New right to attack burglars.

[Dougan]

The reporting I've heard has been fairly inconsistent. What I gather is that the lawyers will now be arguing about the word, "proportionate," as opposed to arguing about the word, "reasonable."
I think the new wording is more dangerous than the old. Where defending yourself with something you had to hand used to be reasonable (you already had it with you) it is now not proportional to the much less armed invader (even if it is reasonable because you already had it with you).

Yes it's still very ambiguous - It'd be nice to have some clear guidance with examples of circumstances...

Can someone clear something up please...Is it lawful to have some kind of defensive weapon in your home (bat, club etc.), on the assumption that it wouldn't be used if not necessary?

The problem seems to be that having a weapon close to hand and ready for use shows some pre-meditated intent to use it. A smart barrister would possibly use this to show you were a psychotic maniac and hence attempt to weaken any claim you may be making to have acted solely in self-defence. Burglars may steal your stuff, but barristers will cheerfully steal your honour, which is why so many politicians used to be barristers, it's an excellent school in which to learn economical use of the truth and manipulation of facts, especially the inconvenient ones.

The whole thing seems illogical - Burglary is a real possibility, and to me it would seem reasonable that if you ever did have to defend yourself, then it would be best to be prepared - A burglar could well have a screwdriver or such on him, or have picked up a knife in the kitchen...so you would be stupid to confront a burglar un-prepared.....and you don't have to use force if you don't need to...

[Chuck]

Eager, Shugie clapclap clapclap clapclap clapclap Telling it as it is....

And of course the police tell you to hand it over, it's only money etc etc...AYE, YOUR MONEY, that YOU worked for!

Funny they don't say that when a bank is robbed.!

Avoid confusion, simple: "Nothing in this house is worth dying for! If you are killed committing an act of theft then tough sh1t on you and your family". It serves you right.!

[Sandgroper]

Looks like the BBC could be moving against any change in the law - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19925409

Professor Mark Hoekstra of Texas A&M University in Houston said making the use of deadly force permissible has come at a price. He studied its effect in 21 states.

"In terms of homicides, what we show…there is about an 8% increase in the homicide rate caused by these laws…that is about 600 additional homicides per year."

What they don't say is who is being killed criminals or victims of crime. :cool2: An increase in victims of crime would be worrying, but criminals...?

Another interesting comment they make early on regarding 'Stand your ground' is this -

The law expands on a centuries-old British legal principle that permits the use of deadly force in self-defence of your own home. It also grants immunity from arrest, detention and prosecution.

After the playing the video it comes up with - Play again? The ominous sound of a 12 gauge...

More like "The reassuring sound of a 12 gauge..."!

[Sim G]

More like "The reassuring sound of a 12 gauge..."!

[Chuck]

BBC always supports criminals and terrorists..remember it is run by deluded liberal gays and racists.