In an editorial that could have been written by an NRA lobbyist, the Globe explains that now homeowners can stop fearing for their lives because they can defend themselves if they fear for their lives...something they have always been able to do:
Missouri’s law, which goes into effect Aug. 28, undoubtedly will bring criticism from those who perceive criminals as victims of society's lack of compassion, an unhappy childhood or some other rationale for misbehavior. But, we suspect, Missourians will be happy with it.
There is something basically wrongheaded in demanding that an innocent homeowner run out the door and abandon his property rather than confronting intruders intent on robbery or perhaps even rape or murder. If a homeowner has the means and the determination to stand his or her ground with a handgun, shotgun or rifle, he or she should be able to use deadly force, if necessary.
The truth is that Missourians intuitively know — and should have the legal right to believe — that someone who breaks a window or kicks in a door to gain illegal entrance doesn’t have warm and fuzzy intentions toward the legal occupants. The best of a burglar's intentions would be stealing, the worst, violence.
This cookie-cutter frontier justice bill (NRA has been pushing lookalike bills across the United States) is simply unnecessary legislation designed to keep the membership dues coming. And the Joplin Globe, as usual, is pandering to its base instead of telling it the truth.
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