From Yahoo7 News, Tue Mar 27 2007
TEXAS SIGNS NEW SELF-DEFENSE BY GUN LAW
By Ed Stoddard
DALLAS (Reuters) - Criminals in Texas beware: if you threaten someone in their car or office, the citizens of this state where guns are ubiquitous have the right to shoot you dead.
Governor Rick Perry's office said on Tuesday that he had signed a new law that expands Texans' existing right to use deadly force to defend themselves "without retreat" in their homes, cars and workplaces.
"The right to defend oneself from an imminent act of harm should not only be clearly defined in Texas law, but is intuitive to human nature," Perry said on his Web site.
The new law, which takes affect on September 1, extends an exception to a statute that required a person to retreat in the face of a criminal attack. The exception was in the case of an intruder unlawfully entering a person's home.
The law extends a person's right to stand their ground beyond the home to vehicles and workplaces, allowing the reasonable use of deadly force, the governor's office said.
The reasonable use of lethal force will be allowed if 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
- Unlawfully trying to remove a person from a protected place.
The law also provides civil immunity for a person who lawfully slays an intruder or attacker in such situations.
Texas joins several other states including Florida that have or are considering similar laws.
Sympathy for violent offenders and criminals in general runs low in Texas, underscored by its busy death row. The state leads the United States in executions with 388 since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976 by the U.S Supreme Court.
A conservative political outlook and widespread fondness for hunting also means Texans are a well-armed people capable of defending themselves with deadly force.
It is easy to acquire guns over the counter in Texas and lawful to carry a concealed handgun with a permit.
Problem is the criminals have to get bigger guns and before you know it :bigun2:On surface looks harsh and there is danger for abuse, but also has some merit.
On surface looks harsh and there is danger for abuse, but also has some merit.
Its a gun toting nation for sure. Guns are for hunting, fair enough. In Canada and Australia, you don't need to carry a gun....why? Because it is illiegal for anyone to carry a gun, other than a hunter.
Gun control works.
Cheers,
Two people with guns now, one intent on defending themselves, the other with an itchy trigger finger. All of a sudden its shoot or be shot.So why so many guns are used in armed holdups?
And poor whoevers are just sitting ducks at somebody's mercy?
With gun on their lap, at least they would have a fighting chance.
So why so many guns are used in armed holdups?
And poor whoevers are just sitting ducks at somebody's mercy?
With gun on their lap, at least they would have a fighting chance.
So why so many guns are used in armed holdups?
And poor whoevers are just sitting ducks at somebody's mercy?
With gun on their lap, at least they would have a fighting chance.
Two people with guns now, one intent on defending themselves, the other with an itchy trigger finger. All of a sudden its shoot or be shot.
Now jump over to an armed hold up in Australia. Guy gets money, doesn't need to shoot any body. Insurance company covers the loss and the thief is arrested in due course. Everyone is still alive.
Great logic!
Personally think these laws are barbaric and a step backwards for any peaceful society!
Missus spent quite a bit of time in Switzerland where (this may be apocryphal, I don't know) every male is a member of the Swiss army reserve and has a rifle in the house.Several years ago 60 minutes did an interview with a county in the US where it was illegal to NOT own a firearm. Only people with a criminal record or for psychiatric reasons were excused. They hadn't had a murder in over 25 years, hadn't had a hold up for over 10 and there had been not break and enters for several years. Why - because all the criminals knew that if they did something in that county that not only were the people armed but they knew how to use the firearm and were willing to do so. The whole county was run by 1 sheriff and 1 deputy because it had virtually a non existant crime rate. The interviewer talked to a few crims in a nearby prison and asked why the crime rate in that county was so low and they all said they were scared sh!tless of going there.
Not saying either way is right - but it makes you wonder!
malachii
From ABC, March 29, 2007
MAN ESCAPES ATTACKERS AFTER BEING SHOT IN BACK
A man has saved himself by driving away from gunmen who had shot him in the back at Greenacre in Sydney's south-west this morning.
Just before 1:00am, the victim was driving along Sir Joseph Banks Street when he was stopped by a man crossing the road.
A short time later, a white sedan carrying two men pulled up, there was a fight and the men attempted to steal his car.
As he attempted to drive away, a shot was fired through the rear windscreen hitting him in the upper left back.
Despite the injury, he managed to escape in the car and is now in a serious but stable condition in Liverpool Hospital.
Police have asked for anyone with information to come forward.
So why so many guns are used in armed holdups?
And poor whoevers are just sitting ducks at somebody's mercy?
With gun on their lap, at least they would have a fighting chance.
Cops find themselves in arms race with criminals
By Susan Candiotti
CNN
WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (CNN) -- The war on the streets is escalating. As gangs and other criminals pack more firepower, police departments say they find themselves in an arms race.
Sgt. Laurie Pfeil practices shooting a semiautomatic weapon in Palm Beach County, Florida.
The officers say they need to level the playing field to survive. And so, on a bright October day about a dozen Palm Beach County sheriff's deputies brought out their big guns at the local firing range.
Rifles crackled. Shell casings flew. Bullets sailed at 3,200 feet per second through paper targets set up a football field's length away.
The sharpshooters weren't training for a SWAT team. These were the deputies who patrol the streets and roads from the glittery Gold Coast to the swamps of the Everglades. Watch cops practice firing the big guns »
The fatal shooting in September of a Miami-Dade police officer by a man using an assault weapon put all South Florida police departments on edge. Several other officers were wounded by the gunfire.
"It's not nice we have to arm ourselves like the soldiers in Iraq," said Sgt. Laurie Pfeil, who supervises a sheriff's road patrol in Palm Beach County and is now certified to carry a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle on the job. It's the civilian version of the military's M-16 used by U.S. soldiers in Iraq.
My thoughts are the same. I used to be away from home a lot. Bought my wife a double barrel and taught her and the kids how to use a gun. Gave them the same instructios my grandmother gave me about 65 years ago. They were:I agree CCW concealed carry weapons isnt useful in Australia but dont tell me i shouldnt be able to use a firearm at home to protect my family.
Dont get me wrong i wish i could leave my front door open but unforunately thats not the case, and in my house that i pay for has basically has 1 rule when it comes to home protection (my rules). 1 junkie tried to break it last year when he got a welcoming upclose view of my 12guage, of course he **** his pants (i gave him a nice hiding) and hopefully he will learn his lesson, but if he pointed a gun at me i wouldnt hesitate to put my family 1st and do whats necessary.
I hope i never have to use my firearms for self defense as i use them for recreational purposes but at least i know if something were to happen, i have a equal fighting chance. And please dont mix us up with the U.S as they have a different culture altogether (as wayne said look at switzerland).
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