Comments about ‘Springville homeowner shoots, kills intruder’

Guessing the crime rate will fall dramatically in that neighborhood.

This is exactly what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they gave us the 2nd Amendment right to own and bear firearms. The home owner showed extreme self control in only shooting the intruder once.

Completely agree with the actions of the homeowner.

And yes, this IS what the founding fathers had in mind.

Strolling around a mall with a rifle? Maybe not.

Or, they could have locked their door. And, what if no one had a gun for the intruder to steal?

Re: Mendel 10:09 a.m. March 1, 2012
"what if no one had a gun for the intruder to steal?"

According to the news story the intruder demanded that they take him to an ATM for cash. He claimed that he already had a firearm and therefore wasn't there to steal theirs.

A better question might be "what if the homeowners didn't have a gun to defend themselves with?

Rifleman: this is not what the founding fathers intended. This is a side benefit.

The true intent has to do with protecting ourselves from an overreaching govt. that would crash our doors and take our lives.

Re: Mendel

Using the logic that it's the owners' fault for not locking their door is ridiculous. It might not be the smartest thing to do, but forgetting to lock a door does not merit the loss of freedom to life and property. This man showed some real courage and I'm glad they are safe and doing well. It's sad to see people in situations that pushes them to do crazy things like this.

Re: Goet 11:23 a.m. March 1, 2012
"Rifleman: this is not what the founding fathers intended. This is a side benefit."

Yes, you are totally correct. That concept however is guaranteed to push the liberals round the bend. Probably the main reason our government fears an armed citizenry.

The homeowner had every "right" to do what he did.

BTW - I have a 30-06 for the same reason.
Not for some fanatic lunitic insurrection or rebellion against the Government.

"According to the news story the intruder demanded that they take him to an ATM for cash. He claimed that he already had a firearm and therefore wasn't there to steal theirs."

According to the story, the intruder probably stole the gun from another home last week.

"Guessing the crime rate will fall dramatically in that neighborhood."

I think you're giving the criminals too much credit there. It's pretty clear that residents own guns in just about every neighborhood in Utah, but the bad guys don't worry about that. They think they're the ones who will get away with it...

LDS Liberal writes: "BTW - I have a 30-06 for the same reason."

The 30-06 is a fine caliber for deer hunting but due to the length of its barrel makes it totally impractical for use for home defense. It would be like trying to use a chainsaw to carve a Thanksgiving turkey.

Can you imagine asking an armed intruder to wait patiently while you loaded your rifle. You'd be in the morgue along with your wife and children.

Marjorie C., I'm glad you co-authored this story. Your CO grandparents would be proud of you for writing about homeowners defending themselves. This homeowner did the right thing, and I'm glad no one else was injured. The reporting was great too.

I hope the family was not too traumatized by the whole affair

This proves once again that a gun in my hand is better than a cop on the phone! Me, I have a .44 mag and I really do know how to use it!

Mountanman, you know how to use your .44? Well that's good, they aren't too hard to use, even children know how to use em. If its a wheel gun just put in the bullets and pull the trigger. Not rocket science.

Mendel - ok so the next time you don't roll up your car window it gives me the right to steal your car? Or because you forgot to lock your door at home I can come in at my leisure and take what I want? Yeah, that is logical thinking. This is the message Utahns need to send. If people try to commit a crime against us there will be deadly consequences. Don't do it here - go to another state where the laws protect the criminals and hurt the law abiding. We will not stand for it here. I can leave my door unlocked all I want, and shouldn't have to worry about some scum bag coming in uninvited. He then waives his right to be treated fairly.

"And, what if no one had a gun for the intruder to steal?"

Then the intruder would have found some other way to get a gun. The right to bear arms allows for families such as this to defend themselves when the intruder comes. Take that right away and you will have an increase of armed intruders breaking and entering even when people are home.

"Probably the main reason our government fears an armed citizenry."

I have seen absolutely NO indication that "our govt fears an armed citizenry"

I am not the govt, but I dont want you to have a machine gun, a tank, or an RPG.

If that is what you are referring to then you have a point.

Otherwise, it just sounds good, but has no basis in truth.

@ Mark. I meant that I am a very accuratge with it, but I think you knew what I meant. And by the way, children do not have access to it even though more children die from drowning in swimming pools than by firearm accidents.

Good to finally see a story where guns are used for self defense.

The liberal media focuses way too much on gun use for suicide, domestic violence, and/or mass killings.