Lethal option

SINCE the Irish state itself lacks the legal authority to put burglars to death, how could it allow private homeowners to use lethal force?

The principle of minimum force already allows one to use such force as is reasonably necessary in legitimate self-defence.

However, what was a last resort might well become the favoured first option entailing an element of premeditation. Gun law is no law.

JA Barnwell

St Patrick’s Road

Dublin 9