St Louis couple charged

[Rpg]

The couple that waived guns at protesters get charged:

. St. Louis prosecutor charges white couple for pulling guns on protesters

These folks are wealthy: they’ll experience little financial impact from the criminal process, although they could certainly lose their right to firearms as convicted felons.

 

[SMSgt]

Now we'll see if their governor walks the walk or just talks the talk.

 

[Drm50]

I believe they have a Federal case against the city. The pair are lawyers they will make money on the deal.

 

[Babysitr]

The STL. prosecuting attorney is facing a primary vote Aug.4, for election to another term...Hmmmm...?????

 

[Ogandydancer]

Whatever the reason, it stinks. Doing this just reinforces the thought in the heads of rioters "you can do whatever you want with no reprecussions". I hope they sue the City and win a huge settlement.

 

[mscampbell2734]

Based strictly on the law I'll say I saw this coming.

This is a perfect example of people who own guns but do NOT truly understand the law.

The basic issue is why did you brandish your weapon? If the response is I was in fear for my life then the next question is why didn't you shoot? You must not have really really been in fear for your life therefore you needlessly brandished your weapon.

I'm sure many will say I got my gun to prevent the situation from getting out of hand/prevent it from escalating. That's fine but in 99% of the jurisdictions that is NOT sufficient justification to brandish a firearm.

Bottom line is if your in fear for your life shoot. If your not in fear then no gun. PERIOD.

 

[Old cop]

I predicted charges but hope the governor comes through.

 

[JS Esq.]

Rarely have there been better candidates for anger management classes (which is basically what the DA is seeking)

 

[BC38]

If they hadn't pointed the guns at the protestors they would have been OK. Standing there armed and gun held at low ready would have worked as well as pointing the guns at people and wouldn't have got them in trouble.
If the protestors had then proceeded to advance aggressively pointing and firing the guns would likely have been justified.

 

[fredj338]

I believe they have a Federal case against the city. The pair are lawyers they will make money on the deal.

For what? Its already been adjudicated; you have no individual right of protection by the police. Why I tell people to buy a gun, get some training & understand the laws. The cops will never save you. They may come after a crime but they will never save you in the critical first few seconds in your fight.
Buying a gun is not enough. You need training & practice to put he training to use. Those two idiots were just fortunate no one was shot, including the guy by his wife! She must have flagged him 1/2 dozen times with her finger on the trigger! Idiots! I hope they get off though, it sets a bad precident & reflects on all gun owners but we should be better than that.

 

[LPD256]

A case of cold water or a Gatorade by the street probably would have gotten a few thank you’s from the protestors. The protestors had to break the gate to get into the gated coMmunity, but other than that I didn’t see any threats from anyone other than McCluskey and his trigger happy wife.

 

[hogblue]

Missouri has the Castle Law. I believe they were within their rights under that statute. I believe the Governor will make good on his previous statement.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Based strictly upon the the law, a firearm utilized in a Missouri charge of Unlawful Use of a Weapon must be "readily capable of lethal use . . . " Patricia's handgun was inoperable.

 

[LCC]

Regardless of the couple's absolute right to own weapons their handling negligence during the incident was on a felony level of incompetance and idiocy.
And when we let idiots hide behind the 2nd amendment without calling out their idiotic actions it only damages our rights, not support them.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I missed the "competence clause" for utilizing one's 2nd Amendment rights. The literacy test for voting, arguably a much more dangerous right, was struck down decades ago . . .

Regardless of the couple's absolute right to own weapons their handling negligence during the incident was on a felony level of incompetance and idiocy.
And when we let idiots hide behind the 2nd amendment without calling out their idiotic actions it only damages our rights, not support them.

 

[WCCPHD]

The Attorney General has, apparently, filed a motion with the presiding judge to dismiss the charges on the basis of the Second Amendment and the state castle doctrine.

Its in the judge's hands now.

 

[fatcat3]

The peaceful protesters threaten to take over their house, kill their dog, kill them, had already vandalized the gate and here we sit putting down and questioning their gun handling under stress, stating that they need anger management, maybe give the nice trespassers A case of cold water or a Gatorade... JMHO these two should be given a carton of cigarettes a six pack of beer and sent on their way. And the DA that charged em needs a good swift kick right between the front pockets

 

[JS Esq.]

Castle doctrine, in virtually every state, requires an objectively reasonable fear of imminent harm to invoke. It's not "do whatever the heck you want when you're on your property without fear of legal repercussions".

 

[ladder13]

Everyone is allowed to defend their lives without training required, end of story, period.

 

[fredj338]

Missouri has the Castle Law. I believe they were within their rights under that statute. I believe the Governor will make good on his previous statement.

The issue was pointng weapons at people. In most states that is considered assault with deadly weapon. They were not under attack as they stated, at least the video shows nothing thrown, no one advancing on them with a weapon.
If I am driving & a guy has a road rage & we pull off the road. He exits his vehicle & stands there. No weapon, yells he's gonna kill me but never advances. I pull my weapon & point it at him & threaten to shoot him if he advances. Self defense or assault? Pretty much what happened.
If would have no ssues if they went outside with guns at low ready, but as soon as you start pointing them at umarmed people, its a criminal act. Not to mention the shear amateur handling & potential danger from sweeping each other with fingers on triggers.