# If you legally own a gun you can shoot an intruder: Now on to the weather. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 26, 2007, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221 "2007-07-26T13:34:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/101 "2012-01-06T01:14:00Z")
> [@Una\_Persson](#): > > I note no one on the anti-gun side wants to touch with a ten-foot pole the fact that this woman was on the phone with 911 for _21 fucking minutes_ and no cop managed to waddle their way to her property. A damn lot can happen in 5 minutes; in 21 minutes they both could have raped her, killed her and her kid, sat down to have some microwave popcorn, flossed the hulls out of their teeth, and moseyed on their way. :smack: Right, because anyone who thinks it’s kind of weird for her to be on Dr. Drew a couple days after the shooting must be anti-gun. Even though everybody has said we have no problem with the actual shooting. But maybe she’s just a little off in all respects, not just this. I just read that her husband, who died on Christmas, was nearly 60. She’s 18. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/102 "2012-01-06T01:15:58Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Considering that she pulled off what is practically the Platonic Ideal of a justified shooting, it seems perfectly reasonable to me she’d be happy about it. I guess I am just an outlier then. I don’t understand why being justified in taking a life would make anyone happy afterward. ---
**Author:** ![brocks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@brocks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brocks)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/103 "2012-01-06T01:21:34Z")
> [@brocks](#): > > But maybe she’s just a little off in all respects, not just this. I just read that her husband, who died on Christmas, was nearly 60. She’s 18. And she’d been living with him for three years. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/104 "2012-01-06T01:34:28Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > I guess I am just an outlier then. I don’t understand why being justified in taking a life would make anyone happy afterward. Supposedly some soldiers feel elated after killing the enemy. Doubtless there are a lot of different factors when it comes to an emotional reaction. I wonder if I’d feel elated at killing someone who was trying to kill me, in part, because I was simply happy to be alive. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/105 "2012-01-06T01:56:41Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] I guess I am just an outlier then. I don’t understand why being justified in taking a life would make anyone happy afterward. [/QUOTE] You really, truly can’t understand how a mother who has defended her child could feel happy? How a young teen age girl who has protected herself from a knife wielding man could feel happy? How a human being who has dodged death could feel happy? How a young girl who has gotten positive (well, mostly…she obviously hasn’t been on this board yet to find out how she should REALLY feel) feedback from people for performing those deeds, and the possible validation this has give her as a mother, a teen age girl, a woman, a person, could feel, I don’t know…happy? Glad to be alive? Like she has passed a pretty brutal test? Seriously? Well, I don’t know if you are an outlier, but you certainly have me stumped. I can’t see why it’s so hard to understand, to be honest. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/106 "2012-01-06T01:58:32Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Seriously? Well, I don’t know if you are an outlier, but you certainly have me stumped. I can’t see why it’s so hard to understand, to be honest. Seriously. I’m pretty sure I would throw up under the same circumstances. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/107 "2012-01-06T02:15:25Z")
And how long would the bout of sickness persist? Days? Weeks? Years? Would you never smile again? Myself, I’m guessing that after the crisis was past and the shakes had stopped, most people would pull themselves together and perhaps feel something other than the crushing remorse and guilt you seem to think you’d be feeling and living with for some indefinite period of time, before you could allow yourself to feel happy again. MMV, as you say… -XT ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/108 "2012-01-06T02:18:17Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > And how long would the bout of sickness persist? Days? Weeks? Years? Would you never smile again? Myself, I’m guessing that after the crisis was past and the shakes had stopped, most people would pull themselves together and perhaps feel something other than the crushing remorse and guilt you seem to think you’d be feeling and living with for some indefinite period of time, before you could allow yourself to feel happy again. MMV, as you say… > > -XT You now think I said I would never, ever be happy again? ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/109 "2012-01-06T02:24:22Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] You now think I said I would never, ever be happy again? [/QUOTE] And that you would be sick for some indefinite time period, yes. Considering that this didn’t happen an hour and a half ago for this woman, and that you assert you’d be ‘sick’. How long would you be sick for? When would you be happy again? When is it ok for this woman to be happy again? I’m trying to figure out the time frames in play here. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/110 "2012-01-06T02:25:33Z")
Please, continue. Your delusions are fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/111 "2012-01-06T02:34:39Z")
Delusions, ehe? Well, if that makes you feel better. 😛 I assume you have already figured out where this is all going and this is your attempt to deflect the discussion to me, so I’ll just leave it there. You know, the Bible is mostly a load of horseshit IMHO, but that whole ‘judge not lest you be judged’ thingy seems appropriate at this point… -XT ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/112 "2012-01-06T02:36:34Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Delusions, ehe? Well, if that makes you feel better. 😛 I assume you have already figured out where this is all going and this is your attempt to deflect the discussion to me, so I’ll just leave it there. > > You know, the Bible is mostly a load of horseshit IMHO, but that whole ‘judge not lest you be judged’ thingy seems appropriate at this point… > > -XT Don’t leave! I made espresso! ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/113 "2012-01-06T02:38:48Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] Don’t leave! I made espresso! [/QUOTE] _sees the lure in the water…so bright, so shinny…must…resist_ Just a small bite? Naw. But I’m still here if you actually want to discuss any of this stuff. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/114 "2012-01-06T02:42:31Z")
Not really. I just didn’t know anyone could get so wound up if someone else expressed an opinion that made them uncomfortable. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/115 "2012-01-06T02:43:56Z")
Nope, I don’t feel uncomfortable in the least. Puzzled, as I said. That wasn’t rhetoric on my part…I really don’t get it, but as you said, MMV. It’s all good. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/116 "2012-01-06T03:12:11Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > This happened in Baton Rouge, LA while I was attending LSU. > > For those curious about the case, look up the student, Yoshihiro Hattori on Wikipedia. Homeowner Rodney Peairs was acquitted for the 1992 killing. For better or for worse, there was little to no outcry about the acquital among local residents. There was a definite feeling of “unfortunate, but it is as it should be”. The Hattori case was shocking. It seemed to be pretty clear to me that the killer in this case was at best an brain-addled fool. ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/117 "2012-01-06T04:21:35Z")
> [@brocks](#): > > Right, because anyone who thinks it’s kind of weird for her to be on Dr. Drew a couple days after the shooting must be anti-gun. Why are you quoting me? Your post is almost a non sequiter. You quote the part where I say I’m not seeing the anti-gun lobby wanting to address the 21 minute wait, but you’re talking about the “happy” aspect? And what did I say about this Dr. Drew, who I never even heard of except in passing? 😕 I provided two examples where a person might have positive feelings after said experience to explain how she might seem “happy.” Did I denigrate or rebut anyone who said they didn’t think she should be happy? No I didn’t. I’m sorry I didn’t say what you wish I’d said. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/118 "2012-01-06T04:44:37Z")
> [@ITR\_champion](#): > > First, property is worth less than human life, including criminal life. I disagree. The life of someone who intends violence against me and my property holds no intrinsic value _to me_. I cannot for the life of me (and I use that phrase intentionally) imagine telling some intruder “Oh, go ahead and take my stuff, your life is worth more than everything I have”. Oh fuck no. Of course, I have used a firearm (without shooting it or anyone) to disuade intruders on multiple occassions, and physical assailants on two occasions, so I have been there with the gun in my hand when idea became thought became committed intent to shoot. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/119 "2012-01-06T07:59:45Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Not really. I just didn’t know anyone could get so wound up if someone else expressed an opinion that made them uncomfortable. > > Sorry. You didn’t just express an uncomfortable opinion. You expressed an inability to understand a concept that should be pretty easy to understand. So someone tried to fight your ignorance, using both a flat out explanation, and then, when that didn’t make sense, arguing by reductio ad absurdum. You were the one who made a mistake and took it as an attack. Just because you personally would not be able to be happy by this point of time does not mean you shouldn’t be able to comprehend how someone else might be able to. It shouldn’t be that hard to think that someone else might be able to ignore the part that is bothering you so much and focus on the positives. And if you can’t process this concept, then you really shouldn’t use your ignorance to go around judging people, if for no other reason than your judgment will always be inaccurate. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221/120 "2012-01-06T14:49:48Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > You didn’t just express an uncomfortable opinion. You expressed an inability to understand a concept that should be pretty easy to understand. So someone tried to fight your ignorance, using both a flat out explanation, and then, when that didn’t make sense, arguing by reductio ad absurdum. You were the one who made a mistake and took it as an attack. > > Just because you personally would not be able to be happy by this point of time does not mean you shouldn’t be able to comprehend how someone else might be able to. It shouldn’t be that hard to think that someone else might be able to ignore the part that is bothering you so much and focus on the positives. > > And if you can’t process this concept, then you really shouldn’t use your ignorance to go around judging people, if for no other reason than your judgment will always be inaccurate. Wow. They really come out of the bushes if anybody dares to challenge their glee at killing people. You are so terrified that others might see you for what you are, that you have to come down hard on even the slightest suggestion that any hint of humanity towards taking a human life must be rubbed out. Your response says more about you than it does about me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-legally-own-a-gun-you-can-shoot-an-intruder-now-on-to-the-weather/413221.md?page=7)