Principles of: a)the Law ; b)Autonomy

***"Actually, the assault charge is probably the best outcome (also, merely threatening violence is a crime in most jurisdictions, don't forget"

***### Isn't harassing strangers in public also liable to a charge? Heard of "harassment"? Me: assault charge, Interloper: harassment charge.

Actually, criminal harassment is generally limited to a situation where the victim has a reasonable fear for his or her safety, which I doubt would apply in the hypothetical case presented here.

***"The worst case scenario (particularly in pro-gun cultures like the U.S.A.) is threatening the wrong person and having them defend themselves with lethal force."

***### And the worst case scenario for THEM is if I have a gun READY for them in ADVANCE. >:)

Both of which, I'm sure, are in the child's best interest. And now you're escalating to a murder charge. And no, there's no relevant defense here.

***"In any case, it's ironic that you're so volatile when it comes to others interfering in your autonomy, while at the same time utterly denying autonomy to minors under your "ownership"."

***### I've said it before and I'll say it again... members of "society" are NOT my offspring and they have nothing to do with me. My offspring are a completely different story. They are my very own flesh, blood and CREATION. I think that says it all.

On the contrary, it says very little. Creating something does not imply ownership, nor does flesh and blood. One can create a work of art and sell it -- it then ceases to be one's own. One can donate a kidney to a friend -- you can't then call and ask for it back.

Likewise, the moment a child has matured to the point of developing her own identity, you have no further claim on her, your own flesh or no. At most, you are her protector and caretaker. You are *not* her master.