Defending your property....
More of a defensive device than a weapon, land mines are the scourge of many countries where IRRESPONSIBLE use has lead to many deaths and amputations. The following question has no connection to the large mine fields found in places like Afghanistan, but instead refers to our rights to protect our homes and families.
Should we be allowed the right to protect our land with the use of concealed land mines?
Strict controls would obviously need to apply.
1 - Mined areas must be clearly marked.
2 - Mined areas must be innaccesable to small children and, if possible, animals by use of a high walls or sturdy fences at least 8 feet tall to create a no-mans-land area.
3 - The main acces route to the property must be free of mines to allow access for emergency services.
Mines are already available in various strengths and with several kinds of trigger devices. The sort I would use (and there would be several on the market if they were lagal) would probably just maim the intruder. This would be unpleasant for the criminal but nowhere near as fatal as well a well aimed shotgun shell.
I first introduced this proposal to a canvasser from Amnesty International, who knocked on my door asking for money to support their bid for an international ban on land mine use.
After a lengthy and heated debate she left; empty handed but more determined than ever.
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