Posted on 07/19/2007 12:48:18 PM PDT by neverdem
One of the achievements of the 80th Texas Legislature was its passage of a castle doctrine.
The measure, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, clarifies the instances in which individuals can use deadly force in self-defense.
In some circumstances under current law, citizens are required to retreat rather than use force in self-defense.
Wentworth's bill, which takes effect Sept. 1, broadens the presumption of reasonableness for self-defense and removes the threat of civil litigation for damages.
The Senate passed the new law by a vote of 30-0. The House followed with a 133-13 approval.
One of the 13 opponents of the castle doctrine in Texas was Rep. Borris Miles, D-Houston. Miles was inspecting the construction site of his new house last week when he heard some noises downstairs. When he went to investigate, he discovered two men trying to steal copper from the work site.
An altercation ensued during which, according to the Houston Chronicle, one of the thieves threw a pocketknife at Miles. The lawmaker, who has a concealed weapon permit, opened fire. One of the pilferers received a non-life-threatening wound.
The news accounts don't seem to suggest Miles made any effort to retreat from the dangerous situation. A jury of his peers would surely judge that Miles, fearing for his safety, acted in a reasonable way. The law that Miles voted against will erase any ambiguity.
An old saw suggests that a conservative is a liberal who's been mugged by reality.
With regard to the castle doctrine, perhaps Miles will now agree with 163 of his legislative colleagues.
The second amendment is what keeps our government from becoming a dictatorship all at once (it’s slowly becoming one), and keeps the head-choppers from trying something.
Is there freedom of the press in Houston? Will any reporters actually ask Miles for a clarification? Or is the press in Houston all owned by the DNC?
“The law that Miles voted against will erase any ambiguity.”
Typical left wing elitist — their rules for us their different rules for themselves.
I'm sorry, but all that I can tell you about Houston is that I believe its population makes it one of the top 10 cities in the country, and that it has a huge petrochemical industry.
The Houston Chronicle has been owned by the DNC for decades. LBJ held their tongue with a signed letter of support in exchange for letting a bank merger go through.
Our recent string of mayors (from the Clinton administration) have been free of “controversy” (at least until Mayor Brown was safe from electoral defeat in his term limited final term).
We are a one paper podunk town.
Typical former cop. It’s too dangerous for the public to have and use guns.
Not too different from NYC, though we do have the Post.
The Clinton Administration had to approve the buyout of the Houston Post by the Houston Chronicle.
And the Left complains about “no choices” in radio....
Some cops I know are too dangerous or careless to have guns themselves...
What is amusing is that reporters never really make clear that Castle Doctrine was and IS the law of the land even before they had to pass it.
This is TRUE TORT REFORM because it removes the ambulance chasing/insurance claim lawyers from the equation.
I am a former policeman and this is not indicative of all “typical former cops” more so a very choice minority.
Most officers are pro-carry and do not let anyone tell you different. I get tired of the generalization that the majority of the uninformed public bases their opinions on ( tv shows and blurbs from police admin officials ).
Only when an officer gets promoted to admin and is no longer on the streets do they begin to go senile and grow self-important and think like that idiot.
I don’t know about that. I have several police officers in my family, so I’ve had the opportunity to discuss gun rights with lots of peace officers over time, and find them to be overwhelmingly in favor of gun rights for private citizens.
On the other hand, I’ve found that police officers in politically sensitive leadership positions to be less strident on the issue — willing to blow in whatever direction benefits the politics at the time. With lots of liberals sitting on the city council, you can bet that the police commissioner and the police chief keep their 2nd Amendment support to a politically acceptable minimum.
Retreat? Hell, I get short of breath getting to the bathroom to take a leak, ain’t no way speed is an option.
If you don’t want me to pump your butt full of lead just stay out of my yard! There is nothing here that belongs to you!
Borris "the two faced hypocrite" Miles
Thanks for the pic.
I don’t understand why he would have been in fear for his life. He had a gun and seconds later, he also had a pocket knife. Why couldn’t he just call 911 like the rest of us peons?
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