Homeowners should shoot burglars to ‘save taxpayer’s money,’ Florida sheriff says

[Stevicus]

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article260657947.html

Homeowners in the Florida Panhandle are being encouraged by one sheriff to shoot burglars who enter their homes. The comments by Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson come after deputies took into custody a “frequent flyer” who is accused of breaking into several homes on Wednesday, April 20.

Brandon J. Harris, who Johnson said has been arrested 17 times, faces seven charges after his most recent arrest. Deputies set up a perimeter in the Pace neighborhood when multiple people called about a suspicious person, Johnson said.

About 40 minutes after the first call went out, a homeowner shot at Harris, who continued to run throughout the neighborhood.

The sheriff said Harris was caught when he jumped out of a window of a home’s bedroom. The homeowner who shot at Harris has not come forward, Johnson said.

“I guess they think they did something wrong, which they did not,” Johnson said. “If somebody is breaking into your house, you’re more than welcome to shoot at them in Santa Rosa County. We prefer that you do actually.”

The homeowner fired multiple shots, but Johnson said Harris came away with just bloody cuts from fencing. Harris’ charges include attempted burglary with assault, burglary and resisting arrest. Floridians are allowed to use force to protect their home and in defense of their property.

“A person who is in a dwelling or residence in which the person has a right to be has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and use or threaten to use,” the Florida statute states.

Johnson told the homeowner he or she is not in trouble.

“Come see us,” the sheriff said. “We have a gun safety class we put on every other Saturday and if you take that you’ll shoot a lot better and hopefully save taxpayer’s money.”

Pace is in the panhandle of Florida about 15 miles north of Pensacola.

Should burglars be shot to save the taxpayers' money?

Not that it's any great surprise when police officers take such a casual and cavalier attitude towards shooting people.

What also struck me about this was that this alleged burglar had been arrested 17 times - a "frequent flyer," as they called him. It sounds like this guy needs some professional help. If he keeps this up and they keep letting him out to commit more burglaries, then he probably will end up getting shot someday.

 

[Revoltingest]

....they keep letting him out to commit more burglaries, then he probably will end up getting shot someday.

We can only hope.

 

[Twilight Hue]

I'd shoot a home invader. I think most people would.

 

[Stevicus]

We can only hope.

After that many arrests, it almost seems like this guy has some kind of death wish.

 

[Stevicus]

I'd shoot a home invader. I think most people would.

It seems a very high-risk venture for very low return - unless someone knows that there's something valuable inside.

 

[Revoltingest]

After that many arrests, it almost seems like this guy has some kind of death wish.

Or he really covets the property of others.

I'm not a believer that every human life has value.
His life lost would be a benefit to society.

 

[pearl]

Reminds me of the 'stand your ground' law. Here in Massachusetts, I think there are grey areas as to shooting one in your home, only if he is a threat to your life, so if he is caught in the act and tries to run you are not allowed to shoot him, as he no longer represents a threat to your life. A lot of grey area.

 

[Kenny]

Should burglars be shot to save the taxpayers' money?

Maybe the question is, "Should burglars not burgle to save taxpayers money?"

 

[Rival]

Might be better to deal with the causes of burglary.

Or you could just keep shooting everyone.

School shooting? Arm the teachers.

Burglaries? Arm the homeowners.

Wtf.

Why does your nation never deal with the causes of crime?

 

[Stevicus]

Or he really covets the property of others.

I'm not a believer that every human life has value.
His life lost would be a benefit to society.

Some criminals manage to turn their lives around and become productive members of society.

I'm not sure what the story was with this guy, although from what's described, it sounds like some kind of petty thief with probably some addiction or mental health issues. Not a killer or some criminal mastermind, but still a menace to society.

 

[Revoltingest]

Some criminals manage to turn their lives around and become productive members of society.

It's possible.
But not probable.

I'm not sure what the story was with this guy, although from what's described, it sounds like some kind of petty thief with probably some addiction or mental health issues. Not a killer or some criminal mastermind, but still a menace to society.

Not a killer or maimer so far.
That could change.

 

[Stevicus]

Reminds me of the 'stand your ground' law. Here in Massachusetts, I think there are grey areas as to shooting one in your home, only if he is a threat to your life, so if he is caught in the act and tries to run you are not allowed to shoot him, as he no longer represents a threat to your life. A lot of grey area.

I'm not sure how the "stand your ground" law actually works in practice. I think that if an intruder is physically inside your home, that might be viewed as sufficient cause to use deadly force. But I've also heard of some accidental shootings where someone thought they shot an intruder but turned out to be a family member. Or someone who walked into the wrong house by mistake.

 

[Revoltingest]

I'm not sure how the "stand your ground" law actually works in practice. I think that if an intruder is physically inside your home, that might be viewed as sufficient cause to use deadly force. But I've also heard of some accidental shootings where someone thought they shot an intruder but turned out to be a family member. Or someone who walked into the wrong house by mistake.

It's a situation wherein stress & urgency result in imperfect decisions.

One of the strangest examples....
Amber Guyger convicted of murder in wrong-apartment killing of innocent man

 

[Stevicus]

Maybe the question is, "Should burglars not burgle to save taxpayers money?"

It's a good question, and I would say the answer is yes, burglars should not burgle, as it would save taxpayers money - not to mention the pain and aggravation of those who get burglarized.

 

[Stevicus]

It's possible.
But not probable.

Maybe. It's hard to say, although if someone is truly a danger to themselves or others, they need to be kept in a safe place - where they can be safe and society can be safe.

Something is seriously wrong when someone is arrested 17 times, and the only thing they can think to do about it is hope that some random homeowner shoots the guy. Why don't they try to find out what's wrong with this guy? Have him checked out by a shrink or something.

Not a killer or maimer so far.
That could change.

Maybe. If they think he's truly dangerous, they could put him away.

 

[Stevicus]

Might be better to deal with the causes of burglary.

Or you could just keep shooting everyone.

School shooting? Arm the teachers.

Burglaries? Arm the homeowners.

Wtf.

Why does your nation never deal with the causes of crime?

A lot of it is cultural, I think. Back in the days of the Old West, shooting the bad guy was the way things were done. That, and hangings. I've heard some people talk about wanting to bring back public hangings as a deterrent to crime.

 

[Revoltingest]

Maybe. It's hard to say, although if someone is truly a danger to themselves or others, they need to be kept in a safe place - where they can be safe and society can be safe.

I favor prison over capital punishment.
But the homeowner faces a very different decision from
government, ie, deadly self defense vs fleeing vs inaction.

Something is seriously wrong when someone is arrested 17 times, and the only thing they can think to do about it is hope that some random homeowner shoots the guy. Why don't they try to find out what's wrong with this guy? Have him checked out by a shrink or something.

It's the criminal justice system...not the criminal improvement system.
(There's room for improvement.)

 

[Father Heathen]

When it comes to defending yourself or protecting your family from serious harm or death, resorting to deadly force is acceptable.

That said, it's tacky to encourage it in such a cavalier and unprofessional attitude.

But of course addressing the causes of crime (economy, education, mental health, etc.) should take priority over cowboy vengeance fantasies/fetishism.

 

[Revoltingest]

But of course addressing the causes of crime (economy, education, mental health, etc.)....

Of course, sheriffs & homeowners can't address
those larger societal issues. They've the immediate
problem of a criminal threat to face.

 

[Father Heathen]

It's the criminal justice system...not the criminal improvement system.
(There's room for improvement.)

The problem with our system is that convicts leave it even more hardened than when they entered. Partaking in racism, gangs, rape, etc. is practically a prerequisite for survival in prison.