Tougher laws to protect us in our homes may not fix the problem

IN the Lone Star State of Texas where a frontier mentality fostered a culture of shoot first, ask questions later, citizens have the protection of the Castle Law.

Introduced in September 2007, it gives people the right to use whatever means necessary to protect themselves and their property without fear of being sued.

The law – based on the ancient Roman sentiment that a man’s home is his castle – says the use of force or deadly force is presumed to be reasonable if someone unlawfully and with force enters an occupied home, business or car. Furthermore, if the force used against the intruder was reasonable according to the statute, the occupant cannot be sued for injuries or death.