by Peter Hicks

Created on: March 04, 2008

A qualified Yes.

In the U.S. We have the largest number of people and the largest percentage of total population locked up behind bars. We have the highest rate of violent crime per ca-pita in the world and lead in additional categories like drug abuse, sexual deviance and domestic violence. The police and judicial system is overloaded and overwhelmed. In short it is not working.

In most cities and towns if you were to dial 911 and declare an emergency it will take 10 to 20 minutes for the police to respond to the scene. If they were to arrest someone he would more than likely be released on bail, cut a "deal" for reduced sentence or parole or if sent to prison given an early release due to overcrowding. We do not rehabilitate or punish criminals any more we warehouse them. In any event in a violent confrontation you would probably be dead before police arrived.

We have become a society that surrenders our rights and responsibilities and always say,"Somebody should due something about that" This "Somebody", substitute Government, should educate our kids, make sure we have a retirement, health care and above all protection. The sad fact is there are way too many of us and they really were never intended to do these jobs.

We need to go to those meetings at school and really take charge of education and demand that our schools educate. Parents need to take back the job of teaching manners, conduct and the discipline of their kids. We need to take responsibility for our financial well being, our retirement, our lives. Most of all we need to protect ourselfs and families on a personal level. Government, judical and police need to capture, deter and punish offenders. Punish in such a manner as make criminals really fear the consequences.

I am lucky, I live in a state that gives citizens the right to own and carry firearms. I have a concealed weapons permit and my wife as well. We have the right to deadly force if we feel threatened with bodily harm of ourselves or any one close to us. In the event someone were to threaten me or my family the 911 call would be after I had dealt with the assailant. Once at a traffic light late at night three men surrounded my car and one stood in front with a hand on the hood. Simply pulling my pistol and showing it made them see the error of their ways and they ran.

I do not feel a gun is the answer for everybody. Some people not familiar with them or afraid of them would be even more dangerous. However, there is pepper spray, mace, stun guns, batons, or a simple baseball bat. Get a dog that barks at strangers, an alarm system. Make yourself aware of danger and how to avoid it. Talk to your neighbors and keep an eye on each other, do not be afraid to get involved. If you see a stranger hanging around playgrounds or bus stops get some friends and confront them, most will clear out and not return. Ladies do not go jogging in the park by yourself after dark. Look around before you go to the ATM machine. Avoid dark parking lots. We all need to be able to defend ourselves for that first 10 to 20 minutes.

In conclusion I do believe we are responsible for our own safety. I have no problem shooting to kill if confronted with threats to my person or family, within the rules. It is not the individuals job to exact punishment or pass sentence, that I leave to the system. Hence my answer of a qualified yes.

One last thought about the story of the motorcycle guy following the two girls home. If he simply rode by making threats the father did not need to fire. If the assailant came on to his property or advanced towards him or his girls then the father is right to shoot and shoot to kill.

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