Doug,
I've read the law, I've resposted it here several times.
The part you've emphasized says that it WOULD expose a person to a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury. That's not the same as saying that if you
think a person
could be armed and
might resist that you have the right to shoot.
Ok, I'm not going to respond to every single comment in your previous edited post, but here are a few of the more pertinent responses I have.
And if he uses a four letter word and takes off (with your property)? no good.
READ 9.41. If he takes that response, you have legal avenues under 9.41 that DON'T include shooting him. If he escalates things then 9.42 may come into play, or you may even be able to claim self-defense depending on how he responds. A harsh response doesn't automatically justify your shooting him.
Calling the police per se isn't absurd, just the idea that if someone is stealing from you and is about to get away, you have the means to stop them and you pick up the phone and call the police and hope they arrive in time.
This is a hammer looking for a nail, IMO. Having the
means to stop someone doesn't automatically mean you have the legal right, and even having the legal right doesn't always mean you SHOULD.
It's almost a sure thing with a hardened criminal. Even a crackhead will kill so he can get merchandise to sell for dope. Why should I take any chances?
Because you don't take someone's life on the basis of speculation.
You're right, a rational, mature person will avoid if it can reasonably be avoided.
Then why are you advocating changing the laws so a person can legally kill someone in a situation where they can EASILY avoid doing so?
Sorry, but it makes no sense to agree that people should avoid killing when possible and then in the next sentence to say "But people should be able to use any means at their disposal to protect what they have earned." and mean by that they should be able to shoot anyone who steals from them without so much as challenging them or even determining that they are armed.