Break in, Catch a Bullet

01/24/2001 Condon Declares "Open Season" on Home Invaders-Press Release

Says No Charges or Prosecution of Homeowners Using Deadly Force

(Columbia, S.C.) Attorney General Charlie Condon today announced that he is declaring "open season" on home invaders. In a Memorandum to all Solicitors, Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Condon directed that citizens acting to defend their homes will not be arrested, charged or prosecuted. Condon said the policy was necessary in the wake of a rash of recent home invasions in North Charleston and elsewhere throughout
the State.

"As Chief Prosecutor of South Carolina, I am today declaring open season on home invaders. That season is year-round," Condon said. "Citizens protecting their homes who use force even deadly force will be fully safeguarded under the law of this State and subject to no arrest, charge or prosecution. In South Carolina, would-be intruders should now hear this: invade a home and invite a bullet."

Condon cited a "recent rash of home invasions by gang members and other criminals." He said gang activity is rising sharply in South Carolina. Condon also referenced a string of break-ins in North Charleston and an incident in Columbia recently where a victim managed to fight off home invaders with a sword. The Attorney General noted that in Richland County, deputies believe 4 men were responsible for 90 home invasions in the last year. Condon said that the new policy is also being instituted to warn criminals of what faces them as a result of home invasion and to let homeowners know their rights.

Condon said the case law in South Carolina "gives iron-clad protection to the citizen in safeguarding his or her home. Inside the citizen's home, there are no legal technicalities for the criminal to rely on." Force even deadly force may be used, ruled the Court, "if such degree of force be reasonably necessary to accomplish the purpose of preventing a forcible entry against his will." Condon said the new "open season on home invaders" policy will assist law enforcement in protecting private property and homes against break-ins because "law enforcement officers cannot be everywhere at once." Said Condon, "home invaders will think
twice, and even a third time, knowing the risk of their own death is waiting on the other side of the innocent homeowner's door."

"The home is the family's fortress of protection," Condon said. When at home, people rightfully feel they are standing on sacred ground. The citizen's home is the line in the sand where criminals dare not cross."

Copyright ©2001 South Carolina Attorney General's Office. All Rights Reserved.

Explanation: The reason why Condon's press release did not affect the overall criminal activity in South Carolina was because the criminal element knew that this "edict" would never trickle down to the basic elements in South Carolina: the counties and the towns. There wasn't an anchor for his words to grab onto. With the Kennesaw Ordinance in place, and our local politicians having to stand firm on an Ordinance that puts fear into the heart of the criminal, then his idea would take hold. There was one town it had an effect, Charleston. The criminals were leaving there in droves, after this press release was aired.

Criminals seek the path of least resistance. If they feel they are going to be hitting a united front of armed civilians, if they know that the ordinance is being backed at our county and local levels, if they believe that the politicians are going to be hard-core about cleaning up our communities, their fear (the criminals fear) will drive them out of our communities. Melissa and Neal Seaman