Roman Law’s Vigilante Exception

The author cites a Justinian/late‑Roman statute granting citizens permission to kill nocturnal robbers or soldiers turned brigands, arguing that when sovereign justice cannot operate, authority to punish devolves to the people. He then insists today’s U.S. has not met that breakdown threshold and urges restraint after Kirk’s murder. — Grounding modern vigilantism debates in explicit historical legal tradition clarifies when, if ever, 'natural justice' is legitimate and reinforces a standard for political restraint.