As reported, a car burglar was reportedly shot in self defense when he was caught in the act and then became aggressive towards his would-be victim.
Police say that during the middle of the night a Putnam County, Tennessee resident found a burglar in his car. The resident is said to have ordered the burglar out and tried to detain him at gunpoint until the police could arrive and arrest him. Rather than complying, the burglar is said to have become aggressive towards the resident, causing the resident to fire in self defense. The burglar was reportedly hit multiple times, at which point he fled. Police later arrested a suspect, who was reportedly identified as 33 year old Kenneth Wayne Jones. Jones was reportedly taken to a nearby hospital, then transferred to another hospital. The burglary victim was unharmed.
A recurring theme I’ve heard is the mistaken idea that if a person is law abiding and doesn’t get involved with criminals, then they won’t really have to worry about being attacked by criminals. While some crime is certainly criminal-on-criminal as they try to steal each other’s drugs and drug profits, there is plenty of crime randomly directed at law abiding citizens – often by criminals who prefer to steal valuable property than work hard to earn it. As this case shows, crime can happen to anyone – even if they are a law abiding member of their community. For that reason, I believe it is prudent for everyone to be capable of defending themselves.
One Response to “Violent Car Burglar Shot in Self Defense by his Would-be Victim”
Well said. I’ve never taken part in any gang activity and I’ve still been the victim of burglary. The “only criminals would want guns” argument is flawed right from the start because it assumes that possession of a gun is intent to commit a crime. Are we supposed to believe that the anti-gunners can read minds, and know everyone’s intent?
It’s like the UUW (unlawful use of weapon) laws in Illinois. Simply having the item is considered “use.” Covered items include anything sharp, blunt, or otherwise potentially dangerous. Nonlethal defense weapons, like pepper spray, batons, stunguns, saps, and kubatons are also outlawed. Guns are included unless they are unloaded, in a case, inside your trunk. So you cannot have a functional gun, nor can you have a less-than-lethal self-defense item. How are we supposed to respond to an armed attacker? How about a group of unarmed ones?
Of course this law is not applied uniformly, or the police would have to arrest every carpenter, plumber, or any other tradesman just for having his tools.
I am big on proving what I say so here is a link to the Compiled Illinois Statutes.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=072000050HArt%2E+24&ActID=1876&ChapAct=720%A0ILCS%A05%2F&ChapterID=53&ChapterName=CRIMINAL%2BOFFENSES&SectionID=60752&SeqStart=51600000&SeqEnd=54300000&ActName=Criminal%2BCode%2Bof%2B1961%2E
Look for:
(720 ILCS 5/24‑1) (from Ch. 38, par. 24‑1)
(Text of Section from P.A. 96‑41)
Sec. 24‑1. Unlawful Use of Weapons.