"They can't shoot first without being the assailant. You have to be in imminent danger. That means that you can only shoot me if I draw on you first (yes, this is quite simplified)." Rapaire

Liz, I don't understand your :"I point you to the case of farmer Tony Martin, who, ten years ago, used an unlicensed shotgun to shoot at two men who were breaking into his house. One was killed, the other wounded and Tony Martin was jailed for manslaughter. The 'rule' is not hard and fast."

To my mind, your example is a classic case of the 'shoot first, get arrested' scenario that Rap propounded.

In this country, by the way, it is not considered self-defense when you are defending only personal property. Only if you or another person are in fear of your life are you allowed to shoot or to kill. So, in this country also, Tony Martin would have served time.