I'm not sure that answers my concern. I keep hearing that criminals would be less likely to break into someplace if they think the owner owns a gun. This was Tracy's point and Mike's. I think in the U.S., with the huge proliferation of homes with guns, any criminal is probably already working with a worst case scenario assumption that the home has a gun. Given that coupled with the logic of nobody wanting to break into a place where there is a gun, then why are there any break-ins at all?

I guess my point is that it seems to me that the number and likelihood of break-ins is in no way related to whether or not people have guns at home. So it's really a bogus argument as far as it goes.

Now, maybe, and I say maybe a homeowner with a gun would shoot a criminal breaking in, as long as he/she becomes aware of the break-in in time to get the gun (or do they carry it around with them every waking moment?), and they are good enough to hot what they aim at, and have the ability to shoot another human being without hesitation. I know there are those who will jump in and yell that they'd shoot an invader without compunction, but I kind of doubt that it's that easy for someone who has never shot at another human being, and hesitation can get you killed.

Bottom line: I think that for the average person, owning a gun may make him/her feel safer, but I question whether it actually does make them safer in most cases.

>Keep in mind a primary difference between burglers and robbers. Someone who wants to sneak in to steal property does not want any interaction with the victim. If they are armed it is, perhaps, only with the idea of self-defense.
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>Armed robbers are a different breed. Different criminals. Different psychology. Part of the rush is power - taking something from someone by creating fear. They work on the assumption that fear will be effective in getting what they want. They believe in fear as a tool and are very susceptible to fear. They need to be made fearful.
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>I don't care about people who break into vacant houses or cars or steal in any sort of way as long as they are not endangering another person's safety. Catch them, fine them, let them make restitution whatever. I don't even care if they go to jail if there are better economic disincentives.
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>But those who are willing to put other people's lives at risk for their own gain should find the tables turned and the risk relocated. They should be stopped - lethally if necessary - without remorse. The risk should be all theirs. Use violence or the threat of violence and the world comes down on your head - street justice or courtroom justice - but draconian and certain.
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>I have spent my share of time in very very bad places . I am not a little guy, true, but I have also always done everything I can when in the neighborhood of predators to look more dangerous and more crazy than those around me ( the crazy part was easy - the dangerous part was acting ) with the idea that I never wanted to look like the softest target. Even if I am not armed I always want to look armed. ( though I have to admit if i actually am armed it really does feel better <s> )
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>>>What sane person with one functioning brain cell would engage in an extended high-speed chase trying to get away from law enforcement when caught red-handed? Yet it happens every day, and every day they get caught.
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>>>Criminals are neither logical, nor sane.
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>>There is a huge difference between acting stupidly in the heat of the moment like trying to run from the police, and planning a burglary. I just can't see why any burglar wouldn't work on the assumption that there might be a gun in the home.
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>>>Dan
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>>>>Sorry then, but that brings me back to my first question. Why would anybody with at least one functioning brain cell not automatically assume (or at least plan for the possibility) that there is a gun in there? I know if I were going to break into a house, my plan A would be based on that assumption.
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>>>>>The difference is when you are home. There are always those breaking in for reasons other than to steal property. It's for those that you need the gun.
>>>>>