Hacker News Reader

FYI: We have been given the right to self defence in our own homes now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-13957587

Given the way British law works I'd wait until a few high-profile cases have established a firm precedent to get too excited. Nevertheless, compared to the situation previous this is somewhat of an improvement.

Indeed. The last high profile case didn't work out very well for the defender did it, but I guess that was largely due to the robber being shot in the back. [1]

I think the change is law is to help clarify this a little more. In reality, once the perps in this case dived out the window, they could have pulled weapons and started shooting themselves.

I'd sooner face jail than that possibility.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Martin_(farmer)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com