You people calling this man guilty of murder without a just trial is the furthest thing
from what an American is...

The same crowd passes judgement while telling his fellow man not to...

GET A GRIP

Well, I can at least understand where the OP was coming from.

There is, a significant portion of the gun owners in America, believes in shoot first and ask questions later.

I am pro-gun and anti-gun control. This is apparent through out many of my previous participation in gun control discussions. But from my older postings, you can also discover that I had some what of an odd argument in one thread where an 80 year old man shot and killed 1 of 2 thieves robbing his trailer.

From that thread alone, it is very apparent that many many many many many gun owners, specifically those who reside in the Southern states, would prefer to shoot first then ask questions later.

In my personal opinion, firearms should only be used when you or your family members are in an immediate life threatening situation.

Let me repeat that.

Firearms should only be used, when the lives of you or your family members are under immediate threat.

However, a lot of gun owners don't feel this way. This is evident from many many home defense related threads on ATS.

I also believe that there is a difference in gun-ownership and operation laws varying between states, so you really have so many different mentalities on this subject.

For instance, I was schooled on another thread, by some Southern state resident, I can't remember if it was Texas or whatnot. Basically, it is legal and perfectly ok to shoot anyone, who trespasses their property.

Meaning, if some body starts walking on your lawn by mistake, you have every right to take your gun and shoot them dead.

I don't know if any gun owners who currently resides in the South can verify this for us but if this is even remotely true, then this is a real concern.

I mean, if your motto is shoot first ask questions later, then I believe you shouldn't be allowed to own guns. Then again, that would mean we would need to probably disarm the entire Southern states population...

Originally posted by truthseeker84
Well, I can at least understand where the OP was coming from.

There is, a significant portion of the gun owners in America, believes in shoot first and ask questions later.

I am pro-gun and anti-gun control. This is apparent through out many of my previous participation in gun control discussions. But from my older postings, you can also discover that I had some what of an odd argument in one thread where an 80 year old man shot and killed 1 of 2 thieves robbing his trailer.

From that thread alone, it is very apparent that many many many many many gun owners, specifically those who reside in the Southern states, would prefer to shoot first then ask questions later.

In my personal opinion, firearms should only be used when you or your family members are in an immediate life threatening situation.

Let me repeat that.

Firearms should only be used, when the lives of you or your family members are under immediate threat.

However, a lot of gun owners don't feel this way. This is evident from many many home defense related threads on ATS.

I also believe that there is a difference in gun-ownership and operation laws varying between states, so you really have so many different mentalities on this subject.

For instance, I was schooled on another thread, by some Southern state resident, I can't remember if it was Texas or whatnot. Basically, it is legal and perfectly ok to shoot anyone, who trespasses their property.

Meaning, if some body starts walking on your lawn by mistake, you have every right to take your gun and shoot them dead.

I don't know if any gun owners who currently resides in the South can verify this for us but if this is even remotely true, then this is a real concern.

I mean, if your motto is shoot first ask questions later, then I believe you shouldn't be allowed to own guns. Then again, that would mean we would need to probably disarm the entire Southern states population...

The problem is, if you wake up in the middle of the night to find that people have broken into your home, you don't have the luxury of trying to decide their intentions, RE your personal life and wellbeing.

The roads where I live are really confusing, even GPS systems get screwy around here. In the seven years I've lived at my current address, I've had at least a score of people stop and ask directions. I'm the first house on a half mile road that ends in a cul de sac. My yard is well kept (usually) and shows the signs of a young family. Most of the time I catch them in the driveway, but there have been a others where they made it to the door to knock and ask how to get somewhere, or back to a main road.

The first couple of times it kinda freaked me out, but then I remembered one time as a teen,some friends and I got lost in this area and didn't hit a landmark we knew until we were in a town we'd heard of a county (and state no less) over from where we started. It's happened a couple of times early in the morning, at dusk, and even at night. I always armed myself before investigating the car in the yard or the knock on the door in the early morning, dusk, and night occurrences, and sometimes during the day. Even though this has become fairly routine (once every other month or so on average), I still feel that I'd rather be the one giving the "surprise" than receiving it. Never once have I brandished my pistol even though i had a round in the chamber, never needed to. I doubt that the people I helped find their way even knew I was armed.

I did however get tired of a weekly door to door salesperson(steaks from a cooler on the back of a pickup) stopping by while I was asleep when I worked a late shift. I haven't seen him since the time I racked my 12 guage just before opening the door and telling him I'm not interested. Still didn't have to show him the weapon I believe the sound was enough to scare him off.

Without further digressing, I look at it like this. I'm not going to shoot the neighbors thuggish teen, the local meth head, or ne'er do wells from a couple of roads over if I see them running off with my weed eater. However, if you are attempting to enter my home without my consent you should fully expect to leave with more holes in your body than you entered with.

As far as the OP source, sounds to me like it could be a horrible mistake, a case of dementia, or maybe more to the story than what's in the source. The legal process will decide I'm sure and don't really have an opinion on it.

Originally posted by NavyDoc

Originally posted by truthseeker84
Well, I can at least understand where the OP was coming from.

There is, a significant portion of the gun owners in America, believes in shoot first and ask questions later.

I am pro-gun and anti-gun control. This is apparent through out many of my previous participation in gun control discussions. But from my older postings, you can also discover that I had some what of an odd argument in one thread where an 80 year old man shot and killed 1 of 2 thieves robbing his trailer.

From that thread alone, it is very apparent that many many many many many gun owners, specifically those who reside in the Southern states, would prefer to shoot first then ask questions later.

In my personal opinion, firearms should only be used when you or your family members are in an immediate life threatening situation.

Let me repeat that.

Firearms should only be used, when the lives of you or your family members are under immediate threat.

However, a lot of gun owners don't feel this way. This is evident from many many home defense related threads on ATS.

I also believe that there is a difference in gun-ownership and operation laws varying between states, so you really have so many different mentalities on this subject.

For instance, I was schooled on another thread, by some Southern state resident, I can't remember if it was Texas or whatnot. Basically, it is legal and perfectly ok to shoot anyone, who trespasses their property.

Meaning, if some body starts walking on your lawn by mistake, you have every right to take your gun and shoot them dead.

I don't know if any gun owners who currently resides in the South can verify this for us but if this is even remotely true, then this is a real concern.

I mean, if your motto is shoot first ask questions later, then I believe you shouldn't be allowed to own guns. Then again, that would mean we would need to probably disarm the entire Southern states population...

The problem is, if you wake up in the middle of the night to find that people have broken into your home, you don't have the luxury of trying to decide their intentions, RE your personal life and wellbeing.

Well, I disagree.

For me, if I am awoken in the middle of the night, groggy and don't know what the hell is happening, more reason for me to wake the # up real quick and figure this thing out before I start unloading bullets.

Would you feel good if you take down a 13 year old boy who's looking for a quick buck? How would you feel when you watch him drown in his own blood? Would you feel indifferent because he invaded your property first?

Hell, by all means, you have every right to scream on top of your lungs "I HAVE A GUN AND I'M NOT AFRAID TO USE IT!" Then, you can wait for a brief second before you decide on what you should do.

If the thieves/robbers don't leave, shoot a warning shot to the floor or to the wall. If they still don't leave by then, put them down but try to make sure that they are facing you and coming towards you. Don't ever shoot them in the back when they are not facing you or approaching you.

If the robbers tries to get out of your house, you let them. You are not Judge Dredd, you are not the Judge/Jury/Executioner. You don't get to shoot people dead because you're afraid. You need to determine, to the point that is beyond any reasonable doubt, that this person who is invading your property has the intent, the capability and also in process of attempting to kill you and/or your family members.

If the thieves, robbers tries to get out of your house and you chase them out and shoot them dead, then in my opinion you should go to jail for First Degree Murder.

There should be no arguments with this, so I'm really perplexed as to why this is varying from State to State.

If the person committing the crime is fleeing, you know for a fact that they are no longer a threat to you, then you proceed to chase them down and unload a couple of your .45 ACP hollow point or buck shots... well that's Premeditated Murder. Because you are fully aware of what your doing, you planned for that to happen. The thief could have gotten away if you didn't chase them down and take their lives.

Just my own 2 cents worth..

Originally posted by xedocodex
This is just one more unfortunate case of America's gun culture.

Wrong again. This is one incident, one guy. You don't know the whole story, either, and you can bet the news isn't giving it to you.

This is not an example of "America's gun culture", it is an example of one old bastard using really poor judgment.

Once again, the anti-gun nuts love to pounce on the occasional story and blow it way out of proportion.