attacked with pepper spray?

[03Lightningrocks]

I suppose the legislature does not want fistfights to turn into shootings and stabbings, but that happens anyway among people who couldn't care less about the law.

- Jim

Couldn't care less or no moral compass? Maybe some of each? Maybe a good question to ask ourselves before blasting someone is if we are acting out of revenge/anger or out of the fear that our lives are truly on the line. Refusing to accept a butt kicking does not equate to being in fear of ones life.

[seamusTX]

Criminals have always been people who put their own desires above the rules of society. In the past, they avoided getting caught. That kind of criminal is still with us in the form of scam artists, embezzlers, identity thieves, corrupt officials, etc.

However, we see a lot of criminals -- usually teenagers -- these days who don't seem to care if they get caught or even killed. They are the most dangerous type, because no deterrent keeps them in check.

If you look at all the shootings and homicides that take place on a typical day, half involve teenagers and the other half involve some kind of family or intimate relationship gone sour. I suspect that adult gang members are having minors do their dirty work,

- Jim

[dewayneward]

SeamusTx,

You have hit a nerve commenting about today's youth as well as a (from what I can see) the vast majority of bad guys. These guys just DONT CARE about you at all. They are sociopaths that are in it for whatever brings them immediate satisfaction.

I see people whig out in the weirdest of situations and it is downright scary. I was just reading the recent event where 2 bad guys kicked in the apartment door of 2 kids (10 and a younger one). the kids ran into a bedroom (close I believe) and the bad guys came after them. Thankfully, one kid shot one of the bad guys and they took off http://www.wafb.com/global/story.asp?s=10741492 and they were later arrested.

I just sit back and think what the hell where those guys going to do to those kids. there was NO reason to go after them. If they just wanted some stuff, after they broke in the house, they could have just took what they wanted and left the kids alone, but NO, they were going to do something.

I see people get cut off (on purpose and for no reason) and then see road rage incidents. Truly bizarre behavior.

you just never know what people are capable of....Ok, off the soapbox.

[bryang]

Thanks, Steve and Jim, for the extremely important information. We can never be reminded enough about the different circumstances we may find our self in and what kind of force to use. I can understand how talking to the police before you have a lawyer could lead to serious problems for you.

-geo