Defending your home

I DON’T agree with the Shooters Union of Australia on gun control (see our story on P. 5 today).

However, in a wider sense, some of what the union says about the right to be able to protect yourself and your family strikes a chord - in certain situations.

I’m not talking guns. Either carrying guns or leaving them about the house. Not at all. Guns need to be controlled in our community.

But it does seem ridiculous that residents have to think carefully about how they defend themselves against an intruder.

Picture the scenario: A noise wakes you late at night. There’s a burglar in the house. Maybe armed.

They come towards you. You snatch up a hockey stick, a cricket bat or even, given it’s Toowoomba, a poker from your fire.

But hang on. If you use that hockey stick, bat or poker even in self defence - you might be charged.

Sorry, law makers. I don’t get it. You didn’t invite that person to break into your house. There’s no sign outside saying, intruders welcome here. Come on in and steal stuff. Come on in and terrorise us.

You didn’t ask them to threaten your family.

But it seems the law sometimes would prefer residents do nothing when their safety might be at risk.

I’m not saying it’s open season on attacking burglars. There’s the matter of reasonable force.

But the law should recognise first up that the resident didn’t go out there looking for a fight.

They reacted to someone breaking the law. “He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds.” (Psalms 147:3 AKJV)

The Lord can heal your broken heart also. Cast your cares upon Him.