http://www.wsbtv.com/news/news/local/woman-hiding-kids-shoots-intruder/nTm7s/

I'm curious what people think of this story?
As a woman with children what would you have done?

I believe a statement from a local American citizen; that had she called 911 the police station was more than fifteen minutes away.

Do people have the right to defend themselves and their family from criminals? Remembering that death is quite final, there's no coming back!

'Do people have the right to defend themselves and their family from criminals? '

People, especially fathers and husbands have a responsibility to defend their families. It appears from whats been reported, this lady was very brave and did the right thing.

By the sounds of it, she needs a bigger gun.

One of my neighbours has a sign on the gate, about his dog.

It says "Don't worry too much about the bl00dy dog, it's the owner you need to worry about".

He believes, as many of us in rural areas believe, if someone chooses to break into his property, he reserves the right to send them out in a box. When you can not expect a police response time better than 35 minutes, family protection is down to you.

I am very unlikely to cause anyone any trouble normally. However break into my property, & I will shoot first, & ask questions later. As I am a pretty good shot, the crook is unlikely so be answering by then.

If every one treats intruders the same way, there will be a continuing improvement in the gene pool.

RM, I believe she has no case to answer.

What are the odds that after the guy recovers, he continues his life of violence and crime. Odds on I would say. If I was a civil court judge , and that is where this may end up, I would rule the incident as an occupational hazard....no foul.

This was an awful story and I can only imagine the horror this woman felt. If she had a gun in the house already then I guess she felt she had to use it to protect her children from a perceived threat.
She and her children will probably have nightmares about that day forever, not least of which will include the memory of shooting someone down.

I would never have a gun in my home.
I don't believe the penalty for breaking and entering or burglary should be death by firing squad without a trial.

As a former policeman, I wonder what o sung wu feels about this case?
In Australia you are only allowed to take reasonable force to protect your home in a break in, so if this burglar had died, the woman may well have been charged with murder.

How would anyone feel if they shot someone dead in the dark of night, thinking they were breaking in, only to find it was a family member who forgot their key, or a young child burglar?

What about either of that woman's young children accessing the gun for themselves and shooting themselves or others with it?
These scenario's are at least as likely to happen as someone breaking in to threaten your family.

I would hate to see a society that let it's citizens take law matters into their own hands, especially a shoot first, ask questions later attitude.

My opinion is she did the wrong thing, when she first saw him she should have said she has a gun if he proceeded further she should have fired 1 in his general direction as a warning, if he proceeded forward then open fire on him.