Clifford Stauffer, a self-taught tradesman from rural Alberta, was brutally murdered in June 2021 at the age of 83. Stauffer, who had a passion for building and riding, was attacked by a group of four to five individuals who bludgeoned him to death and set his house on fire with his body inside. They then stole his van. Only three members of this group faced charges, with two, Linden Buffalo and Donovan Lightning, convicted of manslaughter and sentenced in 2024 to less than two years in prison. Lightning was released by June of that year and was later arrested for new crimes and violating probation.

Stauffer's tragic death highlights the serious implications of home invasions. The incident raises questions about the effectiveness of the legal system in punishing offenders. Many believe that the current self-defense laws in Canada do not adequately protect victims. Under these laws, individuals can only claim self-defense if they respond with "reasonable" force to a threat. This has led to public sympathy for Jeremy McDonald, a man from Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, who has been charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after allegedly defending himself against a burglar, Michael Breen, at 3 a.m.

Details about the McDonald-Breen case remain scarce, but police assert that McDonald used unreasonable force during the incident. This has sparked outrage among the public, who are demanding more information. Questions arise about the nature of McDonald's actions—did he use excessive force? The lack of clarity from law enforcement has left many feeling that McDonald may not have acted improperly.

The debate surrounding self-defense laws is complex. While the reasonableness standard can lead to just outcomes in clear-cut cases, it becomes problematic when criminals are injured or killed during their unlawful actions. Some view this as a form of justice or karma, serving as a deterrent to potential burglars. However, the burden often falls on the victim, who may face legal challenges and financial strain while defending themselves in court.

This situation mirrors the case of Peter Khill, a former Canadian Forces reservist who shot and killed Jonathan Styres in 2016 while Styres was rummaging through Khill's vehicle. Khill, fearing for his life, called 911 after the shooting. He described the encounter, stating, "He was in the truck with his hands up — and not like, not with his hands up to surrender, but his hands up pointing at me. It was pitch black, and it looked like he was literally about to shoot me, so I shot him." Although Styres had a knife, he was unarmed at the time of the shooting.

Khill was initially acquitted, but this verdict was overturned by the Ontario Court of Appeal, leading to a new trial. His appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada was denied, and after a mistrial in the second trial, he was ultimately convicted in a third trial. The outcomes of these cases continue to fuel discussions about the adequacy of self-defense laws in Canada and the challenges faced by individuals who defend themselves against intruders.