7 Withdraw, defend or destroy
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Rowland Atkinson
Abstract
Here we discuss the balance of responsibility between the state and the individual homeowner to protect the home, against the background of a lack of confidence in governments' ability to prevent crime and the rising sense of victimhood in popular culture and criminal justice systems. The focus of this chapter is on the legal position of the homeowner who uses lethal force in defence of their home. Illustrated by high-profile cases, developments in the law on defence and revenge are analysed and comparisons are made between the US, the UK and Australia.
Abstract
Here we discuss the balance of responsibility between the state and the individual homeowner to protect the home, against the background of a lack of confidence in governments' ability to prevent crime and the rising sense of victimhood in popular culture and criminal justice systems. The focus of this chapter is on the legal position of the homeowner who uses lethal force in defence of their home. Illustrated by high-profile cases, developments in the law on defence and revenge are analysed and comparisons are made between the US, the UK and Australia.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vi
- Acknowledgements ix
- History of key terms x
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 The myths and meanings of home security 26
- 3 A shell for the body and mind 45
- 4 Invasions of privacy 66
- 5 Fear, crime and the home 86
- 6 Technologies of the defended home 107
- 7 Withdraw, defend or destroy 132
- 8 The fortress archipelago 152
- 9 Complexes of the domestic fortress 175
- References 194
- Index 220
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vi
- Acknowledgements ix
- History of key terms x
- 1 Introduction 1
- 2 The myths and meanings of home security 26
- 3 A shell for the body and mind 45
- 4 Invasions of privacy 66
- 5 Fear, crime and the home 86
- 6 Technologies of the defended home 107
- 7 Withdraw, defend or destroy 132
- 8 The fortress archipelago 152
- 9 Complexes of the domestic fortress 175
- References 194
- Index 220
