Great News! Stab Scum That Enter Your Home!

[Scunner]

"Justice Secretary Ken Clarke has said a householder who knifes a burglar will not have committed a criminal offence under plans to clarify the law on self-defence in England."

Best news I've heard in years, I can't wait for one to call now

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13957587

[Piscoe]

Sharpening my knives as we speak. What about beating them senseless with a bat whilst stabbling them? Presumably that's still illegal?

[Scunner]

I think that would be ok but you would have to stab them first.

[Piscoe]

Right. Must remember to get my attack sequence in order.

[stoop]

Not trying to be negative here but won't it just make some burglars 'tool up' more before they break in?

[Piscoe]

So by affording legal protection to these scumbags means they are less likely to go tooled up? Don't see that somehow.

[stoop]

You miss my point. If a burgler (I agree with your scumbag description) thinks a home owner is more likely to fight back with a knife (or whatever) then what's to stop him thinking he needs to get his attack in first and what's to stop him taking in a bigger knife than you have?

Americans have a similar view on protecting ones property. I would be interested to see how many crimes involve guns, knives and killings over there.

[maximumtom]

The right to protect your home is one thing I always thought that the Americans got right.  What you have to make sure is not to waste time by asking stupid questions like " What the hell are you doing here ?" - you should know what he is doing there and act immediately and decisively.

[Piscoe]

I do get your point but I really don't think burglars have decided not to go tooled up purely for the fact that it is illegal for the householder to attack them. The threat of violence is already there surely?

[stoop]

.... but if you were a petty thief knowing that a householder might stab you then my guess is you would either not go or you would make sure you got your attack in first.