreat in the face of a criminal attack. The exception allowed a person to use force without retreat when an intruder unlawfully entered their home. Senate Bill 378 extends a person’s right to stand their ground beyond the home to vehicles and workplaces, allowing the reasonable use of deadly force when an intruder is:

Committing certain violent crimes, such as murder or sexual assault, or is attempting to commit such crimes;
Unlawfully trying to enter a protected place; or
Unlawfully trying to remove a person from a protected place.
The law also provides civil immunity for a person who lawfully uses deadly force in the above circumstances. The use of deadly force is not lawful when it is used to provoke or if a crime other than a Class C misdemeanor is committed by the victim.

[landlord]

I am not a gun owner, but if anyone broke into my home, business etc, they should be prepared to face whatever is thrown at them. I have lost faith in our justice system with just slaps on the wrist. They have to see someone killed before they will make any kind of firm ruling. That is reactive, we need to be proactive and deter these kinds of crime. The constitution says we have that right so until that is changed, criminals be prepared to meet your maker.

[glee]

As of I believe June of last year Ky. law went into effect . Called Castle doctrine Law.

[ponto]

A lot of these home thefts seem to be drug related. When the crime is committed and if and when the perp is caught, the money and objects stolen were destined to be used to acquire illegal drugs according to the thief's statements.

A pro-active community that is properly trained and motivated can put an end to these types of crimes.

We will never have enough sworn officers to be everywhere all the time due to funding. The citizens of the Maysville/Mason County need several strong, well trained observe and report citizens groups using all the tools available to stop these small crimes.

There was a great article about Chris Neal and his work with the neighborhood watch. (http://www.maysville-online.com/articles/2008/02/23/local_news/1583neighborhoodwatch.txt)

[Maxwells]

I'm all for it. They were protecting themselves in a time of fear for their own lives...If your going to be a theif you should be prepared to face the consquences, be it in the judicial system...or at the site of the crime.....and I know the last thing on a druggie's mind is that....he just needs his fix...well to bad.

[farmgirl]

Shoot 'em. I'm all for laws like that. I've had police tell me (when we had an attempted break-in a few years ago) I have the right to shoot them or use whatever method I suggested at the time...I believe it had something to do with running electric to the storm window...LOL.

[Huey]

As my dad said a long time ago- if they come in my house, they better be prepared to be carried out-
Also- I've always heard that if they are trying to break in, you better make darn sure they fall inside your house. Does anyone know if that is legit?

[Chuck]

Your question really depends on your state. Ohio and Kentucky differ greatly on this topic. Generally the answers you get here are assumed you live in Ky. We do have many visitors here from Ohio and other states. The question you ask has no simple yes or no answer.

It really dosn't matter if they fall inside or outside your home. It matters what the person you shot was doing.

[kreed2000]

I also agree we as citizens have a right to protect our property and lives. Also it saves the courts and taxpayers time and money.

[Brian K Beckett]

Your question really depends on your state. Ohio and Kentucky differ greatly on this topic. Generally the answers you get here are assumed you live in Ky. We do have many visitors here from Ohio and other states. The question you ask has no simple yes or no answer.

It really dosn't matter if they fall inside or outside your home. It matters what the person you shot was doing.


Very true. Ohio does not really give a person the right to protect thenselves or their home.

The way I see it is if its them or me then the cornor can come and remove em.

[tkcomer]

The Castle law is a step in the right direction, but it basically gets the government off your back if you shoot someone in a "confrontation". Doesn't really do anything for the civil suits that can bankrupt you if the "threat" or their family decides to sue. Even if the ruling is found in your favor. That's an issue that needs to be addressed. Can't sue if shot in the commission of a crime. But one of the main thing that bothers me is, if I see someone stealing my stuff, and they are no threat to me, dial 911 and hope they get here on time. That should not be. I should be able to open fire without confronting them. A sneak attack so to speak. That would really up the ante on crime. It's the way it used to be. I bet a lot of criminals might rethink their career choice if they thought a bullet might come from nowhere instead of, "If I get caught, I''ll just spend a few months in jail".

[kyreader]

I think that we should be able to protect our home and property. I personaly will not give a warning or identify myself before I shoot if I find someone in my home. If you give a warning then you are risking the chance of being killed or injured. I have a family to protect and that is what I will do. I think that when considering a castle law the right to bear arms should be considered. I think that is one of the many reasons this is a constitutiional right. I belive that the number one way to lower crime is to dispose of criminals. This may sound harsh but it is true. There are to many repeat criminals in our system today. As many as 70 percent of criminals that are released from prison will end up back in prison. Many of the reapeat offenders commit violent crimes for the second time. This causes unnecessary pain suffering and even death to innocent people that could have been avoided.