Post by Jade on Dec 21, 2009 13:41:25 GMT
Tories' licence to kill a burglar: Homeowners using self-defence should escape prosecution, says shadow minister
By Tim Shipman
Last updated at 11:31 AM on 21st December 2009
Mail Online
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling wants citizens to have extra rights to defend themselves in their home
Homeowners would be handed a licence to kill burglars by a Tory government.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling raised the election stakes on crime by promising law-abiding citizens extra rights to defend themselves.
If the Tories win the election, he said, they would tear up the law which lets householders use only 'reasonable force' to defend their families against intruders.
The move comes amid public outrage at the 30-month sentence handed last week to Munir Hussain, who chased and beat a member of a gang who had held his family at knifepoint in their home.
Mr Grayling said homeowners should escape conviction even if they kill a burglar - unless they use 'grossly disproportionate' force.
His intervention put the government on the back foot and forced Home Secretary Alan Johnson into a pledge to review the law.
Mr Grayling made it clear that killing a burglar would not necessarily be classed as 'grossly disproportionate'.
He said: 'If somebody breaks into your house with a knife and goes for you and you end up defending yourself and killing them, arguably in many cases that wouldn't be. [/b]
Another moral one - this time about when it is right to kill. Now I am in the "High moral ground til it happens to me then god help him" school of thought. Intellectually I know I should stop hitting when there is no chance of danger, emotionally I bet I would keep going til I was pulled off.
By Tim Shipman
Last updated at 11:31 AM on 21st December 2009
Mail Online
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling wants citizens to have extra rights to defend themselves in their home
Homeowners would be handed a licence to kill burglars by a Tory government.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling raised the election stakes on crime by promising law-abiding citizens extra rights to defend themselves.
If the Tories win the election, he said, they would tear up the law which lets householders use only 'reasonable force' to defend their families against intruders.
The move comes amid public outrage at the 30-month sentence handed last week to Munir Hussain, who chased and beat a member of a gang who had held his family at knifepoint in their home.
Mr Grayling said homeowners should escape conviction even if they kill a burglar - unless they use 'grossly disproportionate' force.
His intervention put the government on the back foot and forced Home Secretary Alan Johnson into a pledge to review the law.
Mr Grayling made it clear that killing a burglar would not necessarily be classed as 'grossly disproportionate'.
He said: 'If somebody breaks into your house with a knife and goes for you and you end up defending yourself and killing them, arguably in many cases that wouldn't be. [/b]
Another moral one - this time about when it is right to kill. Now I am in the "High moral ground til it happens to me then god help him" school of thought. Intellectually I know I should stop hitting when there is no chance of danger, emotionally I bet I would keep going til I was pulled off.
