Do you believe citizens should take justice into their own hands?

Question

Do you feel that citizens should take justice into their own hands; considering the increasing crime rate? What if the police are too slow in solving crime or unable to address criminal activities? Do you feel that government should then encourage vigilante groups to deal with such matters? Why?

Thanks for reading. Your opinion is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

there's a big difference in "defending yourself", and justice.  The police are there to respond to alleged criminal acts; but they really can't protect all citizens.  I believe that people have the right to defend themselves if they believe that they or someone in their charge is in imminent danger of serious injury or death, by using deadly force.  Justice is our form of criminal punishment, which is the system of judges, lawyers, and juries concern themselves with; following American Law.  Vigilante groups break that law by punishing the perpetrator, rather than using a level of defense that results in the prosecution of the person.

Answer 2

Yeah. Vote and write.

Otherwise all is lost.

Answer 3

It's often very satisfying to read about when they do, then it's a real bummer when the "justice" system goes after the "heroes."  Once in NYC a man saved a woman that was being mugged, because he had a pistol and scared the mugger away, then he was arrested for having a gun.  Bullsheet!  Or how about the border guards that are doing time now for shooting the drug smuggler in the buns?  Pres. Bullsh should pardon them NOW!

Answer 4

No, but if someone hits my Fiance you better believe they are getting knocked out, though I will not kick them after they are down.Ditto for raping female loved ones minus the not kicking them while they are down part.

Answer 5

I am a law-abiding citizen that has a permit to carry a concealed weapon.  If I happen to chance upon a crime in a life and death situation I wouldnt hesitate to blow the criminals away.  I love vigilante law when my life or that of other helpless victims are on the line.

Answer 6

I think when crime takes place there is no other choice.  I don't think we'll ever see the day that government will encourage vigilantes, regardless slow solving or inability to address, so whether they should becomes moot.  One would have to operate outside the law and be punished themselves.

Two examples beyond what answers you've already been given, the citizen owning a registered weapon, watching from his car when the Georgia hiker killer was loading evidence into a dumpster from his victim.  The citizen connected to 911 on his cell offered to "take him out", with 911 warning him not to.  Police arrived in the nick of time.

Other example, an Atlanta ex-Marine walking home late night last year from his downtown restaurant waiter job was carrying in his backpack a small knife and ran from three who jumped out of a car in chase.  When he stopped to retrieve the knife, it enabled the criminals to catch up with him, and he began self-defense, killing a teenage girl of the pack in the process.  He later could find no way to face himself for her death, leaving his girlfriend and the city of Atlanta to go home to New York.

Answer 7

I don't feel "Justice", should be meted out by the general public, but certainly protection should be. It wasn't that long ago our fore fathers enacted the second amendment to the constitution, the right to keep and bear arms. This is would curtail illegal activity if law abiding citizens were to uphold the laws and constitution of our nation. Miranda was a wonderful thing it was not meant however to neuter our police into nothing more than social workers!

Answer 8

Let's just say that I'm a huge Charles Bronson (Death Wish) fan.