Roughly 12/23/03 12:54, snipped-for-privacy@columbus.rr.com's m> My point wasn't to advocate to shoot, but would be a deterrent to criminals
Some states are a bit more generous in allowing people to defend themselves, family, and property from lowlifes. Most of the old time western states [excluding Kalifornia] are fairly liberal in allowing the use of deadly force with discretion when someone is on your property [rentals included] after dark or when they may be presumed to be armed or even just physically larger. One is expected to use appropriate discretion, but if someone has already broken into your vehicle or is obviously attempting to do so, their safety and continued existence isn't as high on your list of alternatives as protecting your property is. This may be why there is such a low theft rate in rural western areas. Something about the highly unique sound of a Winchester Model 12 pump shotgun charging the chamber tends to readjust some perp priorities in a hurry. The ability of said pump to create highly impressive displays of gunpowder flame from the end of the barrel also tends to be a deterrent.