Mickey Z

Cool Observer

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

"I have a right to keep my house safe"

As reported in the New York Times, 15 states in the last year “have enacted laws that expand the right of self-defense, allowing crime victims to use deadly force in situations that might formerly have subjected them to prosecution for murder.” In Florida, for example, people now have the right to use such force “against intruders entering their homes.” As one Florida resident declared, “I have a right to keep my house safe.”

Wayne LaPierre, executive vice president of the National Rifle Association, agrees. He explains that if people were to “make a decision to save their lives in the split second they are being attacked, the law is on their side.” LaPierre adds: “Good people make good decisions. That’s why they’re good people. If you’re going to empower someone, empower the crime victim.” But what about bad people making bad decisions?