Veteran Charged With Unlawful Gun Use After Defending Himself Against Intruder

[Ban Hammer 13,620]

Oliver Goldsmith said: “Every absurdity has a champion to defend it.”

Not a day goes by that I am not dumbfounded by a story in the news. The lengths to which some people will go to defend gun usage is staggering. Even worse, when people use the excuse of “self-defense” as a means to unnecessarily pull the trigger of a firearm, I am appalled. Conservatives will tell you that we all have a “right” to bear arms; citing an outdated Second Amendment—which itself was not designed for modern times, like the First Amendment was. Because they own the media, Conservatives dominate the gun control debate. But every once in a while, a story breaks through that shows just how dangerous and unnecessary guns are in today’s society.

According to CBS Seattle, a Medford war monger—sorry: “military veteran”—has been charged with the unlawful use of a gun because he fired a rifle unnecessarily when he suspected that someone was breaking into his home.

“36-year-old Corey Thompson fired a warning shot from his AR-15 rifle at 40-year-old Jonathon Kinsella after he tried to break into Thompson’s house through the back door.”

According to Lt. Mike Budreau: “There was nothing that the suspect was doing that was aggressive enough to justify the shooting…In fact, the suspect was walking away.”

In a feeble attempt to defend his actions with the rifle, Mr. Thomson said: “When I’m dealt with a stressful situation, being a veteran from Iraq and the Afghanistan war, it’s natural. I just jump into combat mode. I told him I’m going to give you a warning shot…I can see where they’re coming from, with those kinds of ordinances and stuff. I understand, yes, I did discharge my weapon, but I was careful not to fire it at anybody’s residence…It was at the ground specifically.”

There are numerous dangers involved in simply owning a firearm, let alone using one. Conservatives will try to skew the statistics to serve their own agenda; citing irrelevant CDC studies that show that nearly 80% of gun murders are gang related. They will note that in spite of Japan’s gun control measures, the Japanese suicide rate is more than double that of the United States’. The Conservatives will tell you that people are the problem, not guns. This isn’t the Boston Bombing; this isn’t explosives; we’re talking about firearms!

Because Mr. Thomson is a “veteran,” he believes he has the right to operate a firearm. He blames his reckless “toward the ground” shot on his military training. He claims that he even told the potential intruder that he was about to fire a warning shot before he so brashly pulled the trigger. We may never know for certain.

I’m sure the alleged intruder would have left the premises if Mr. Thomson would have simply asked. But rather than go to the trouble to ask, or threaten to call the cops, he almost endangered the lives of potentially numerous people.

One wonders how many lives could have been destroyed by Mr. Thomson’s rash decision, had he not used his alleged expert training and honed instincts to “specifically” fire at the ground. He should be locked up for good.

I respect the Constitution as much as the next guy, but there are simply parts of it that are wrong! Defenders of the Second Amendment actually believe that they will be safer with a gun in their hands. They believe the research of criminologist Gary Kleck, of Florida State, claiming that self-defensive gun use occurs roughly 2,000,000 times a year. The Conservatives truly believe that their own government could turn on them. This isn’t Germany, Italy, China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Vietnam, Cambodia, or most of Africa; this is America!

My point is this: guns have no place in this country. It’s not people with a lack of empathy that kill, it’s guns that kill. Even in self-defense, guns do more harm than good. Don’t believe the numerous “statistics,” or the “anecdotal evidence” suggesting that guns save lives. Don’t assume that just because dozens and dozens of other countries within the last 80 years have turned on their people, that the US will turn on us. It’s absurd.

http://lastresistance.com/2218/veteran-charged-with-unlawful-gun-use-after-defending-himself-against-intruder/

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

This guy posts on VJ everyday!

My goodness they are sore losers. I mean, just because we kicked their @sses 6 ways from Sunday in Congress and the courts, you would think they would get a clue.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Biden says throw a few warning shots at them........

[spookyturtle 9,466]

He got charged for firing a warning shot into the ground and didn't even shoot at the intruder? Ludicrous. The intruder is a lucky individual since he is still alive. The police should be ashamed of themselves.

[JimmyO 2]

I don't understand why this is so hard to grasp for the supposed second amendment supporters. The second amendment only covers the right to own a gun, on your own property or where permissible by state law. The laws that govern rights beyond ownership (stand your ground vs. castle laws) are granted by each individual state. If you don't like it, then you should move to a state that is more liberal with gun laws. In my state, I have to apply for a permit to carry my weapon, but if they were to end that, I would move to a state that does allow it.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Unlawful discharge of a firearm. Yep. Time for the veteran to get some much needed mental healthcare.

[lostinblue 1,989]

Unlawful discharge of a firearm. Yep. Time for the veteran to get some much needed mental healthcare.

Just a better understanding of the law. Hope he uses the Biden defense. Perhaps Joe could explain this to the judge. ....You can only shoot unless you are in fear of your life as George Zimmerman did. correctly.

[JimmyO 2]

Just a better understanding of the law. Hope he uses the Biden defense. Perhaps Joe could explain this to the judge. ....You can only shoot unless you are in fear of your life as George Zimmerman did. correctly.

So, you think that people should be able to just shoot people they vaguely feel threatened by? Sorry, but that is why we have law enforcement. Don't get me wrong, I believe people should be able to protect themselves, their family, and their property. However, there is a reason why we have law enforcement, and when you have the opportunity to close your doors and call 911, you should do it. This man chose to take the law into his own hand, which is counter to Washington state laws. He had a choice whether to shoot or let law enfocement handle the situation and he chose to take the law into his own hands. If you think his charges are unlawful, then you are simply ignorant of the law.

I'm sure this man won't be convicted, but he should take a long hard look at the laws of the state he lives in and make a choice to live in a state which has gun laws which are more in line with his personal beliefs.

[lostinblue 1,989]

"vaguely feel threatened" and fear for your life are two different things.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

So firing a warning shot into the ground gets him in trouble, but if he waited until the guy broke into his house he could have shot and killed him and had no problem at all. His word against a dead mans. Whoever wrote this article has his head up his butt.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

So firing a warning shot into the ground gets him in trouble, but if he waited until the guy broke into his house he could have shot and killed him and had no problem at all. His word against a dead mans. Whoever wrote this article has his head up his butt.

Pretty much. My mom used to work for a gun store that was a favorite of the LAPD. They told us no warning shots, and wait until he comes inside, between dusk and dawn, and when he falls, make sure he is completely dead and within the premises, before calling them. If you just wing him, he could sue you for everything you own, and if he is found outside, dead, or alive, it could mean you go to jail.

Edited June 2, 2013 by The Patriot

[Darnell 8,479]

So firing a warning shot into the ground gets him in trouble, but if he waited until the guy broke into his house he could have shot and killed him and had no problem at all. His word against a dead mans. Whoever wrote this article has his head up his butt.

OMG - we agree, you and me.

I remember the sherrif showing up one day at our boy scout troop meeting, we were going over basic shotgun safety for a merit badge. One of the things he said was -

if you shoot someone with your shotgun and it's self-defense, 1. make sure he's dead and 2. drag him 3 feet past the thresh-hold, into the house. Do that? the State of Texas won't prosecute you.

I've never forgotten that, and it's interesting I'm writing it here..

Medford? The veteran lives in Medford? aiyo.

[RGinWA 816]

"vaguely feel threatened" and fear for your life are two different things.

Some people fear for their life in a bad area or fear for their life when they see minorities.

With that logic you'll start seeing Jehovah Witnesses blown away for the threatening behavior of knocking on doors.

Where does it end?

If he actually broke in, different story, but there's always an investigation in any case.

[GandD 5,966]

Pretty much. My mom used to work for a gun store that was a favorite of the LAPD. They told us no warning shots, and wait until he comes inside, between dusk and dawn, and when he falls, make sure he is completely dead and within the premises, before calling them. If you just wing him, he could sue you for everything you own, and if he is found outside, dead, or alive, it could mean you go to jail.

Typical response from a Berkeley liberal.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

"vaguely feel threatened" and fear for your life are two different things.

And both are as easy to claim as they are impossible to prove or disprove.