[ConservativeMind]

Can ranchers freely kill someone caught stealing cattle?

[ScubaDiver]

No. That ended a century or more ago. Today, in most states, justifiable homicide only applies when you or others are threatened with imminent personal danger.

And/But, under Arizona (and other state) law, ranchers could probably use some level of force to prevent the left if the thieves are caught in the act of thieving. But, unless the thieves themselves were armed and posed an imminent threat, there's no way you could shoot them...and get away with it. Of course, dead men tell no stories and ranchers are generally MILES from civilization, so....

[DownInFlames]

Just as long there are no witnesses. Plenty of land to bury them.

[Carriage Hill]

SPJNK.
SSS.