[divemedic]

OK, so as a store owner, I confront a man who I believe to be shoplifting. I attempt to escort him to security to await the law. When I do so, the miscreant pulls out a knife. I draw a firearm and shoot him dead.

Did I just use deadly force to protect property? Should I have backed off and let him go? If so, at what point? When I saw him steal? When he pulled the knife? If all store owners let shoplifters go, how long until all stores are out of business?

So, a farmer sees a miscreant stealing his truck. He attempts to confront the thief. The thief attempts to run him down, so the farmer pulls a gun and shoots the thief.

Did the farmer just use deadly force to protect property? Should the farmer have backed off and let him go? If so, at what point? When the farmer saw him steal the truck? When he tried to run the farmer over? If all farmers let thieves go, how long until all farms are out of business?