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View Full Version : CCW Blunder!! (DAMN)



Colorado Luckydog
05-27-2010, 21:10
What's going to happen to this guy? With all the good press we have seen lately about CCW's or homeowners protecting themselves, we sure didn't need this dumbass. How could you be that stupid??

http://www.kgw.com/news/Man-arrested-after-shooting-at-robbers-94897679.html


GRESHAM, Ore. -- A man who was trying to be a Good Samaritan was arrested Tuesday after police said he fired his gun twice at a getaway car used by thieves.
Gresham police said two thieves stole about $2,800 worth of cell phones from the AT&T store on NW Division St. near NW Eastman Pkwy. at around 7:45 p.m. As the thieves were driving away, a customer inside the store stepped out, pulled out a gun, and fired two rounds at the car, aiming for the tires, according to Sgt. Rick Wilson.
Sgt. Wilson said Roger Witter, 48, had a concealed weapons permit but he was at fault for firing the shots in a public area, even though no one was injured in the shooting.
In an interview with KGW, Witter said he was sure he didn't put anyone in danger and he was trying to help.
“I felt it was the right thing to do, I never pointed my weapon at anybody. The shots were controlled shots at the car,” Witter said. "I would do it again."
Wilson said Witter fired in the direction of a TriMet bus stop while trying to stop the robbers and that was a risky thing to do. The robbers still managed to escape.
Police arrested Witter on several charges, including unlawful use of a weapon and reckless endangerment. He was released from the Multnomah County Jail overnight on his own recognizance.
"By Witter's own admission, he never felt that his life or anyone else's life was in danger," Sgt. Wilson said. "He was just trying to detain the suspects for police... It is important to remember that no matter how frustrated one may be with crime and the criminal justice system, it is not permissible to use deadly force in this type of situation. Those two rounds could've gone anywhere... in fact, we're still not sure where they went."
Gresham police continue to look for the suspects. They're described as possibly being in their 20s, African-American, 5'10", 150 lbs., skinny, and possibly driving a silver Chrysler car, possibly a 4-door Sebring. They were both wearing blue jeans and hoody-type jackets.
Police believe the suspects are also responsible for another AT&T store theft at Mall 205 in Portland, which occurred about 30 minutes prior to the theft in Gresham. An AT&T representative said in a statement that the company is taking the matter very seriously and employees are cooperating with law enforcement.

argonstrom
05-27-2010, 21:16
"By Witter's own admission, he never felt that his life or anyone else's life was in danger"

Idiot.

Irving
05-27-2010, 21:16
I heard about this as well. I wouldn't have done that.

The police should check Craig's List for those phones.

GreenScoutII
05-27-2010, 22:55
Wrong thing to do, but I'm sympathetic. I've had moments where I wish the lawful use of deadly force would be extended to property crimes.

Guy's heart was in the right place, but he wasn't thinking. Pity....

sniper7
05-27-2010, 23:07
I understand the guy wanting to stop the thieves....but over some cell phones? not even close to being worth it. no sense in killing someone, even the thieves (which could have happened if he hit the tire and they crashed or worse if they hit a pedestrian) all over some lousy cell phones which AT&T can replace for pennies on the dollar and their insurance should cover it.

he even admitted no one was in danger of their lives, very unfortunate. I do hope he only gets a slap on the wrist and maybe a fine and his CCW taken away.

KevDen2005
05-28-2010, 03:20
Wrong thing to do, but I'm sympathetic. I've had moments where I wish the lawful use of deadly force would be extended to property crimes.

Guy's heart was in the right place, but he wasn't thinking. Pity....


It's all about articulation

Elhuero
05-28-2010, 03:40
my trigger finger has a tripwire disconnect that runs to my mouth.

when the finger is used to pull a trigger, the mouth shuts off and stays closed.

BadShot
05-28-2010, 07:36
This guy has no business attempting to use his weapon like these fools do on TV or in Movies. He's a frakking idiot and should get the book thrown at him. Those of us who carry take on a greater responsibility than the rest of society, with that comes the requirement to actually use our brains and logic. Screw AT&T .. hell I'd most likely have just giggled and walked out of the store shaking my head. I don't support folks stealing from businesses, especially if anyone gets hurt but in this case, there isn't any pain that AT&T or the store is really going to experience.

The shooter on the other hand.. what a dip shit

ronaldrwl
05-28-2010, 07:44
I'm sympathetic to the guy. You can't use your gun to protect property but he wasn't trying to shoot them. He was aiming for the tires. It was a dumb thing to do but don't go over the top.

BigBear
05-28-2010, 08:17
Guy's heart was in the right place, but he wasn't thinking. Pity....


I know, shoot them in the store....

"They held me up with a gun and I feared for me life!! I had no choice but to fire!!..."

What? The gun was only a cell phone in their jacket pocket? Sucks to be them.

I kid.


In all seriousness, it'd be nice to have a few solid shooting during some petty crimes like this in the sense of hopefully getting a lot of these jerks thinking twice about what they are about to do.

But I agree with the rest of y'all.... bad move on Mr. CCW owners part... "I know, I'll shoot the (run-flats) tires with a .380 at 70 yards, just like on Starsky and Hutch!!! That'll work!!!"..... not.

theGinsue
05-28-2010, 08:48
I agree with the OP. The firearms community has been doing a great job as of late in maintaining a positive public image. Just as 1 "Aw Sh!t" has the ability to wipe out a 1000 "Atta-boy's", this one event is all that will stick in the minds of the anti-gunners and those on the fence.

I know all too well that it's easy to get caught up in the excitement of events, but (using BigBear's analogy) Starsky and Hutch'ing a situation isn't why CCW's are allowed.

Hopefully, we'll get a few good news reports of how CCW holders saved hostages at a bank, stopped a robbery of a Starbucks, and rescued little Jimmy from a well and a cute kitten from an overhead power line. Anything less and it'll take time to overcome this bad PR.


He's a frakking idiot...

All right! Galactica reference! Daddy like!

TS12000
05-28-2010, 08:53
To be very honest, I surprised I don't hear more stories like this. You know there are a ton of people who don't have correct training (took the basic ccw class and maybe shot their gun a handful of times) walking around with a gun strapped on and itching to use it.

theGinsue
05-28-2010, 08:59
Sort of like the law of the Wild West, the attitude that made Wyatt urp.
[Coffee]

CrufflerSteve
05-28-2010, 09:20
The fact that these stories are rare shows the success of CCW. If this happened more often the anti's would be publicizing it. The anti-gunners always predict gunbattles in the street when a CCW bill is going into effect and this never happens. Most of the stories are people who get into trouble for not concealing well.

He was shooting at the tires of a moving car. He should have spent more time at the range and less time watching BS movies & TV. I think it wouldn't be out of line to revoke his permit and slap his hand with a minor charge. Unless the ground was super soft dirt those bullets probably skidded off the ground and took off. His heart was in the right place but his head was in his rear. I'd heartily endorse this if the car was being used for a kidnapping but cell phones aren't enough to justify someone downrange catching a bullet.

Steve

Nobama2012
05-28-2010, 09:29
Wrong decision DUMBASS, no matter what you "felt", this guy needs to get slapped, should have gotten charged all the way.

Irving
05-28-2010, 13:13
And what was he going to do when they just kept driving on flat tires, or just got out and ran? Dummy dummy.