New Yorker gets in trouble for defending family

[Q9]

Quote:
The typical AK-47 magazine is 30 rounds, so 4 warning shots seems reasonable, especially since the AK is extremely easy to reload. You can actually get 40 and 50 round mags if you look hard enough.

 

[Q9]

mom'sfolly :

I read the actual news reports. It sounded like it was an unliscensed gun....that will get you into big trouble in NY.

The cops say he got it legally, and he has no criminal record.​

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
Assume he just went with standard, 30. 4 seems reasonable IF there were only 5 guys there. Plenty, 26, leftover for them should they be dumb enough to attack.

However if there were 25 (assuming he managed an accurate head count, could have been 22 or 27 or ??) then using 4 rounds for warnings would only leave 26... one spare.

Another reason it seems like he fired and THEN the other 20 came. Just my perception, but if they manage to prove that he opened fire when it was only 5 (outnumbered but not by dozens) then it could bite him hard... 1 they'll figure he could have waited and 2 he'll make himself out to be a liar, a major no no in court.

Wels posted about how cases go... I donno that area so I can't say. But if they're hard on folks then this guy could be in deep doo. If they're known for going light, then maybe he'll just have to waste time and money defending himself. Either way, no fun.

And all because some morons needed their dose of Bully Satisfaction for the day. Can't earn a living, can't stay in school, can't be a decent human being, so they become one of these idiots so they can still feel like a productive person... rather pitiful really.

 

[welsummerchicks]

"There's no case against this man"

Well someone seems to think there is! Like the judge and the court! And I bet the judge is fairly familiar with the laws that pertain to this situation.

Why does anyone believe the news media would have a complete, unbiased report?

Normally when I dig into a case in detail, I find out that the news media report was the most dishonest thing about the whole case! Incredibly biased. Usually to invoke a sense of outrage and anger - why? So people will keep coming back to their news paper or web site. They KNOWINGLY create an exciting, outrage-inducing version of the events.

Suggestion 1 - when a group of people acost you, displaying a weapon brings the interaction to a whole new level, one that probably isn't going to end how you want. Learn to diffuse, instead of escalate, situations. Better yet, try to have a little common sense and don't put yourself in dangerous situations. That unguarded parking lot? That dark street in a bad neighborhood at night? Duuuuh.....

Suggestion 2 - who knows the law the best? Usually, criminals. Having been through the system a time or two, they probably know the laws and how cases go better than someone who hasn't. Caveat emptor.

 

[Q9]

Quote:
Excellent point. One rule of thumb I've read several times: If you HAVE to use a gun in self-defense, make sure the judge only gets to hear your side of the story.

Very true about the media. However, having looked at quite a few articles, they all generally agree on the situation. The odd thing is, they are biased TOWARDS the guy with the gun. I would expect that they would be twisting this into a case for gun control. It strikes me as rather odd.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I think one of the big issues is probably the fact that he escalated the situation. He went inside, and came out with the gun. He turned some sort of shouting match with 3-5 guys into an armed confrontation, that drew additional people into the situation. Yes, he may have felt threatened, yes he was outnumbered, yes more came after he fired; but, he was the one who left and then came back.

It is hard to find the actual news on this situation, and only one article I could find did not have opinion added. This makes it difficult to know what the actual situation was, especially since the only person who appears to have said anything about the number of "assailants" is the "victem". The wife and his cousin, who were both at the scene don't seem to have been interviewed by anyone. I think there is probably more to the story.

Having lived in New York State, I know that it is one of the more ethnically diverse and ethnically divided areas I've ever been; and it gets worse in the City and near the city. Every little group seems to hate the others that share the area with them. The fact that the there were different ethnic groups on either side is probably telling.

 

[PineappleMama]

Quote:
Yeah, I'm curious why more attention isn't being paid to a mob/gang of 20-25 people out harassing citizens... honestly if this was my neighbor I'd be MUCH more concerned about that mob than I would be about this one guy. Bad things happen when animals hunt in a pack... this could have been so much worse. They're calling him down for his actions, but they're totally ignoring this mob (if not gang) that's out causing problems in the first place.

Something a little off about that.

 

[nonseq]

It's not odd. It's a hero spin, not a fear the gangs spin. How many movies pit the underdog, the lone defender of liberty against the ravening mob? It's a common motif and especially popular in the US.

 

[AngieChick]

mom'sfolly :

I think one of the big issues is probably the fact that he escalated the situation. He went inside, and came out with the gun. He turned some sort of shouting match with 3-5 guys into an armed confrontation, that drew additional people into the situation. Yes, he may have felt threatened, yes he was outnumbered, yes more came after he fired; but, he was the one who left and then came back.

If this is the case, it seems to be at least partly a case of a runaway ego (or a bunch of egos) and stubbornness. Honestly, if I had several thugs on my lawn my reaction would be to apologize for any perceived insult, back inside and hide, with my gun, while awaiting the arrival of the police. I wouldn't care who is right or who is wrong when the safety of my family is at stake. What do I care if some thugs thought they won an argument with me and that I am a coward? I'm alive and my family is safe. My self confidence is not so delicate that I care what other people think of me, especially thugs. Also, the thought of a stray bullet hitting an innocent bystander (could even be that cute little kid down the street on his bike...) would haunt me. Is my ego worth their life? This is real life, not the movies, the likelihood of someone being hurt or killed unintentionally is very very high. That's why we have laws about shooting guns in residential areas, it's due to some very sad past events.

Call the cops, it's why we have them.​

 

[welsummerchicks]

"I think one of the big issues is probably the fact that he escalated the situation. He went inside, and came out with the gun"

The minute you walk away and go get a gun, it is no longer self defense. And I think this law is - absolutely right. If you can walk away to get a gun, you can just keep walking and NOT come back.