Keith Devens .com

Yes! People who shoot and kill burglars should be let out of prison after 3 years! I mean come on, it's only a human life after all, and a burglar? I mean they count for half a human really, so it's not like killing at all!

Well, if someone breaks into your home illegally and puts your family in danger, and you kill him in self defense, I don't think you should go to jail at all! That's the point. Britain seems to punish its citizens when they defend themselves. Britain doesn't let honest citizens own guns (and the crime rate appears to be skyrocketing as a result), and in this case, they keep someone in jail because he's a "threat to burglars"!

Things the guy could have done apart from shooting the burglar in the back
1)Called the police
2)Fired a warning shot
3)Told the guy to leave or he'd shoot (it's not like he's at risk, the vast majority of British criminals don't have guns remember)
Also he was allowed to own a gun. He was a farmer, it was a shotgun. They are allowed so they can shoot foxes and so on.

And it's not like he was jailed for murder, and it's not like he was jailed for a long time. Okay so not releasing him early because he's a "threat to burglars " is ridculous, but letting someone off for killing after 3 years in jail seems a bit ridculous. Aren't most people with a more conservative view point generally in favour of longer jail sentances?

Do you know the exact circumstances of the farmer killing the burglar? Do you know that the burglars was unarmed, or that the farmer didn't give the burglars fair warning? I'm not asking sarcastically, I'm being serious. I don't know the specifics, so I'm not going to debate the farmer's actions one way or the other until I know more.

Killing is justified in self defense, but not otherwise. If the burglars were not a threat to him when he shot them (to give an extreme example: for instance, if they had submitted to the farmer and were tied up waiting for the police to come), then surely the farmer is guilty of murder. If they were a threat to him when he shot them then he isn't. Anyway, if you know the specifics, let me know. I kept my argument above (in the second comment) general specifically because I didn't know the specifics in this case.

And it's not like he was jailed for murder, and it's not like he was jailed for a long time.

Well, assuming he acted in self defense, any jail time is unacceptable, because what he did wasn't wrong.

Okay so not releasing him early because he's a "threat to burglars " is ridculous

Ok, glad we agree there

but letting someone off for killing after 3 years in jail seems a bit ridculous

Well, if he didn't do anything wrong, then he shouldn't have been in jail in the first place. So even three years is too much.

Aren't most people with a more conservative view point generally in favour of longer jail sentances?

I can't speak for "conservatives" in general, but parts of my viewpoint are as follows. For things like murder (not manslaughter, mind you), I'm not for longer jail sentences, I'm for no jail sentences I think murder is a crime worthy of death. Same with rape.

I think treating humans like animals and locking them in a cage for their entire lives is actually unjust, both to the criminals and to the taxpayers who have to pay to keep them alive.

Don't ask me about appropriate sentences for drug dealers or other social crimes. That's a different topic

Can all you so called intelligent do-gooders not see the
seriousness of the act of burglary?

Can you not feel the helplessness and fright of the victims?

The intruder must have no rights the moment he violates
anyone's basic right to a peaceful existence.

His intentions must be seen as a threat to the victims life
without doubt.His death (if so be) should be treated as
suicide and any injuries incurred as self inflicted.

If arrested, it should always be remembered that he had probably
got away with umteem other offences and locked up for 2 years
minimun with no parole, and for every time he re-offends and is
caught, his sentence doubled.

How's that for detterence?

But does anyone out there has the guts.

I'm in Florida in the US. We have gun ownership. I have a shot gun. If someone breaks in: Well, I figure that the sound of the shot gun racking is all the fair warning they need and if they don't leave, and in a hurry, then he's dangerous. Period.

It's like bullys. If a normal citizen is not allowed self defense, then the crimes will become more and more outrageous. Take that poor stroke victum who was severely beaten just this week. He can't defend himself and the cops won't. Now he has those thugs hanging out around his house threatening him and is family. An armed society is a polite society.