Self-defence: can you shoot a burglar?
At night, a shopkeeper surprises a burglar in his shop and shoots him.
- Self-defence: he was defending his shop against an intruder
- Understandable, but he must stand trial
- Unacceptable without a threat to his life: a life is worth more than property
What's at stake: Self-defence requires a response proportionate to an immediate threat. The debate is about how far the right to defend one's property goes.
The left's argument
No property justifies killing. Letting people take justice into their own hands leads to escalation.
The centre's argument
We understand the victim's fear, but a judge must examine each case on its own merits.
The right's argument
The shopkeeper is the victim. You can't expect him to coolly assess the threat.
And you, where do you stand?
Answer 30 situations like this one and find out where you stand, topic by topic.