When to take law into own hands?

[Shangri-laschild]

That's cool, completely leave out the rest of the sentences/paragraphs where I state what I'd do. Imply that I'll go on a killing spree even if I said that if I see four black guys driving around in a car matching the description I'd just call the cops.

While I don't think this is what you said or were implying, I think there might have been a little bit of confusion with your last paragraph:

I mean, what am I justified to do? If I see four black guys driving around in a Honda Civic matching that description, I'm going to call the cops even if it means being called a racist. I can't arm myself because New Jersey is a big giant pussy when it comes to doing so. But why should I stand around and let my family get robbed at gun point if I did have the ability to own a weapon and use it to protect myself and my family?

You jumped from the patrolling the neighborhood idea to the scenario of having someone break into your house and the transition threw me too for a second.

As far as taking the law into your own hands, it depends on your definition. I don't know that I'd see defending yourself against someone who breaks into your house as taking the law into your hands.

[Greenday]

As far as taking the law into your own hands, it depends on your definition. I don't know that I'd see defending yourself against someone who breaks into your house as taking the law into your hands.

Some people see it as designating oneself "Judge, jury, and executioner".

[HYHYBT]

Well, after all, you've elsewhere declared defending yourself alone against a group attacking you to be murder, so it's a bit hard to pin down.

[PepperElf]

I honestly have no confidence in the police coming to the rescue if they were to rob my house.

This is a very valid worry. Especially since, as you said, your state is denying you your second amendment rights.

You're suppose to just call 911 and ask for help? What happens if they don't get there in time? Or if they promise help but don't deliver?

Truth is, they're not obliged to provide police services to individuals unless they have a special duty to those people. Warren Vs DC


and back then those two women lived in a city that banned handguns in the homes so ... if they had broken the law would they have suffered through 14 hours of being beaten & raped? Who knows. maybe, maybe not... but if it had saved them, would it really be a bad law to break? might have even saved the original victim from some of her suffering too.

i don't think i'd be able to look those women in the eye and say "you're not allowed to defend yourself". not after what they went through.


so that's something to consider