Closing Arguments: Should You Be Allowed To Protect Property With Lethal Force?

Texas rules. I want that guy as my neighbor.

yes, that is the only way people will be able to have any secruity in their home.
Otherwise, criminals will Know you can’t do anything to stop them, they will be on a rampart spree of crime, rape, murder and violence and you will not be safe in your own home.
Right now the fear of the unknown keeps them away most of the time.

IN TEXAS WE SHOOT FIRST AND ASK
QUESTIONS LATER……..
ALSO WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO CARRY GUNS.
LONG LIVE THE LONE STAR STATE…..

YES YES YES. i understand not allowing people to carry guns who are walking around the city of chicago, but u cant take the right away to protect your home/family and yes even your neighbors home.
This will keep criminals from breaking into homes if they know their heads will be blown off.

If more people did this, there’d be a whole lot less crime.

I want every criminal in the country to know that if they break into a home in Texas, they are likely to get a few rounds pumped into their body, no questions asked.

someone needs to buy that man a beer

I’ve known Joe Horn personally since the 90s. I’m glad to see the grand jury do the right thing. Joe is a peaceable man and I’d welcome him as a neighbor. I cover my neighbor and he covers me.

Your segment failed to mention that the robbers were both illegal aliens! THEY chose to commit a crime in OUR country! Dont commit crimes and you wont have to worry about being shot and.or killed! Maybe Mr. Horn should sue our government for mental anguish caused by their inability or desire to take any real action on illegal immigration! Bless Mr. Horn ..wish he was my neighbor!

YES!!! I will!! To protect my family you bet, I want that guy as my neighbor.

I do believe you should be able to protect your own property, but you shouldn’t have the right to take it upon yourself to protect your neighbors home. It’s was none of Mr. Horns business. Bet you anything if it was a black man they would have prospected and stuck him beneath the jail.

I think we should be allowed to look out for each other in our own household and our neighbors… I with I lived in texas I think I will move least I know someone has my back…

I think it’s great that this guy didn’t get charged for this. We need more people like this and there would be less criminals. Who cares about these criminals anyways.

Joe Horn takes his place as hero right beside Sheriff Joe out in AZ! Lead on, Brave Men!

A man’s home is his castle. Protect it at all costs. When seconds count the police are only a few minutes away! We must be able to protect our selves.

Yes- protection of our homes and families and our lives is our responsbility- not the government’s! I’ll take care of my own healthcare, protect my own person and family -thank you!

Should have that in Ohio. Neighbors taking care of neighbors….

The law should ALWAYS be on the side of the homeowner instead of the thieves. I’m sick and tired of people getting away with crimes in this country. No sympathy from me, the thieves brought it on themselves. It’s just one more thug off the streets.

He definitely committed a crime and should be tried.
By expanding the power to use lethal force beyond your own personal property (or even defining property too broadly), we open the door for vigilante justice. There’s a reason society decided to trust the power to enforce laws to a professionally trained sector of the community; vigilante justice results in social instability and is bad for everyone in the long-run.
It may feel good, but it isn’t right.

When seconds count the police are only minutes away. My neighbors and I have exchanged dollars between us and now we all have an interest in each others homes. With out a doubt we have an interest in protecting each other.

Your darn right… there is no one else that is REQUIRED to defend you or your property. And, I’d like to know the effect this incident has had one crime in that area? I’d bet would-be thieves are thinking twice:)

Are you shi**ng me? Of course you should be “allowed” to shoot those bastards! Stay OUT of my house if you don’t wish to be shot!

If we had more of them kind of guys here in Oklahoma criminals would think twice about it. Thank you!

Absolutely.I would have done the same thing Mr Horn did.If we dont protect our properties and our neighbors , who will? High five to you Mr Horn.Thats 2 less crooks in your streets.

Yes, who’s to say that he or another occasion Joe Horn or somebody else could of saved a life these robber would of maybe taken in the act of a crime. Joe is a hero. It would maybe make bad people think twice about committing a crime and breaking into peoples home. If you can feel safe in your own home…what’s left!?

This is TEXAS, and we look out for each others property. I don’t think that someone should be killed for this, however, maybe buckshot over head first with a warning to stop in their tracks, and if that doesn’t work, well…. pepper their butts!!! and make them drop to their knees. We live in TEXAS for crying out loud for a reason.

Surely the intruders don’t think about about robbing or shooting anyone
to get what they need or want so
certainly we should have the
right to protect ourselves and
our loved ones. As so many in
your posts say, time wasted on
waiting for someone to come to
your aid just doesn’t cut it.
Glad Texans Have The Courage And
Right To Protect !

Folks, the man was not protecting his own property rather the neighbors. His life was not in danger. What if the people he shot were relatives of the neighbor? What if it was the repo man? Bottom line Texas wrote a great law, this man has his own interpretation and charges should be filed.

No, not every Texan agrees with taking a life for property, Property can be replaced.

Lets look at this from a criminals point of view. I am planning to do a crime. Choice one is a gun free zone and the second choice is Texas. How many millions of times per day is this question asked and answered in the free market of crime.
Even in Austin!

Liberals want the criminals to have to all the rights. At least Texas has got it right. People who work and pay for their home and property should be able to protect it. Last time I checked, thief is not a legal profession. If more states had laws like this maybe crime would go down. Getting killed vs stealing a flat screen TV or jewels might just be the right medicine. Maybe the thugs will seek a new career choice. Besides dead thief don’t take up space in our prison systems which we the working tax payers have to pay for. Texas got it right.

The real question is why would ABC skew the story? I did not see the previous ABC coverage, but local coverage in Texas revealed Horn was on the phone for several minutes talking to the 911 dispatcher. I believe the Grand Jury made the correct decision. But the bigger question, if I don’t believe ABC presented the unbiased story here, why should I believe they are unbiased in any story?

GREAT DECISION! It’s time the innocent people of this country stood up against the criminals. If they fear that every citizen is armed and protected by the law if the citizen blows the criminal away we will all be safer. The outrageous incidents around Orlando show that the criminals are out of control, firing at police, running them down with their cars etc. We must all fight these outlaws.

alan wrote in a previouis post the following, “This frontier mentality and “take no prisoners” attitude in Texas is pathetic. I do not believe that it reflects the attitude of the rest of the United States.” I bet if his wife and child were being beaten to death by someone breaking into his house he wouldnt have a problem with us texans shooting someone to protect them. He must be a liberal we all the right to do anything we want. Sounds like the bible right before GOD brought forth the flood in noahs days.

Who is Kevin R? Wait till it happens to you sometime and see if you sing the same tune.

You have got to be kidding me. Has anyone even heard about what this nut did? Joe Horn saw his neighbor’s home, who he hardly knew at the time, being robbed from the safety of his own, well-armed home.
After being ordered by the dispatcher not to get involved, he trotted out behind these guys and shot them in the back… no he EXECUTED them by shooting them in the back. Joe Horn was not involved, nor was his life or property at risk, until he left his house for a bit of vigilante justice.
I’m all for Texas giving people the right to defend themselves and their families, but this wasn’t defense, it was murder. Listen to the tape… Horn cited the Castle Law as his justification for shooting these guys PRIOR to confronting the burglars outside of his neighbor’s home about property that was neither his nor in his charge. This is the story of a old man with an axe to grind who saw an opportunity for a little payback, plain and simple. How that doesn’t warrant an indictment, I can’t even fathom.

Mr Horn is a true patroit. He can move to Austin and be my neighbor anytime. We will be neighbors looking out for neighbors. The way it is supposed to be!
A fellow Texan.

mr horn gives a whole new meaning to the words neighborhood watch,, bless his heart for being a stand up guy. He should be recognized as a hero, and for setting a precedent for future incidents of criminal incursions to our neighborhoods.

Pay attention, this is complicated.
If the 2 dead men had been robbing Joe Horn’s house, yes, Joe Horn had the right to protect himself and his property. As the 2 dead men were robbing his neighbor’s house, he had no right to use deadly force.

He did what he felt he needed to do.
If they hadn’t made their decision he wouldn’t have had to make his.

He should be given a medal. We used to LEGALLY hang horse thieves in this country. The only good thief is a dead thief. I wish ALL of my neighbors were just like Mr. Horn.

From reading the responses this probably isn’t what you “fair” media people wanted. I agree with the majority, I would be proud to be neighbors with someone who was willing to help protect me, my property and my family, not being afraid of the lawyers and the criminals with more rights than honest people.

Swift and sure punishment is the only message that rings clear in the law of the streets. The Criminal Justice System might want to take another look. Wish Maryland was as brave as Texas!

We call “911″ via Smith and Wesson. This fella did what most of this law biding country’s citizens were thinking and would have done. He just saved the courts and tax payers thousands and thousands of dollars. Hurray!! for the grand jury. They got this one right !!We need more neighbors like him !!

These men were shot in the back. Yes, they were wrong for stealing and Joe Horn definitely was wrong and should be punished for what he did – murder, it was Joe Horn’s intent to KILL and he followed through. I do not understand the Grand Jury, This is so called Texas justice and it is wrong, wrong,wrong. I live in the Houston area and this is scary. The Grand Jury has made Joe a law abiding vigilante. He is proud of what he did, just listen to the tape. This man is a murderer and he knows it, I hope he has sleepless nights for the rest of his life

If this were aired more there would be less crime. But of course our liberal friends at abcommie want the opposite to be true.

It is high time we take this country back from criminals, bad govenmnt officials and illegal aliens!!! I would have shot to wound, but I would not indict Joe Horne for doing what corrects a definite wrong. Our government now sees fit to protect the criminal and prosecute the innocent! Where is this country heading?????

I echo the sentiments of those who thought Joe Horn did the right thing. As someone else pointed out, both crooks were illegal aliens from Columbia. I don’t care what your opinions on immigration are, a thief is a thief and you only have to be stolen from once to feel violated. Local minority race Houston activists are leading protests against Mr. Horn. Does that mean that they are taking up for the criminal element? If I had been Mr. Horn, I would have done only one thing different; instead of shooting to kill, I would have aimed lower and blown their legs off, and then watched them bleed to death.

Joe did the right thing. He dialed 911 and was on the phone with police dispatch for ten to fifteen minutes. Unfortunately the burglary occurred during police shift change so the response was slow. There was a cop in an unmarked car in front of Joe’s house at the time of the shootings, but did not intervene. The two bandits fatal mistakes were; They were in the USA illeagly, had no other jobs and didnt stop when Joe told them to.

The last time I checked, the penalty for burglary in Texas is not death. Whether the person is an illegal resident or not makes no difference. The laws apply equally to everyone who commits a crime – not just citizens. The dispatcher told Mr.Horn, twice, to stay in his home. Mr. Horn was defiant – he wanted it his way or no way. He was not on a trophy hunt. Yet, he shot the two men in their backs as they were retreating. What a big baby coward-they were absolutely no threat to him. His lawyer obviously had friends on the Grand Jury. Just imagine, if the two men were White and the shooter was hispanic, what do you think the result would have been. That’s right!
If we are determined to have all these hunters with ther guns locked and loaded, let’s just turn law enforcement over to them. We could save milions of dollars by eliminating our police forces and sending any measely criminal to the cemetary rather than prison. Let’s see, we tried that in the 16th century and it did not work.
It would be interesting to see the poll broken down by zip codes. That would tell the tale and I suspect it would be readily apparent that Pasadena and other places known for their red-neck cowboy mentality would account for most of the trigger happy fingers.
This is a disgrace to Houston. Mr. Horn’s actions will forever be a blight on our name. If I were he, I would be careful and always carry my guns. I suspect there will be a “take no prisoners” illegal resident who is just gunning for Horn. I sincerely hope Mr. Horn will finally get the justice he so carefully meted out. Shame on you Mr. Horn, you would we wise to study the law of Karma.

Yes! Simple as that. So should the police.

This isnt how it usually works. Most of the time the illegal alien/criminals just get wounded, sue someone and end up liveing life off the hard working tax payers. Way to go Joe “Texan” Horn.

Absolutely, we should have every right to protect our home, our family and that of our neighbors. I say, if the person who wants to become a criminal can’t take the chance of getting killed, then maybe he/she better think twice before they decide to break into someones house, or their garage or their car or truck. And the same goes for someone who is trying to break into your neighbors house, garage, or vehicle. Anybody who decides he/she doesn’t have to work for a living and decides to steal someone elses stuff that they worked hard for, then I see nothing wrong with putting them down like a rabid dog. I am sick and tired of all the bleeding hearts who say these criminals have rights. Wrong, wrong wrong, they gave up those rights the minute they thought of themselves as above the law. We would have a lot less people in prison and wouldn’t have to spend near as much money to feed and cloth these vermin as we do now. It would be a huge savings for everyone.
We should take a lesson from Kennesaw, Georgia. Those people are much safer then any one any where in the United States.

Seriously, was it ok for Joe to defend his neighbors home that was being broken into which is against the law, by two illegal aliens??? Yes, yes, yes!
Maybe if all criminals knew this could happen we would have a lot less crime. In Texas we teach our children that you should make sure that you can live with the consequences of the choices you make. They made bad choices, they got a bad consequence. Way to go Joe!!!!

Yes.Yes.Yes

I bet that wasnt their first offense…

These men,illegal immigrants, human beings, where shot in the BACK. Mr. Horn is an all out COWARD and he should be charged for the crime he committed. COWARD! COWARD! COWARD! COWARD! COWARD!

The beautiful thing about TEXAS, as well as 40 other states, we don’t have to depend on the court’s interpretation of the Second amendment of the US Constitution. The Texas Constitution, as well as 40 other states, leaves no doubt that “every citizen” has the right to bear arms. Notice there is no mention of a militia.
Texas – Article 1, Section 23 – Every citizen shall have the right to keep and bear arms in the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with a view to prevent crime.
Check your constitution! You might be surprised to find out you have the same rights.
What amazes me is all the fuss in Chicago about the the Supreme court decision. Illinois’ constitution is even more clear by using the word “individual”!
Illinois – 1.22 – Subject only to the police power, the right of the
individual citizen to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
The reason criminal activity continues to rise is because the criminals know that we have built a culture that shuns the thought of shooting someone for stealing. I have been tempted to take things that didn’t belong to me and I can promise you a decided not to because I was afraid of getting my a** shot!
We don’t play in Texas. And, I am proud of Joe Horn!

Let me know where you live so I can come over and take some of your stuff since you are not going to stop me….What are you going to do to stop me from coming over to your place and taking your stuff? You’re not going to use deadly force so get out of the way….

The Grand Jury got it right. Thank goodness for the Castle Law and similar laws in other states. Also, I am very pleased, although not at all surprised, at our Supreme Court’s ruling on the Second Amendment. There is no doubt that our forefathers meant that citizens have the right to bear arms. A simple review of the grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and wording lets one know the intent of the Second Amendment.

The Castle law is a great thing….Bottom line, if you dont want to get shot or killed, dont attept to steal, rape or murder on my property!!
Texas is the greatest state in the U.S.

This section of the Texas Penal Code is more than likely what gave Joe Horn protection from criminal, more than likely civil penalties.
§ 9.43. PROTECTION OF THIRD PERSON’S PROPERTY. A person
is justified in using force or deadly force against another to
protect land or tangible, movable property of a third person if,
under the circumstances as he reasonably believes them to be, the
actor would be justified under Section 9.41 or 9.42 in using force
or deadly force to protect his own land or property and:
(1) the actor reasonably believes the unlawful
interference constitutes attempted or consummated theft of or
criminal mischief to the tangible, movable property; or

Lethal force should only be used when all other options have been exhausted, and in my opinion Joe Horn used it as a first option. First of all, he shot to kill, not to protect himself. Also, his life was not at risk because the potential burglars were not on his property. In addition, if Mr. Horn did not trust 911 to handle the situation, why did he call them in the first place? I saw this story when it originally aired in February, and I was beyond shocked as I heard Mr. Horn brazenly gun down two men while calmly speaking to the 911 operator. This type of crime, which I am labelling as such because I believe that Mr. Horn murdered two people, should not be permissible in Texas or any U.S. state for that matter. What if the two burglars had not really been burglars, but canvassers or colporteurs that Mr. Horn mistook for thieves? I really think that the state of Texas needs to revisit this case and give Mr. Horn the punishment that he deserves.

It is very interesting that everyone’s argument is about how you should have the right to protect yourself and your property. No one mentions the fact that in this case, it involved someone else’s property. The Texas penal code sections 9.41 through 9.43 only allows deadly force to protect one’s OWN property, or someone who has the right to be in possession of it. Additionally, this is only allowed when the person reasonably believes it is the only alternative. Joe Horn neither owned any of the property or had any interest in the property. Also, he was informed that police were on the way, so he knew there was another alternative. With the policy adopted by Joe Horn, ANY amateur can grab his or her gun and shoot anyone he or she believes to be doing something against the law. Do not get me wrong, I am not an advocate for robbers. In fact, if they had tried to rob Joe Horn’s home, I would not care less if he shot them one hundred times. Here, however, I can not agree with a policy allowing someone to take on the role of the judicial system (police, judge, or jury) and shoot two people in the back for ALLEGEDLY robbing his neighbor’s home.

So we return to the lawlessness and lynch mobs of the wild, wild west? Why even bother to fund law enforcement or a judicial system? Just issue guns to everyone and see who’s left standing. This is purely the end of civilization, law and order. What a shameful state of affairs.

Yes, we should be allowed to use lethal force to protect ourselves and our neighbor’s property. It’s the American way. It has been since the founding of this country, even if they don’t teach it in history class.
My daughter thinks that we should be able to protect ourselves and not just our property with lethal force. Imagine some guy trying to rob you or worse.

My husband’s work has him traveling most of the time. All that came to my mind when I heard this story were the faces of my 2 boy’s, and imagining 2 robbers breaking into our home.
If a person doesn’t believe in Mr. Horn’s innocence then they should picture someone they dearly love being at the mercy of some intruders and maybe they would praise Mr. Horn for his bravery and not crucify him for it.

This was not defending anything, This was cold-blooded murder. This proves that people with guns just want to kill people. This is a civil rights violation and the failure of the Grand Jury to indict harkens back to the days when The KKK could kill with impunity. It is time for the federal government and the FBI to move in and arrest the Grand Jury as well as the perpetrator for civil rights violations. It is just disgusting when you listen to how eager that old coot was to go out and murder someone in cold premeditated blood.

Something else to consider that burglery of habitation is a felony in Texas. And all citizens have the right and obligation to arrest anyone committing a felony. The law authorizes the use of deadly force, if necessary, to make an arrest IF, and only IF, the arresting person witnesses the felony. Joe Horn did in fact witness the felony act and instructed them not to move. They attempted to flee and he shot them. Being in the back sure doesn’t look good for him and definitely kills a self-defense argument. Shooting them was a matter of preventing their escape. And that my friends is legal in Texas. Remember the laws says you may use use deadly force to facilitate the arrest of felon if you witness the action. The news outlets won’t tell you truth about why the Grand Jury No-billed him.

The grand jury just allowed a cold blooded murderer to walk away from his crime and issued a “shoot to kill” license for every gun owner just wanting an excuse to kill someone.
These men, no matter their status or nationality, were leaving, as in going away from Joe Horn, when he shot them in the back. That does NOT make Joe Horn a hero. Shooting someone in the back is the act of a coward.
May Joe Horn reap what he sows.

No, people should definitely not be allowed legally or illegally to do the job of the law enforcement: especially, if either they or their property is not being threaten.
It seems that whenever some gun yielding trigger happy nitwit shoots and kills someone, others of the same mind set joins with them by agreeing with their outrageous and wicked actions. When will they understand that life is precious to some people?

Last as i posted under Joe at 12:46:01am also who would do the goverment landscaping for cheap. You people say burn Joe at the cross if it happened to you, that some took all you identity and personal stuff you would think different about this.I know it took around 7 years to get my friend life straightend out after his social ser..# was stolen and sold to and illegal alien.

Hey Superman…
Let me know where you live so I can come over and take some of your stuff since you are not going to stop me….What are you going to do to stop me from coming over to your place and taking your stuff? You’re not going to use deadly force so get out of the way….

You people up north just don’t have a clue.
In TEXAS, the right to use deadly force extends beyond personal safety. Here in TEXAS, you can use deadly force to protect you own property AND YOUR NEIGHBOR’S PROPERTY.
If you don’t like our laws, keep your a** out of TEXAS!

Joe Horn had two choices. 1. Watch two criminals violate the sanctity of his neighbors home while cowering in fear. Then continue to cower in fear for the rest of his life while having nightmares about the same individuals returning to invade his own home,and possible place his family in mortal danger. 2. Eliminate the threat, and live out the rest of his life in peace.

Absolutely he had a right to protect his or his neighbors property! How much you wanna bet the criminals were Mexicans?? This country was founded on basic principles that we can speak freely, bear arms, and pledge allegiance to God. These basic principles are what makes this country so great! Black powder smells good!

I’ll bet, Houston 5th ward, laura. and matt probably broke into more than one homes themself. They were shot in the back because you don’t let a criminal turn and get aim on you!!! if their lives were worth more than a burglary than why the burglary? If You are going to commit an crime you should know that the courts may put you in jail, but a citizen will shoot you and should have the right to do so. it’s vigilante justice if the couts say its O.K.
And to those who chose to interject the subject of race, If the burgulars were white, this wouldn’t even be a story!! And Why do I get the feeling that the Texas christian probably belongs to Jerimaiah Wrights church!

Rich, you sound like you have an IQ of 60. Joe Horn did not need to cower, he took action and called the police, could have been man enough to fire warning shots instead, could have been man enough to shoot to wound instead, could have been man enough to listen to the 911 operator and stand by for the police intervention — instead he resorted to the lowest form of action possible, apparently legal, but nonetheless showing the mentality of a caveman.

Hey Rae,
I’ve seen white people rob Mexicans. What does that say about ALL white people. Nothing, stupid!

Yes, anyone should have the right to protect life, family and property. For far too long the laws were in favor of the chriminal. It’s about time the laws were changed to allow people to protect themselves from elements that have not respect for life, limb or property. They know the laww will protect them. Take a stance and say “Hell no, no more.”

Lets shoot more in all States.
Reduce the court and prison population.

Now now now …
The job was half done.
He should have shoved the shotgun up the thieve’s behind and then pulled the trigger. That way the criminals get a better understanding of how it feels to be raped by strangers just before the end of their stay on planet Earth.
Its time to TAKE BACK YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS!

This is truly a no brainer I am a law student and do believe you have the right to protect your property and that of your nieghbors when its bieng violated by criminals. Anyone who can see this in any other light must be either simple or a criminal themselves.

The bigger question now is will the ABC news staff see fit to report the overwhelming positive response to this story.

June 30 2008,
I think everyone should be justified in
protecting their property and those of their neighbors when the crime was in progress and being witnessed as they occur. We can not just sit back and let these criminals run away with the loot and maybe they will come back the next day to victimized you and your family.
A lot of cummunities in Los Angeles has a neighborhood watch and this serves as a deterrent.

Guns are for cowards. I lived in Texas for 30 years. And yes there are a lot of cowards in Texas, I’m sorry to say.

ABSOLUTLY…100% We should be able to protect our own property and our neighbors. Thank God for our Constitution!!! If we sit in fear then the criminals keep coming. If we have the right to bare arms and protect ourselves then the criminals think twice.

Yes, Texas got it right.
Criminals need to know that ANYONE
can detain them until the police
arrive and shoot them if they resist.
Neighbors must be able to look out
for and protect each other. That is
what makes for good neighbors.

Well is about time! When criminals know that we have the right to defend ourselves I think they will think twice before commiting the crime.

Goooooooood for him .If he hadnt have done it what would have happened at the next robbery? rape? murder? Iam tired of all of the criminals having all of the rights.If my neighbor was being robbed I would feel it is my duty and responsibility to protect. Apolice officer can pick and choose if they want to get involved.We as Americans NEED to have each others back!!!!!!!!!!

Law enforcement can not be every where all the time. It is not their purpose or responsibility. Their function in society is to enforce the rules we as citizens choose to enact. Yes, we have laws or rules against crime.
However, it is completely unrealistic to believe that our appointed law enforcement officers are either prescient or clairvoyant. The hard truth is, try as many of them do, they can not be everywhere all of the time and prevent every crime. When they do it is a through hard work on the ivestigative side or chance (being in the right place at the right time.) When it happens an officer is right there, johnny on the spot as it were, it is a bonus. Be glad that it happens as often as it does.
We as citizens can not and should not abdicate our responsibility for protecting ourselves, our families, our neighbors or our property. We are part of the overall law enforcement system as law abiding citizens and the people who ultimatly create the laws we ask our law enforcement professionals to enforce. We have responsibility to our neighbors in a civil society. Just because it was next door should we ignore the crime. pretend it did not happen just because it was not us, our home. What is it was a rapist would this question even have been asked.
It is unfortunate the deceased chose a life of crime, chose to steal, chose not to surrender. Sometimes self help wether for yourself or your neighbor is the right thing to do. It help maitain a civil society. For crime to run rampant all it take is for good people to do nothing. That does not mean it is open season on criminals but, the criminal element will be on notice.
My family is Swiss originally, They have automatic weapons in every home. The swiss also have a very civil society with very little crime.

Ah…Texas. Where you can just kill anyone who might annoy you on a given day, then rush into court and say “I had to protect myself. . .I felt threatened.”
A conservative’s favorite wet dream? Live gunfights on their main streets after the saloons close every Saturday night.

YES, of course he did the right thing, and if you are not willing to protect yours and your neighbors life & property with any means you deem necessary your not much of a man, American, or even descent human. Until everyone has there own armed policeman 24 hours a day you have to protect yourself, anything less is stupid. Poor ABC, I don’t think there biased propaganda story converted anyone to there (the dark) side. Here in the communist state of Oregon they would call him a terrorist and bury him.

It was a DSAF shooting.
(Did Society A Favor)

I wish Mr.Joe would come and be my neighbor. I am tired of repairing doors and windows after attemps have been made to get in my home. We need more like him and fewer parasites like the two he shot.
Did anyone check where those guys were living? The fat girlfriend home? I bet she is was recieving and enjoying some of the goods those two pieces of trash were dragging home.
Go Joe.

It wasn’t Mr Horn’s home they were breaking into and he was never threatened. There was no reason for him to go outside with a gun and shoot them. Instead he chose to go outside and shoot to kill. His shooting them in the back speaks for itself. He went out there to kill two people and he did it and now the state of Texas says, hey, that’s okay – you killed two people but they were only illegal aliens – it doesn’t matter. Mr Horn deliberately killed two men and he’ll have to answer for that on judgement day.
I too wonder what would have happened if Mr Horn had been black or Hispanic and killed two white men. Would they have let him off so lightly? I doubt it.
I wouldn’t want Mr Horn as my neighbor!!

I think it’s outrageous that the grand jury declined to indict Joe Horn. I read a number of the posted comments, and frankly, I think it’s sad. It makes me ASHAMED to be an American! What’s wrong with people in this country, particularly in the state of Texas??? These people invoke the name of God – “God bless Texas”, “God bless Joe Horn.” They say they have the right to protect themselves, their families, & their property, which is all well and good. But did these people READ/WATCH and UNDERSTAND the facts of this case? The two men Joe Horn shot, while they should not be absolved from their criminal acts were robbing A NEIGHBOR’S HOUSE – NOT Joe Horn’s house. In fact, Joe Horn said he didn’t even KNOW the neighbor whose house was being robbed. Furthermore, the 911 tape clearly shows that Joe Horn was REPEATEDLY told NOT to leave his house and take action against the perpetrators. Yet, after being told to stay in his house and wait until the police arrived, Joe Horn took it upon himself to shoot the two men – yes, men (i.e. HUMAN BEINGS)IN COLD BLOOD, siting a law that he KNEW would protect him from being punished for MURDERING these two men. The men were not in any way ‘threatening’ Joe Horn. In fact, the investigation showed they were RUNNING AWAY FROM Joe Horn when he shot them. So given the FACTS of the case, was Joe Horn justified in his actions? I THINK NOT!

To the “jay, jasper, mr bill, & disgusted in tn”‘s, you all just don’t get it. First, these were CRIMINALS with a long list of crimes behind them, not mid-guidedf Sunday school attendees. The fact they’re illegally in our country really isn’t the issue, BUT THEY WERE ILLEGALLY in our country!! Also, WAIT FOR THE POLICE??? Why isn’t anyone questioning why it took the police sooo long to get to the scene of an on-going robbery—- it seems like the police wanted the burglars to get away, in order to avoid the dangerous confrontation with the criminals. Which left a citizen to have to take the responsibility of defending his neighborhood into his own hands! Then, the 911 dispatcher — could he have been more passive?? The way the dispatcher was talking you’d think he was talking to a “kindergartner” about not misbehaving!! I think Mr. Horne acted appropriately & I DO HOPE FUTURE CRIMINALS stop & think before breaking into someone’s home or car — for that matter.

You people are so confused or just plain ignorant. In the case of Horn, there was no one in the home in which the men burglarized. No human life was in jeopardy, nor did they attempt to rob or harm Mr. Horn. They were not even aware of his presence NEXT DOOR! He blatantly went out to kill them. He could have wounded them instead, or just take a description, hell, take a picture and turn it over to the police when the arrived.
Yes, we should be able to defend ourselves and family if/when we are being threatened.
There is a difference, are you people to ignorant to acknowledge that? My guess is, YES!

YES

Here’s an idea, why don’t all you people that think Mr. Horn was wrong, publish your addresses. This way the criminals will know where the easy targets will actually be and their line of work will be a safer one. You don’t seem to care what could have happened to Joe had he not protected himself, so why not let it be you. It’s about time somebody takes a stand against the unevolved.

What mr.Horn did was wrong, i don’t care if theres a law that says killing people over property is right, i dont care who tries to justify what he did, because quite frankly i don’t think there is a justification for taking a life, a life is a life, if they were trying to kill him then i would understand a little more but the fact that he was in no danger and the police were on there way to take care of the criminals makes mr.horn a murderer, and it sickens me that some people actually said that they would love to have mr.horns as a neighbor that they would love to live next to a murderer. i mean what has humanity come to when a piece of land is more valueble then two human lives.

If someone is IN my house I have the right to protect myself and family. Not property but life! I would not have second thoughts about shooting to protect ourselves. Only 2 years ago someone walked into my house- I came out w/ a loaded shotgun! Amazing how fast one can run when they hear the click of a shotgun shell entering a chamber of a gun! Any questions?
Didn’t think so! WE have the Right to Own and Use Guns!
YOU do NOT have the right to protect the neighbors property, you have the right to call 911.
But you come into MY house when I’m in it… you have your choice “over or under”!

I’m sorry but that broad singing the wrong lyrics to The Star Spangled Banner that I just saw on Nightline rubbed me the wrong way. She should sing only the correct lyrics or not at all!

Mr. Horn, I suspect isnt the first person whose shot someone over his/her property. I dont think those robbers had to die because they tried to rob him.
If we were all lawfully owning guns, I’d be more scared.

Lets apply Mr. Horns actions to identy theft also.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROTECT OUR PROPERTY WITH LETHAL FORCE IF WE’RE BEING ATTACKED.