If someone unlawfully breaks into a house and the home owner feels threathend for his life (i.e bigger lad with a knife etc) i could possibly see the use of a firearm being the just thing,1 warning shot then one in the leg.
However in Ireland the general household with kids wont hold firearms in the house or within the vicinty of it,there for a shout asking the intentions of the person would suffice to make a decision.
1. If he charges,do absolutely do everything in your power to stop the person so as to protect yourself, imo this means the closest heaviest object you are capable of swinging until the intruder is no longer a threat,whether it be a blow to the leg,arm or in the extreme,head.
.Its called self defence,he isnt charging towards you for a hug.
2.
If he runs you have two options
(i) If he looks similar or smaller in build,perhaps try to detain him,but who knows what implement he has in his pocket.
(ii)If he is bigger than you or has a weapon and is fleeing,keep close and get a good description.
It doesnt matter if the intruder is looking for drugs,money,keys or a cup of tea, you do NOT know his intentions,and whatever they may be he has NO right to enter your house unlawfully.He should be either detained for the Garda or ran out.Considering that he's facing prison,i doubt he could contain him by asking,so physically restraining him by whatever means possible should be the general concensus?
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As for killing,if you think your life is in danger you should protect it in whatever way possibile,but i would not want anyones death on my hands and mind.
Obviously the world isnt perfect and sometimes extreme measures must be taken,if sometimes even the Garda,the protectors of the free people ,must kill an assailant to protect their own lives the general public should have the same option in extreme conditions.
There would be grey areas and totally balck and white also,they should be outlined and anyone who oversteps should be dealed with harshly.
i.e Shooting a burglar in the back as he is hopping out the window or sticking a knife in his kidneys when the assailant is clearly leaving the premisies.By all means restrain if possible,but there would be no need to kill.
My 2c
Oh and Hi Som,long time to see