Friday 28 October 2005

Intruder laws

A Private Members' Bill is being introduced to Parliament, which if passed would increase the rights of homeowners to protect themselves against burglars.

Conservative Ann McIntosh's Bill would enable homeowners to protect their property until "grossly disproportionate force" was used.

I feel this Bill is a step in the right direction. However, it doesn't go far enough.

If someone enters another's property with the will to steal from or cause physical harm to the inhabitants, I believe that ANY force should be permitted against the intruder. This is even if force is "disproportionate".

Some may believe that the burglar's "rights" aren't being respected. Well, I say hard luck. The burglar himself is violating the property rights (and in some cases the right to life) of the homeowner. Rights are generally reciprocal in nature. One should respect others' rights, if they desire for their own rights to be respected.