What would you do to protect yourself as a store owner?📍Glendale, California

Love it.

How about this:  An invisible electric shock 'fence' like those used to keep dogs within (or out of) a certain area.  Install at doors and windows fronting the store.  When something like this starts up, and it is an obvious grab-fest, then flip the switch, also wired to calling 911.  Those leaving (with or without merchandise) would get a "shock", similar to a tasing, even as they approach to break windows to get out.  Of course have the appropriate warning signage at the door.  Provide a safe exit space (room, outside) for employees to retreat to. 

Similar to auto-locking of doors by the flip of a switch used in small businesses subject to robberies, giving time for police to arrive. 

Candy

That's a shame.

And Democrats arent nominating the rioters to be president.   I guess that might be a small difference between our side and yours.

  Just what in hell does "nominating the rioters to be president" have to do with thieves robbing, looting and stealing in stores?

Our side vs. yours?  Didn't realize there was a side we are supposed to be on.  I'm American, are you?  I'm on the side of freedom, and right to protect myself and my property from all invaders, foreign and domestic.  I'm for the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution, and believe that all people, regardless of gender, are equal under the law. I believe we need to fight oppression and tyranny, and that the government works for the people, not for their own agendas. 

What side are you on? 

It means that you're a fucking hypocrite for being pro-riot and pro-murder when the criminals are your gang. 

Your "side" is overly simplistic. Do I want myself or others to have absolute freedom? Hell, no, and I'll bet you don't either! AND...part of the social contract is that we delegate the use of deadly force to legalized authority except when our lives are in imminent danger.

Everybody a'packin' heat and being prepared to gun down anyone who looks at them funny is a macho fantasy, but towns in the American West in the19th century very quickly got away from that when they wanted to become civilized.

I also don't think the instant death penalty, with no judge or jury, is appropriate for shoplifting. It may feel satisfying to talk that way but really, does anybody want to just toss the police and legal systems in the crapper?

That's my "side." 

I would be happy if anyone even considering shoplifting thought it was remotely possible that they could be stopped, searched, arrested, booked, and possibly shot if he/she, the shoplifter, escalated the situation.   That would be enough, the threat being there and everyone knowing it.  But shoplifters by definition have disregard for the law, for my rights not to have prices elevated secondary to shoplifting.  I'm thankful I was raised to have regard for the law.

But, let me tell you a personal story.  I was, I think, around 3-4 years of age, taken with mom to a store where she would do some shopping.  I had sort of drifted away from her side, attracted to a table of really interesting (to me) things like lipsticks or powders, etc.  Items on that table fascinated me enough want at least one of them, though I'd not have a clue what to do with it.  I remember thinking that mom would probably not include it in her purchases, so the solution was that I would put it in my pocket.  Right?  Little kids want what they want and they want it right now.  Didn't think of myself as doing anything wrong, just avoiding an argument with mommy.  At just about the second that lipstick or whatever was about to reach my pocket, a female store clerk called to me "Honey, would you like to pay for that?"   And she said it nicely.  Gasp!!!!!  No, I didn't want to pay for it.  Four year olds don't carry money (at least back then they didn't, nor cell phones, nor...but I digress).  Oh, gosh.  The store lady and I both knew I was about to take something that in all likelihood I wouldn't be paying for.  Embarrassed?  Oh, hell yes!  Somehow I knew.

I swear, that was maybe the number one occasion that taught me that I do not ever reach for something that I do not intend to pay for.   I don't recall specific teaching about honesty and all that from the parents.  I'm sure they must have mentioned it at some point, probably many points.  But on that occasion 72 years ago I got totally and permanently 'vaccinated' against any desire to take something that I didn't pay for.  Thank you, store lady, wherever you are now.  Ten gazillion moments in my life, few I remember at all.  But that one stuck.

Candy 

And would the store manager have been justified if you had put that lipstick in your pocket and she had shot you?

      As usual, lying Lewis has missed the whole point of Candy's post and has done the typical liberal thing, namely, made up a never happened scenario to justify thieves stealing.