I read about this earlier today and wondered if it would end up on Gaf.
I generally agree with the right to defend yourself in your own home, but do believe that he went well above that here. The article I read earlier though quoted his brother as saying that the man had been burglarized 8 times in the past and had lost quite a lot of stuff. I think he was just fed up and took it all out on these two kids.
From msnbc.com:
Smith's brother, Bruce Smith, told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis that the incident was the eighth burglary at Byron Smith's home in recent years.
The only report the Morrison County sheriff's office has for a break-in at the home was for one on Oct. 27. It shows Byron Smith reported losing cash and gold coins worth $9,200, plus two guns worth $200 each, photo equipment worth more than $3,000 and a ring worth $300.