> > Around here, such a crime would be very risky. Burglers tend to get shot.
> > Howard
>
> Using my natural talent for picking up on an entirely redundant part of the message and expanding it way out of proportion, I wanted to comment on this little note. Did any American Rinkies (or Australian, New Zealandish or whatever) hear about the case of a farmer here in Britain a few years ago who shot a burglar? The burglar in question was an unarmed teenager, shot in the back with a shotgun (to the best of my knowledge, which is pretty rusty on important things). If my memory serves me correctly (which, again, is pretty unlikely) the farmer is now in prison doing a life sentence. This highlights an interesting difference in legal procedures between Britain and the States - here, you're only allowed to go one step above an attacker. In other words, if a burglar attacked you with an iron bar, you could defend yourself with a knife, but probably not a shotgun, and if he was unarmed you probably wouldn't be allowed to knife him. This means that a lot less burglars die, but on the other hand it could be seen to be difficult to defend yourself. There was a case when a criminal robbed a gun shop (rather stupidly, I would have thought) and the proprietor shot him in the shoulder. The bullet bounced downwards off his collar-bone and killed him. The proprietor wasn't arrested, but that was controversial. Even the police don't shoot unless they absolutely have to, and if you are a cop, you have to obtain permission before firing on a suspect. So maybe it's not just a legal difference, but a difference in gun laws that we're looking at. Any thoughts from people on this?
>
> Phil-"Whew, that's one heck of a long post for me...what was I talking about again?"-bee

Tony Martin (the farmer in question) made parole just recently. The was much cheering in the red-top tabloids that he got off lightly. Don't really know why.

Under British law, you can use "all neccessary force" to defend yourself. But you cannot go one step beyond neccessary force. In addition, Tony Martin was arrested not only for Grievious Bodily Harm, but also for possesion of an unlicenced firearm, unlawfully discharging a firearm and several other gun-related charges.

The majority of police don't carry guns, but Armed Police can decide to shoot without need to get a signeture from a superior officer. On the other hand, they need to be very sure that they've made the right descision: every few years there's a news story about police officers shooting someone who appeared to be a threat but turned out not to be.

winter"Any other questions?"mute