Unarmed Policing

[wolf]

Americans can't grasp the concept of "only bad guys have the guns."

I can't. And I've talked to plenty of Brits.

We also don't get how a homeowner who defends himself with a cricket bat goes to jail and the criminal who broke in walks free for giving evidence against him.

[Cyber Wolf]

Originally Posted by wolf

We also don't get how a homeowner who defends himself with a cricket bat goes to jail and the criminal who broke in walks free for giving evidence against him.

How? For the same reason this happened...

In 1997, Larry Harris of Illinois broke into a bar owned by Jessie Ingram. Ingram, the victim of several break-ins, had recently set a trap around his windows to deter potential burglars. Harris, 37, who was under the influence of both alcohol and drugs, must have missed the warning sign prominently displayed in the window. He set off the trap as he entered the window, electrocuting himself. The police refused to file murder charges. Harris's family saw it differently, however, and filed a civil suit against Ingram. A jury originally awarded the Harris family $150,000. Later, the award was reduced to $75,000 when it was decided Harris should share at least half of the blame.

And a few more from here...