http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/27/us/man-arrested-gun-charlottesville-rally/index.html When I first heard of the reports that a gun was fired at the counter-protestors I believed that it must be fake news especially as I could not find a video that I could access. I remember the posts about the murdering intending "flame thrower" whose flame was not much more dangerous than a cigarette lighter and this flame thrower clearly made no attempt at getting closer to the those of the right. So what should happen to this gun shooter who clearly did not care if he injured or killed anyone and did approach those anti-protestors as he fired? Why did the police not do anything.
From which side are you talking about? Are you referring to the one of the organizers of Unite the right who admits to using pepper spray? Perhaps the violence should be ranked? IMO using a car to kill someone and injuring 19 is probably at the top. I would then put the use of a gun as number 2. As for rocks, mace spraying and poles both sides were using those weapons.
I'm talking about the video in your link where it shows the flame thrower, people being maced and pelted with f*ck knows what from, as usual, the liberals.
AH no. Everything you mentioned is a weapon and all should be treated equally. In my opinion, if you show up at one of these things you should expect to be arrested.
From the video it seems the man was responding to the flame throwing peaceful counter protester. No gunshot wounds reported. Hard to see how he would miss from the video. Blanks?
"Blanks" crossed my mind too but who brings a gun loaded with blanks and points it in the direction of someone with the risk that he would be shot and killed by someone with a gun loaded with live ammo, and who would be justified using a self-defense plea? Also, why point the gun at the ground if using blanks? As for the "flame thrower" the unite to right people carried on walking straight pass him as it was clear that the flame was not near them. Edit: He already had the gun in his hand and turned around before the flame was lit
I don't understand why the charge is "firing within 1000 feet of a school" as that seems quite a minor charge but perhaps that charge is more serious that I think
It's hard for me to comment on the man's actions, frankly I wouldn't have been at the event or thought taking a gun to a 'protest' was sound judgement. As to pointing the weapon toward the ground or away from people, that's common gun handling. As to the IED style flame thrower, it's spitting out sticky flammable liquid and one good 'hit' would cause a life time of damage. He, the flame thrower, was also close, within 10' or so. Just looking at the reality of the thing.
IMO, anyone carying a gun or a flame thrower or mace or clubs or torches should have been arrested on sight. Just because the state law allows open carry should not mean that anyone can open carry when going on a march that everyone knew could become violent. As for the flame thrower, the sticky substance would have dripped down his hand risking harm to him than others. The gas would just set alight losing any projectile capabilities
Complicated since one of the counter protesters appears to have a flame thrower or other fire-based weapon.
It would make no difference if it was blanks in regards to an assault with a deadly weapon charge. It is very easy to miss and obviously he was not a skilled shooter for not recognizing his pistol was not chambered.
It was an aerosol canister (deoderant?) that he said he found on the road. You can see that he was just making them smell better (sorry, could not help myself) as you can see the unlit gas, but he then lit it. He was more in danger than the Unite the Right crowd by holding a lit canister that contains inflammable gas risking it exploding. Little doubt that it would have exploded if it was full at the beginning as it heated up.
It's obvious from the video that he fired in a 'safe' direction, but that doesn't matter. Lock his ass up and throw away the key. That has no place at a protest and he just proced himself to be no better than the gangbangers and thugs he likes to think himself better than.
