Why do we as a society execute people for killing people to show that killing is wrong? ( Archived) (90)

YouMeUs: I haven't read all the posts here but this is my stance on the matter.
If someone breaks into my home and carries a gun or other life-threatening weapon, and shows intent to use it, then it becomes a matter of my life or theirs. I will not hesitate to pull the trigger. It's called self defense and should not be considered a crime.

However, should they be unarmed, I would make it perfectly clear to them that I have a loaded gun simply by pointing it at them, but would not pull the trigger unless they decided to charge upon me after that fact. But rarely would anyone be stupid enough to do that unless they had a death wish or trashed out of their minds on drugs, booze, or both, whatever. If I were to pull the trigger in this situation, my gun would be pointed at one of their legs, preferably a knee.

Where I live there are no immediate law officials. The closest police station in any direction is roughly 30 miles away. And rarely do any state troopers cruise this area. The crime rate here is extremely low to non-existant. So if I decided to instead call 911 rather than to take matters into my own hands, I would more than likely be injured or worse, dead, by the time the law would show up.

Given that, my answer is NO, it should not be considered a crime if a homeowner kills an intruder ONLY IF those types of conditions are met. I will stress the fact that I do not wish to kill anyone, but if it comes down to it being my life or theirs, I will defend myself.

solsticemoon: hey sweetie
I've seen the movies..I'd shoot him then dismember him ...I aint riskin him comin back for the sequel!

woodzchick: I'm in the same situation. Response time here is probably at least 15 minutes...at least. You have 4 deputies that patrol 382 square miles. Everybody can do the math.
But, another thought...does anyone remember the murders that happened probably back in the 80s. It was a young man and woman that broke into this woman's home. I don't remember their names. Anyway, when they broke into the home they had no weapons. They picked up a pick axe while in the home and that is what they murdered the other 2 people with. When they found the man in the house, he still had the axe in his chest. The woman that committed the crime got the death penalty and has already been executed I think. The man that was with her got life in prison because he testified against her. So, sometimes people may break into your home with no weapon and pick something up in the house.

ladichatterlee: I think you're referring to that Carla What's-Her-Name who had become a Christian while in prison. Still, she deserved the death penalty. In the absence of extreme, provable, legally defined mental illness, I find it almost impossible to even imagine what motivates such extremely horrific acts.

mnowsa: just wondering if i just want to see how pretty u look through your window at night, will you still shoot me?

solsticemoon: Joking aside..I had that rare 'n wonderful thing a couple of months ago...a guy in my bed...he nearly wet himself when after spending an uncomfortable night trying to sleep he looked under his pillow in the morning...a claw hammer...my biggest knife and the scissors!
strange he never came back