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'Castle Law' Stirs up Controversy
February 14, 2008 12:41 PM
Tonight we'll be airing a piece on a controversial law in Texas called the "Castle Law," which gives homeowners increased authority to take action against intruders. The law has been causing a stir since two incidents in the last two years where homeowners fatally shot burglars. One of these homeowners was retired computer technician Joe Horn, who shot two burglars last November after being urged by a 911 dispatcher not to.
For Valentine's Day we'll be airing a piece on unique love story: a husband and wife who are also police partners in one of San Fransisco's toughest neighborhoods, the Tenderloin. To our knowledge, they are the only married police partners in the country. John Berman spends time with the two as they balance fighting crime during the day and caring for their family at night.
We'll be rounding out the show with a piece on the new first lady of France, Carla Bruni. The Italian songwriter, singer and supermodel is raising eyebrows in the French press.
February 14, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (12)
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Hey I'm with the guy that shot the burglers in his home. That dispatcher isn't IN the house and I don't think they should have the right to tell you that defense is not an option. If they break in my house, knowing I'm in there, then I have to assume they mean to hurt me. Doesn't matter if they really do or not. Not to me
Posted by: Alvincool | Feb 14, 2008 1:38:05 PM
Any wagers as to how hysterically Nightline will mischaracterize the Castle Law?
Posted by: John Hardin | Feb 14, 2008 3:58:29 PM
I'd say the odds are quite high. Wonder how "balanced" and "fair" their coverage of the Castle Law it will be.
Here's hoping
Posted by: Han | Feb 14, 2008 4:46:32 PM
Any wagers as to how hysterically Nightline will mischaracterize the Castle Law?
They already have mischaracterized it in the above blurb about the segment.
Texas already had the castle doctrine law for the home prior to when the law was passed in '07. The law in '07 extended the effects of the law to any place you are lawfully allowed to be and provided an affirmative defense to civil procescution if a person accused of an unlawful shooting is no billed or found not guilty.
Posted by: Bodacious | Feb 14, 2008 4:47:09 PM
Yep, Texas Castle Doctrine is bad, just ask this guy:
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa080214_lj_hawes.bfc57dff.html
Posted by: Madrocketscientist | Feb 14, 2008 5:25:11 PM
Imagine how wacky this Castle Law is. Self-defense! That's a lofty idea. I think we should just let the cops take care of it all. Then when they arrive 20 minutes after I get shot, hey... 'they are the only ones that SHOULD be able to protect people'...why should we even consider being able to protect ourselves...just do as they do in Britain!
Where's the controversy?
Posted by: Scott | Feb 14, 2008 6:15:04 PM
Imagine how wacky this Castle Law is. Self-defense! That's a lofty idea. I think we should just let the cops take care of it all. Then when they arrive 20 minutes after I get shot, hey... 'they are the only ones that SHOULD be able to protect people'...why should we even consider being able to protect ourselves...just do as they do in Britain!
Where's the controversy?
Posted by: Scott | Feb 14, 2008 6:15:05 PM
Joe Horn for Sheriff!
Posted by: Fight islam Now | Feb 14, 2008 6:31:47 PM
This guy took the law in his own hands. It was not even his house they were burglarizing. He didn't even give the cops time to arrive, and handle the situation.
Posted by: yella | Feb 15, 2008 11:35:50 AM
yella: Which guy? If it's the one I think you're speaking of, I seem to remember that (1) there *was* a plainclothes officer on the scene and he didn't do anything, and (2) he only shot when the burglars came onto his property and approached him after he went outside and yelled at them to halt/drop their loot/etc.
Posted by: John Hardin | Feb 15, 2008 3:26:56 PM
We've had the "Castle" doctrine in FL for a while now, and it was recently expanded to a "Stand your ground" law, which allows people to defend themselves anyplace they have a right to be. Since I'm disabled and a target for would-be theives, it's nice to know that I'll face a lower number of problems if I'm ever forced to defend myself than someone in a more restrictive state. It seems that too many newspeople are anti-gun, as though the equipment is the problem. I've seen people seriously harmed with a car door. It's not weapons that cause people to be violent, it's a defect in personality. There have always been violent people, and the only thing that holds them back is the chance that someone could return the violence to them. Self defense laws help more people to stand up against the criminals without fear that it will result in their own loss of freedom.
Posted by: Phillip | Feb 15, 2008 10:19:48 PM
The media is so hysterically biased against the right to self defense (the most fundamental right ANY living creature can possess) that it borders on insanity.
None of your rights matter if you can't defend your life, livelihood, and property from criminals. What good are your 1st amendment rights by comparison? You can get some feelgood fuzzies by excersizing your right to free speech while a criminal harms you, or your family? The media hyperventilates over any perceived slight to the 1st amendment, but dishonestly despises the second.
People have a right to protect themselves, their family, even their neighbors when need be. It's a wonder that the media can claim with a straight face that they are anything but propagandists anymore.
If you ever wonder why so many of us DO NOT TRUST YOU anymore, here's part of the reason why.
Incidentally, I personally know several people who are alive today, with family members alive today, because they excersized their right to self defense on their property using a firearm.
Posted by: Scott | Feb 16, 2008 12:51:13 AM
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