Calling 911 doesn't always work. (NWS)

[akiratubo]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkS8mdbml0A
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Like my comment says, I used to be anti-gun until something like this happened to someone I know.

No porn, but not work safe.

[ghouck]

I love how the dispatcher says "It's only been 2 minutes", almost 5 minutes into the call.

As far as I'm concerned, if a person violates a restraining order, they should be locked up for at least a year.
Also, I went to a Concealed Weapon class a few years ago, and I was AMAZED at how much mis-information there is out there regarding what is a righteous shoot and what is not, mis-information on both sides. Where I grew up (central Ohio), we had a hillbilly family that SWORE that you could blast someone just for stepping in your yard. Weird. Also, the whole "Make sure they're inside" is BS, also, I had one guy working for me that went by that crap and ended up with a few dozen years in prison. Alaska's laws are modeled after what has become kinda the mainstream of the laws: You can only use deadly force as a last resort, and only in defense of grave bodily harm, and the same by proxy (defense of someone else). The law also allows for some previsions like you can use deadly force to prevent arson, because you have the right to assume there are people occupying the building if that is reasonable. Basically, you need to convince a jury that you saw no alternative (Part of this is convincing them you were scared, which helps explain away any alternative they DO find, since juries often are 'Tuesday morning quarterbacks', the lawyer that spoke at the class I was it said to make sure you crap your pants, it goes a long way to convince a jury you were scared.). You can not use deadly force in defense of property, unless that property is a means of life support (Which can be say, a snowmachine if you are in the middle of nowhere and have a reasonable concern for your life and limb by not having it to transport you to safety). I know some states allow for you to use deadly force to defend your property, but those are in the minority. (Those states also have rabid packs of lawyers dedicated to suing people who use deadly force.)
The worst part, is even if the woman in the video was RIGHT, she's still open to a civil lawsuit, which would at BEST cost her a bunch in lawyer's fees. She 'could' end up paying for her attacker's kid's college, wouldn't be the first.

Wouldn't it be easier if we just all learned to get along?

[ulthar]

You can only use deadly force as a last resort, and only in defense of grave bodily harm, and the same by proxy (defense of someone else).

I know you hinted to other states with different views later in your post, but I wanted to mention that here (South Carolina), our own Attorney General "Declared War" on Home Invaders a few years ago.  He said in no uncertain terms that a person would NOT be charged for killing ANYONE who enters their home unlawfully.

I guess the premise is that the very act of entering someone's home is a threat sufficient enough for a reasonable person to assume 'grave bodily harm' is eminent....as it should be.

Perhaps one of the greatest myths of our culture is that the Police are NOT responsible for individual safety.  They are Law Enforcement Officers...their job is to investigate crimes and arrest bad guys AFTER THE FACT.

It would be an illegal arrest to hook someone up BEFORE they committed a crime...again, as it should be.  But this creates a fundamental dilemma for people who choose to believe Police can protect them...the cops can only do something AFTER you've been attacked...and possible killed.

Sure, restraining orders and such are an attempt to create a crime loophole of sorts to allow cops to arrest people just for being "too close."  And I think we all know how well those work to protect victims from an offender with real, violent intent.

Bottom Line: You are responsible for your life and safety.  Depending on the cops to 'take care' of you is doomed to ultimate failure.

[ghouck]

I know you hinted to other states with different views later in your post, but I wanted to mention that here (South Carolina), our own Attorney General "Declared War" on Home Invaders a few years ago.  He said in no uncertain terms that a person would NOT be charged for killing ANYONE who enters their home unlawfully.

That's cool, it's a good idea, as effective of a deterrent as anything else. One of the fears lawmakers have (and rightly so to some degree) is that the law will be used for bad (an easy way to kill one's spouse and get away with it). I think that's a bit far-fetched, but it is a concern of theirs when pondering such a law. Hopefully YOUR state will glean enough data (hopefully positive data) that others can make similar laws.

Be a great way to get rid of those Jehovah's Witnesses though. "Sure, I'd LOVE to hear what you have to say, , please come inside. . ."

[Rev. Powell]

the lawyer that spoke at the class I was at said to make sure you crap your pants, it goes a long way to convince a jury you were scared.).

I'll have to remember that.  Good advice, whether you're talking self-defense or routine contract negotiations.   

[Raffine]

the lawyer that spoke at the class I was at said to make sure you crap your pants, it goes a long way to convince a jury you were scared.).

I'll have to remember that.  Good advice, whether you're talking self-defense or routine contract negotiations.   

Steve Martin said this was a good way to discourage someone who is attempting to hold you up. Crap on yourself (and your money) and they will tell you to 'just forget it'.

[ghouck]

the lawyer that spoke at the class I was at said to make sure you crap your pants, it goes a long way to convince a jury you were scared.).

I'll have to remember that.  Good advice, whether you're talking self-defense or routine contract negotiations.   

Almost any situation:

Get pulled over for speeding=crap your pants.

Boss chewing you out for messing up a project=crap your pants.

Wife asks you to take out the trash=crap your pants.

Girlfriend suggests she should move in with you=crap your pants.

Paperboy hits you up for this weeks payment=crap your pants.

A stripper protests 'inappropriate touching' during a lapdance=crap your pants.

Guy in a bar starts a fight with you=crap your pants.

Standing at the altar re-thinking your marrige that is to begin in mere minutes=crap your pants.

Wife drags you to some boring movie=crap your pants.

Attending parent-teacher conferences and the teacher starts talking about how your kid should be held back a grade=crap your pants.

Airport security 'randomly' selects you for 'additional screening'=crap your pants.

Nasty bar-slut starts hanging on you=crap your pants.

Wife starts talking about wanting children=crap your pants.

Neighbor's dog bites you=crap your pants.

The possibilities are ENDLESS.

[BTM]

It's funny, my brother in law (sister's husband) is pretty much a "good ol' boy" in many ways (not stupid mind, just very down to earth, straight forward guy) once gave me advice on how he'd deal with a home invasion.  He said he'd shoot the guy, then fire a shot into the wall.  When the police arrive he'd say, "Well, I fired a warning shot, and he kept coming anyway, so, I had no choice!"

Course, he lives in Missouri, so that would probably be work.

On another note, we once had this discussion in high school and my psychology teacher, a self described liberal was talking about how in the Roman days they had a tons of rules you had to follow before you resorted in killing someone just because they invaded your house.  He said, "The laws back then preferred people, over property."  Then he went on about parents accidentally shooting their kids and stuff like that...

GOD is that naive or what?  I wanted to say, "How do you know he's after your property?  Maybe he wants to rape your wife, or even rape you!" but I didn't.

I don't have a family, but to me, if someone breaks into MY house, it's MY job as the man to defend my family, cause I don't know what an intruder is after.  They might just be after money, but they might be high on drugs or God only knows what else.

[BTM]

The worst part, is even if the woman in the video was RIGHT, she's still open to a civil lawsuit, which would at BEST cost her a bunch in lawyer's fees. She 'could' end up paying for her attacker's kid's college, wouldn't be the first.

And some people on this board wonder why I don't care much for lawyers...

[Mr. DS]

Bottom Line: You are responsible for your life and safety.  Depending on the cops to 'take care' of you is doomed to ultimate failure.

I don't have a family, but to me, if someone breaks into MY house, it's MY job as the man to defend my family, cause I don't know what an intruder is after.  They might just be after money, but they might be high on drugs or God only knows what else.

Amen brothers.  Around my town a call to the cops will usually translate to a 45 minute to an hour hang over period.    I wish I was exaggerating but this happened recently. A friend of my wife's had call into them and it took that long.   Cops in my town aren't that busy, believe me. 

I'm all for lethal force on intruders and feel its disgusting there are laws that prevent you from doing so in certain areas.  Who has time to find out if the person intends on killing you or wait for the cops.  Shoot, ask no questions later on these bastards.