IT was three o’clock in the morning when I heard the ominous creak of my feet on the bedroom floor...

The castle doctrine and other DGU stories sound like a crock. Here's the British equivalent of the Onion's take on this. Maybe the US versions deserve the same reception.

Legitimate DGU - Yes or No?

From The Armed Citizen.

From the Publication of January 6, 2010

Burglary suspect shot by Jarales homeowner

Charges are pending against a man who was shot in the chest by a Jarales resident while allegedly trying to break in.

Valencia County Sheriff’s Deputy Chris Trujillo said the shooting occurred shortly after midnight on New Years Day at a house on Mill Road.

According to the deputy, the homeowner, whose name has not been released, heard someone trying to break into his home and called 911. When the suspect entered the house, the homeowner shot him once in the chest, Trujillo said.

“The intruder was airlifted to University of New Mexico Hospital,” Trujillo said.

He said the suspect’s condition was not immediately known Monday, but he is expected to face breaking and entering and other charges upon his release from the hospital. Police are not releasing the suspect’s name until the charges have been filed.

Trujillo said the homeowner is not being charged with any crime.

“He was defending his property,” Trujillo said.

My contention is that many of these so-called DGUs are nothing of the kind. In this story, for example, it sounds like the homeowner laid in wait for the burglar. I pictured a spider quietly awaiting his prey. In my opinion there's too much emphasis on the stand-your-ground defending-what's-mine mentality and too little emphasis on the value of life, even the criminal's.

Even when these incidents fall within the letter of the law, it is morally wrong to shoot someone when it can be avoided.

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.