[Dead Corpse]

I think you are missing my point.What is the reason that most petty thieves aren`t up to bloodshed?

How much of it is due to the severity of the punishment that goes along with it.

Very little would be my guess. For the same reason some soldiers freeze in combat and some first time hunters can't pull the trigger.

And no. The Deterrent becomes DEATH at the hands of your intended victim or having to pay direct restitution. Much worse than todays "maybe go to jail".

[carlr]

The Deterrent becomes DEATH at the hands of your intended victim or having to pay direct restitution.

That assumes that as the intended victim you have the forwarning of their intent.I am suggesting that without the restraint of law and its consequences you could be the victim without any warning,as in some gang infested areas that for the most part exist in a state of lawlessness.

I am curious as to the paying of direct restitution.
Wouldn`t that require,in Al Gores famous words "a controlling legal authority",to enforce that?