Assault and Batteries?

[draftermatt]

Rahmota,

I have no problem with people defending themselves. And I'm not arguing that people shouldn't do that. However, I really don't think pulling a gun was a valid response. That is overreacting pure and simple.

Any sane person would have turned away from the offending laser so it wasn't in their eyes and gone and got security.

Tell me. If you were in an argument and you said something that could be construed as a threat, how would you like someone pulling a gun on you?

Wouldn't you prefer it if you talked it through rationally?

Sometimes violence is neccesary, but he who resorts to violence when there are other options available is a fool.

[Banrion]

Tell me. If you were in an argument and you said something that could be construed as a threat, how would you like someone pulling a gun on you?

A threat is a threat, be it from some punk ass kids, or militant martians, and will be responded to in kind. I don't threaten something if I am not willing to follow through on it, and assume that others behave similarly. So yes, if I said to someone "I'm gonna kill you." I mean it, and if said person happened to be armed it would be entirely appropriate to to brandish said weapon in an attempt to disuade me. But these kids took it one step further, and not only threatened the gentleman, they took steps to blind and distract him, that is not only a threat, but a full on assault. He had every reason to belive that he was being attacked and every right to react to imminent bodily harm.

[kibbles]

Sorry but I still say that old guy was totally in the wrong. You are only allowed to defend yourself with as much force as needed. Even if someone is being threatened or attacked, it is not a license to respond with unrestrained violence..i.e. pulling a gun on someone.

[Banrion]

Sorry but I still say that old guy was totally in the wrong. You are only allowed to defend yourself with as much force as needed. Even if someone is being threatened or attacked, it is not a license to respond with unrestrained violence..i.e. pulling a gun on someone.

No, FIRING the gun would have been unrestrained violence, simply making it known that he had a gun and was prepared to use it is not in and of itself violent.

[kibbles]

I still say IMO that pulling a loaded weapon that could accidentally go off is unrestrained violence. He got what he deserved IMO.

[JustADude]

I still say IMO that pulling a loaded weapon that could accidentally go off is unrestrained violence. He got what he deserved IMO.

So you're accusing the guy of having an illegally modified trigger mechanism on his weapon? That's even more of a stretch than saying the guy was familiar with laser-sights. A legal, properly maintained weapon doesn't go off 'accidentally' unless they're jolted severely while chambered and cocked, so your whole argument is moot.

Yes, he did over-react a little, he just responded to an assault by two little punks... and yes, they assaulted him. By shining the laser in his eyes they provoked the perception of threat, which is what assault IS, so why don't you quit hiding behind 'guns are bad' and justify how a pair of bratty teenagers can get away scott-free with assaulting an old man who they THOUGHT was helpless?

[kibbles]

So you're accusing the guy of having an illegally modified trigger mechanism on his weapon? That's even more of a stretch than saying the guy was familiar with laser-sights. A legal, properly maintained weapon doesn't go off 'accidentally' unless they're jolted severely while chambered and cocked, so your whole argument is moot.

Sorry but I never accused anyone of having an illegally modified trigger mechanism on the weapon, so please don't put words into my mouth. It is possible for a gun (legally and properly maintained) to go off, it may be rare but it doesn't eliminate the possibility. And I wasn't stating an argument, so my argument is not moot, I was merely stating an opinion, that's all.

And I fail to see how my stating a simple opinion meant that I was hiding behind "guns are bad", and where in my post did you ever see me say that the teenagers should have got off scott free. If you had read my previous post you would have seen me say that the teenagers should have been punished, but sorry I still stand by my opinion that the guy got what he deserved.

[KuzcoLlama]

This is just going back and forth and missing the original post, so it is now closed.

Anyone wishing to continue the issue may take it over to Fratching.