Should you just give robbers what they want?

[shadowrider]

“A group that represents owners of dairies and small liquor stores says shop owners should be allowed to use weapons to defend themselves against violent attacks,” Radio New Zealand News reports.

At first glance, it seems a real cultural disconnect for some of us in the U.S.—people asking others if they’re “allowed” to use tools to defend themselves, although isn’t that what getting “permits” is really all about? How is such presumption tolerated, let alone obeyed and even embraced as legitimate and necessary?

We’re told a liquor store owner was attacked by a robber, and suffered a gunshot and a crushing hammer injury to his skull.

A spokesman for the Association of Dairy, Grocery and Small Businesses has it right when he notes “police don't have the resources to offer protection,” and advocates “shop owners should be able to use hockey sticks or even licensed firearms in some circumstances.”

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-national/should-you-just-give-robbers-what-they-want

[-..__...]

1. Only if they want a bellyful of buckshot.

[guitar man]

2. no

you should give them what they deserve

[doc03]

3. +1

[old mark]

4. K&R-Think who is likely to be robbing your 7-11 or breaking into your home...

Do you really want to trust that person do decide the fate of your family-would you trust their good judgement, sense of decency or conscience with your life? With the lives or well being of your kids?


mark

[Nuclear Unicorn]

10. I think of the news stories of people working in stores/fast food places

giving the robbers what they want then being herded into the back and executed one-by-one.

[NewMoonTherian]

16. Had a situation like that...

in town here, quite close to my house. Hard to comprehend what sort of mind could allow that kind of cruelty.

[Edweird]

18. Yep. Former employees that return to rob you kill you.

Even with a ski mask on you'll recognize them. That's the unfortunate reality.

[RSillsbee]

5. Ummm

no

[ProgressiveProfessor]

6. It has to be a real time decision

While I am quite capable of disabling attackers with or without a sidearm, the decision to do so would depend heavily on the events unfolding.

[one-eyed fat man]

7. What if the crime is rape?

Do they really expect that a woman should just "get up off that pussy?"

What's next? Tell her she may as well relax and enjoy it? Criminals need love too?

[DissedByBush]

8. She was asking for it anyway

At least that's what the religious right wingers tell me.

[Kennah]

9. David Codrea only occasionally visits the planet ...

... but I think the decision to use force, lethal or something less, should rest with the individual. If a law abiding person is willing to use deadly force, then they should have that choice.

[Callisto32]

12. And be prepared to deal with the consequences of that choice.

I only add this because a lot of people who post here seem to think that those of us in favor of the option to use firearms for self defense want to shield people from liability for their actions.

This is emphatically not the case.

[Kennah]

14. Actions have consequences. Absolutely true.

People have historically done stupid things, and I see no reason this will change in the future.

[Euromutt]

11. I don't think you have any moral obligation, and should not have any legal obligation to do so

As ProgressiveProfessor says above, it has to be a real-time decision, based on whether you think you'll be in greater danger either by resisting or not resisting; nobody can make that decision except you at that place and time.

You certainly shouldn't be expected to comply with a robber. By definition, robbery is the act of taking someone else's property by force, or under threat of force, and it's the "force" part that sets it apart from simple theft. It's about protecting your own physical well-being.

[jeepnstein]

13. Some times that's the best solution.

Some times it won't make a bit of difference and they'll hurt you anyway.

It's really up to the individual getting robbed as to whether resistance is a good response. I'm not really big on second-guessing anyone on that one.

I have a good friend who just shot a burglar the other day. It was in broad daylight and he was at home taking a nap at the time. The burglar escaped after getting hit once and collapsed in the street. He'll be charged for burglary if he makes it out of the hospital. My friend is kind of shook up over it all. The suspect had just been in court on another theft charge an hour before this incident.

We've had a rash of home invasion style robberies in town. Our police department finally admitted it's been going on for a while but they didn't want to tell anyone for some unknown reason. They're targeting elderly and disabled victims who are likely to have cash and prescriptions on hand.

[NewMoonTherian]

17. The PD didn't want to cause a run on guns and CCW permits.

Can you imagine the blood that would run in the streets if a bunch of crippled old farts had the means to defend themselves against violent criminals?

:sarcasm:

[east texas lib]

15. Some victims complied and lived, others complied then were killed anyway...

I wouldn't chance it. But opinions vary.