Long Island Man Arrested For Defending Home With AK-47

[Mtn.man]

I seriously doubt that anyone here in Colorado would go to jail for firing a couple warning shots into the ground when their home is surrounded by 20+ gang members shouting death threats.

Maybe in Denver, Arvada, Aurora, and after you get your ass beat by the cops.

[Irving]

Ranger, where do you draw the line on ignoring suspicious people? These weren't across the street in a bar parking lot, yelling at everyone. They were in his front yard, specifically threatening him.

Personally, I would have shot into the ground. That is just a waste of ammo and not defensible in court. If you are going to pull the trigger on a gun, it is to save your life. There is no such thing as a warning shot.

[sniper7]

Since it wasn't my ass in the situation...it is a shame that he didn't take down all 20 gang members. I would much rather read that story then a guy going to jail for shooting some holes in his yard

[Irving]

Since it wasn't my ass in the situation...it is a shame that he didn't take down all 20 gang members. I would much rather read that story then a guy going to jail for shooting some holes in his yard

This.

My favorite story is of the gang banger that fell out the window to his death because his pants fell down and he tripped. Oops.

[BigBear]

This.

My favorite story is of the gang banger that fell out the window to his death because his pants fell down and he tripped. Oops.

HAHA, I haven't heard that one Stu. There was a story about a shooting in South Carolina about 3 months ago. Apparently some guy went into a coffee shop carrying without a holster in his baggy pants, the gun fell through the pants and discharged when it hit the ground... there were 3 cops and one of them shot the guy on reflex. (Yes the cop was suspended or whatever).

I'll have to see if I can't find that link. I'm pretty sure it happened in South Carolina...

[68Charger]

I guess he didn't feel like doing a "Gran Torino"

None of us were there, and I doubt we're getting the whole story of what lead up to this... but I agree that waiting in the house would probably be better than firing shots in the yard- if you're going to shoot, it's with deadly force- because that's what's called for in the situation- until then, it's not pointed at anyone.

My gut says that by the time you have that many gang members on your lawn threatening you, your life is already in some serious danger- they'll get you eventually if you don't find some way to get off their $#!+ list, or bug out of town.
It is a shame he's going to jail for just illegally aerating his lawn

[Gritty]

He made three mistakes by presenting a firearm without intending to directly use it, by entering into a verbal confrontation while holding the firearm, and by discharging the firearm to fire "warning shots."

He has a lot of explaining to do just based on those mistakes, and his case could very well be filed under reckless endangerment.



Next time he should:

Keep himself and his weapon out of sight until he actually has a reason to use deadly force.

Take some firearm training classes. He is obviously out of practice and needs to know about the use of force continuum.

Review the four golden rules of firearm safety:
1. All guns are always loaded.
2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy.
3. Keep your finger off the trigger till your sights are on the target.
4. Identify your target, and what is behind it. Never shoot at shadows and/or noises.

Make lots of friends, avoid misunderstandings with gangs, and call 911 next time (a call is easier to justify than shooting at the ground).

[Mtn.man]

I use grenades. You can buy them at any Gun Show.

And true gangs are just misunderstood kids looking for attention and a belonging, they should be dealt with with talk and compassion.

[HBARleatherneck]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/05/14...d-elderly-man/

you arent allowed to protect yourself. read the comment where the cop says the homeowner did the right thing, fleeing his own home. "you have no right to safety in or around your home. bangers can threaten and intimidate you. you must flee" talk about bullshit. and then they still lost.

clearly things would have gone differently for most of us. if I did decide to go to the store to call the police, i would have aerated all the criminals after they started attacking me.

[Mtn.man]

Well my guns have a mind of their own and who knows what they will do if I have to flee.