Texas state legislator Boris Miles, a democrat from Houston, shot and wounded one of two men he found attempting to steal copper pipes from his home that is under construction on South MacGregor Way. Miles has a concealed weapons permit which allows him to carry a gun.
Miles says he has to carry a weapon for protection, especially when he is visiting the district he represents. I guess we are to assume that it’s a tough neighborhood?
The representative stopped by the construction site on Sunday and found some water problems. He went home to change his clothes. He returned and was upstairs in his house when he heard noises downstairs. He went down and caught two men cutting copper pipes. One man threw a small pocket knife at Miles.
Miles, being a former law enforcement officer, drew his weapon and fired, with the intention of only wounding the man. He hit him in the leg. According to the Houston Chronicle, miles defended his actions this way.
“Had I had the option of calling the authorities prior to the shooting, I would have done so, but with my life in clear and present danger and being immediately threatened by a knife-throwing burglar, I had no choice but to fire for my own protection,”
That’s the way it should be for all of us. As a matter of fact, many states are now creating better, more well defined laws that clearly state that a person has the right to use deadly force if necessary to defend themselves, their families and property. This new legislation is often referred to as the “Castle Doctrine”.
Recently, the state of Texas voted on just such a measure. It passed by an overwhelming majority in a vote of 133 – 13 in the House of which Miles is a member. The bill is Senate Bill 378. Of the 13 voting against that bill, Miles was one of them.
One would have to ask if he had to vote on that issue today, would he vote the same way?
No charges have been filed against Miles but authorities are continuing their investigation.
Tom Remington
