I believe that the murder that Johnny preformed wasn't acceptable, considering that he is just a 16 year old boy, I understand he did it for self defence, but killing someone is not good, your taking his life forever. They were scared "I am scared Johnny, what are we going to do" Ponyboy said. Murder is an act of violence and it is not adequate. I believe he could just hit them, cut them or something less dangerous or less bad.