Tennessee: Car Burglar Shot by Vehicle's Owner and Held at Gunpoint: "Memphis Police say a man caught stealing from a car was shot by the owner of the vehicle and held at gunpoint until police arrived. Police say the incident happened around 3:00 a.m., Friday, May 9, 2008, on Parakeet Drive in the Westwood area of Memphis. The owner of the burglarized SUV says he and his wife woke up to the sound of a big crash and his dogs barking. The man went outside to find out what was going on, and discovered a crook dangling from his SUV trying to steal items from inside. According to the vehicle's owner, he repeatedly told the accused car burglar to get out of the SUV. He says he was not able to see the burglar's hands and did not know if the suspect had a weapon, so he shot the crook in the buttocks. Investigators say the man then walked the accused burglar to the front porch of the house and held him there at gunpoint until police and an ambulance arrived. The accused burglar was taken to the Med in non-critical condition. Police say the SUV owner will not be charged.


Georiga teen killed breaking into home: "A 24-year-old man shot and killed a teenage intruder Friday after the youth and some other juveniles tried to break into the his northwest Atlanta home, police said. The shooting occurred around 1:15 p.m. at 1426 Hawkins St., off Chappell Road, police said. The victim was 16 years old, said Lt. Keith Meadows, commander of the Atlanta Police Department homicide unit. His name was not made public Friday afternoon. Meadows said several juveniles tried break in through a back door. They had broken a glass window pane and were trying to kick in the door, said Sgt. Lisa Keyes, a police spokeswoman. It was not clear if the suspects got the door open before the resident, who was home alone, grabbed a handgun from his back bedroom and shot fired at least eight shots, hitting the 16-year-old at least once in the face, Meadows said. Several of the bullets struck the door, police said. The other suspects ran away. Meadows said it appears that the man acted in self defense. His home had been burglarized two other times this week, and detectives were trying to determine if all the burglaries are linked. Meadows also said the teenage boy who was shot might have been arrested recently by Atlanta police on an unrelated burglary charge."


My new normal: "The state of Ohio says that I am now allowed to carry a concealed handgun. The license itself is a little plastic thing, similar to my drivers license. I keep looking at it, somewhat bemused. It bears a photo of me looking grim, some personal information, and a number that I can only assume represents my place in the line of people who have applied and been accepted before me, and those that will come after. Such a simple thing, and yet. ... As we pulled out of the driveway and headed down the street, Mike said, 'There. It's official. You are a now free person, no longer a subject.' I looked over at him and started laughing. I felt my world change. It's a wild feeling -- enormous freedom and enormous responsibility all at once."


Ohio Senate votes to strengthen self defense rights: "Ohioans should have the ability to use force and, if necessary, deadly force to defend themselves and their family against a violent intruder in their home. That belief is the genesis behind an important bill passed by the Senate in recent weeks. Senate Bill 184, legislation I am proud to cosponsor, would establish Ohio's "Castle Doctrine." For centuries, people have respected the idea that a man's home is his castle, and he should have the right to defend it and those inside from harm. This age-old adage has initiated a push for stronger self defense laws in several states over the years, including Ohio. While Ohio recognizes a person's right to self defense, current state law places the criminal and civil burden on a victim, not their attacker, to prove in court that they were truly acting to defend themselves from serious harm. For example, if a burglar wielding a gun breaks into your home and you choose to defend your family by shooting that person, you would be forced to defend your actions in front of a jury. No innocent Ohioan, who has just been through such a traumatic experience, should be put in that difficult position. SB 184 works to eliminate this unfair burden"