MP wants shooting burglars made legal

April 22, 2004

| Submit Comments | Comments (10) | Previous | Next

Homeowners would be allowed to shoot burglars under a new bill published today.

The bill drawn up by a Tory backbencher would give householders the right to use "any act" to defend themselves or their property from intruders.

It would mean actions such as those of Norfolk farmer Tony Martin - who shot dead a teenage burglar - would be legal.

But the private member's bill is highly unlikely to receive parliamentary support.

A similar bid topped a BBC Radio Four poll on the private member's bill people would most like to see become law.

Labour MP Stephen Pound had promised to champion the winning bill. But he pulled out saying it was unworkable and endorsed "the slaughter of 16-year-old kids".

Vigilante

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott also said such a bid would be denied parliamentary time as it would introduce "vigilante law".

But the MP behind the bill, Roger Gale (North Thanet), said the Government needed to address growing public concern over the imbalance in the criminal law.

"Whether we like it or not there is a clear public perception that the law has tilted too far in favour of the intruder as the victim and against the real victim, the householder," he said.

"Inevitably this must mean that the innocent have to think twice before taking any action that, while intended to protect themselves, their families or their properties, might lead them to themselves face charges in court."

He conceded the bill would be seen by some as "draconian". But he added: "I hope that those who might seek to oppose this measure will consider very carefully the weight of public opinion that will be behind it and allow it a fair wind."

| Submit Comments | Comments (10) | Previous | Next

Showing comments 1 to 10 and replies | View All

Jacqui, Manchester (22/04/2004 at 13:15)

I think that, as things stand at the moment, the burglars have more rights than the house owners if they decide to 'do' a house. If they know that they are risking their lives when doing it might act as a deterrent.

Frank, Heaton Moor (22/04/2004 at 13:54)

I'm all for shooting burglars but first they'd have to let us own guns!

ken, canada ex hulme (22/04/2004 at 14:13)

I personally do not know of anyone who could take a life, but the scales of justice seem to have swung in the direction of the of the people commiting the crime.the old saying is an english mans home is his castle. so therefor if you intrude there maybe a price to pay. if the lawyers and judges stopped treating home invations as a petty crime and started putting these criminals away for a long time then people won't have to think about takeing the law in there own hands

Dawn, Manchester (22/04/2004 at 14:28)

I don't really agree with shooting an intruder, but stabbing them seems a better option, more importantly, the intruder should NOT be allowed to sue the 'victim'

Mark Wilson, Manchester (23/04/2004 at 11:28)

I was burgled last year, and frankly if I'd gotten my hands on the little thugs that did it, I wouldn't have needed a gun to do them some serious damage - my bare hands would have been quite sufficient.

If someone enters your home illegally with the intent to damage or steal your property or otherwise do you harm, then as a homeowner you should be entitled to mete out whatever punishment you deem sufficient for the duration of the intruder's attack on your property, and with the full blessing of the law.

And when burglars are caught and convicted, on the way to prison they should be delivered - still handcuffed - for a ten-minute stopover at their victim's house, and the victims themselves handed an official police baseball bat...

Perhaps if more drugged-up, moronic criminal imbeciles thought there could actually be personal consequences to their actions, they might think twice before they act. Or is crediting them with the ability to think being a tad too generous?

steve, manchester (23/04/2004 at 15:12)

At last some MP who talks the right talk. VOTE GALE in and
Prescott out!

Paula, Royton, Oldham (23/04/2004 at 15:21)

I totally agree with being able to defend your property. People work hard to make their homes nice and save up for more expensive purchases. Sometimes, they are family heirlooms and have great sentimental value. For some little thief to enter your home and smash up, ruin & steal possesions is totally unacceptable and us homeowners should be entitled to protect it in any way possible. They talk about human rights but what about our rights. We go to work, slog our guts out and for what? Just to line the pockets of theifs?

T. Hawkins, Swinton, Gtr. Manchester (23/04/2004 at 15:30)

If I had a gun I'd shoot a burgeler. But as guns are illegal then I suppose that's out, not that I'd like to see guns legalised. I've been burgled, 3 times, and would have killed whoever broke into my house. All they are is worthless scum! They have more rights than I do and it's mad.

anon, Manchester (24/04/2004 at 01:23)

I agree and would like to see this law brought in as soon as possible.

N C, Merseyside (25/04/2004 at 23:42)

When/If someone enters your home illegally they should forfeit the right to sue. The law should be changed so that you cannot claim compensation for any injury caused during, or by, an illegal act. We can't shoot burglars, all our guns have gone, and the only people to have them now are the criminals, but, like many people I keep items in my home which have completely legitimate uses, and I leave them where I can use them in a hurry if the need arises. To leave an item ready for defence and then to use it as such, you're gonna get arrested. Tony Martin is a hero, and did what each and every one of us would do if the situation arose. If someone causes injuries to thieves/thugs and burglars they should ALWAYS elect for a jury trial, a jury is made up of the people, it doesn't matter what the judge says, a jury makes its OWN rules, and it's about time we all stood up for each other. Juries are the power we have to make politicians take note.

()

Report

News