You mention that the legal system does not allow you to take lethal action unless you are in immediate danger. This is only partly true. You have to RESONABLY think that your own or anyone near you could be killed if you do not react with deadly force, be it a firearm, knife, pipe or your fists. You mention that the attacks will be a surprise. I agree totally that it will most likely be a surprise, but vigilance is key to minimise that risk. When you are caught by surprise, and take a tumble, sure they might jump you immediately and you might be injured, but being injured does not take you out of the fight. The human body and mind is a lot tougher that you think. Remember there is a difference between getting surprised and handing over your belongings and being in a fight for your life when they pushed you off the bike and started stabing or what ever. With regards to your home invation, firstly glad to hear that you and your family are ok. When you are confronted by a burglar in your own home, the law does not expect you to flee your home or give up. It is reasonable to think that they are there to hurt you and your family. You mentioned that they ran as soon as they saw you, this will most definitely now always be the case, and who is to say they were not running towards your child's room to use her has a hostage? Remember you only have to RESONABLY think their/your life is in danger. You will most probably have to defend your reasoning, so do not defend your plasma tv with deadly force, you will most probably go to jail, and I do not believe personally that the burglar deserves to die because he stole something from me. Also remember that a policeman is not the law, and he most probably knows less about it that you. When I am confronted while on my bike, I would HOPEFULLY realise that there is an unlawful attack on my person and would draw my firearm and defend myself. When someone jumps infront of me like in the infamous gopro video, I would look to escape or I will use my firearm. When I am surprised and pushed off my bike on a downhill I would not get up and engage them, I would let them take my bike and leave, however when I am lying in the floor and he stabs me or hacks me with his panga he will be shot. Like I said, being stabed or shot or what ever does not necessarily mean you are out of the fight. My approach to this is the following: I have a firearm, I am well trained in using it, I made sure I know the law regarding my firearm and when I am allowed to use it. I truly hope that I do not have to use it, but I am more that prepared to do so if need be. That need is defined by the protection of my or my loved ones' life, NOT the protection of my property. Now I am not willing to bet on the nice attacker's humanity to just take my bike and leave me unharmed.
