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carlson1 wrote:The only problem I guess I have is I do not "have a lawyer." I wonder if it is smart to have one on retainer?

That costs a bit of money...

But it may be good to have one (lawyer) on speed dial...

Also as a comparision...

"Why did we stop hanging people for stealing horses and cattle???"

Did the cessation of that punishment deter future thievery???

And if you were caught in the act of stealing said livestock, was the owner not empowered to take appropriate action to stop those persons from completing the act???

Was that action less brutal or inhumane than hanging a person for that crime???

Of course we are more civilized these days, but when the risk of severe punishment/reaction from the "civilian" public failed to become general knowledge to the criminal community, crime certainly has not decreased...

Criminal acts have actually gotten to be more crase and personal to some degree...

And it doesn't seem to have been countered very effectively or frequently for that matter...

Unfortunately I am beginning to have a concern as to why (I actually do understand the moral and legal jeopardy in this) it is a problem for some who value their property to just allow it to be stolen...

Now before everyone thinks I have lost it, bear with me...

Deep down I do not think my personal belongings are worth a human life...And I would have to make a split second decision to either let it go and "be a good witness" or take the shot...Odds are that I'd probaly wave goodbye to my stuff...

But...

Certainly all bets are off if I receive fire during the course of a theft...Or a weapon (or the threat of one) is directed at me...

I think we all know what our thresholds are...

Even though I believe most criminals who are into this petty theft are stupid, they are not when it comes to knowing that even people who take seriously our right to protect ourselves and personal property, we do so under a bit of scrutiny, which they (criminals) understand, and acknowledge the risks to continuing their activities...

They simply believe that you're not going to shoot...Odds are that is...

And in my opinion there have not been enough incidents (like these) where there could be a "social innoculation" of the criminal community to cause hesitation in their criminal pursuits...

Now they probably see a few of these incidents reported anyway, but the ones that involve no legal action taken against someone like us who defends themselves or their property are even less reported or out in public for general consumption...

Now do we (I, more importantly) wait chomping at the bit for a chance to shoot some idiot who make a poor decision to rob, steal, accost me???

That answer is obvious...

My fear is that people will become so desensitized to actually doing something about the issue, and lose focus, and not act upon what will actually curb crime rates...

The potential threat of losing ones life in the commission of a crime needs to be ingrained in the membrane of some people...

This is just my opinion, and not meant to offend anyone...