Posted on 10/20/2014 4:49:49 AM PDT by marktwain
April Dawn DeMarco, 30, was arrested for discharging a .380-caliber handgun on the practice football field of Bay High School, 300 E. 15th St., during practice last week for the local Pop Warner football team. Demarco apparently borrowed the pistol from Miren Gregory, 31, to protect nearby children after a group of parents found a water moccasin on the field, police reported.Snakes can be difficult to kill with a stick, if there are obstacles nearby. As this was a football practice field, the snake may have been hiding under equipment on the field. From personal experience, I can say that a firearm is often the only means to stop the threat from a poisonous snake that is in a semi-concealed position. You do not want the snake to escape from view and remain in an area frequented by children. It is like allowing a living land mine on the school grounds.
Coaches and parents told the children to get out of the area after finding the moccasin. Gregory told DeMarco she had a concealed carry permit and a handgun after some of the coaches tried to kill the snake by hitting it with sticks.
(d) Any person who knowingly and willfully violates any provision of this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree,It is illegal to discharge a firearm on school grounds, but there is an exception for using a firearm in defense of self or others. From statute 790.115 2.(d)
(d) A person who discharges any weapon or firearm while in violation of paragraph (a), unless discharged for lawful defense of himself or herself or another or for a lawful purpose, commits a felony of the second degree,If I were Dawn DeMarco's attorney, I would certainly be pleading that this was a clear case of defense of others. It does not matter that Dawn missed the snake with the borrowed firearm.
One parent forewarned the women that having a firearm on school grounds was against the law when DeMarco said, I will take the blame, the parent told police.
The woman who gave her the gun at the school for her to use on the snake faces charges too.
No kids were in the immediate area when she fired and missed.
The snake escaped. Hard to hit a fast moving snake with a .380.
Time to ban snakes. I mean the two-legged kind that would pass and enforce this kind of law...
“The snake escaped. Hard to hit a fast moving snake with a .380.”
Or any handgun for that matter. That is why many farmers & ranchers have a shotgun or a handgun loaded with birdshot handy. I took out a daimondback a month or so back with my Judge loaded with 410 #7 birdshot. One shot. one dead snake.
That mug shot will be a disaster.
Could have brushed/combed her hair and “smiled for the camera” (Peg!). Hopefully, her lawyer will get a more appealing picture for the trial.
Probably forced to shower, and not allowed a comb or brush.
People have little control over their much shots.
Even professional actors mug shots are often unflattering.
“much shots” should be “mug shots” .
It is early!
She was actually charged with attempted murder when it was discovered that the snake was actually a democrat councilman!!
If ever a case for use of a firearm on school property was justified, this would be it.
Water Moccasins are nothing to mess around with. I got bit by one in the 50s, when I was 8. Anti-venom shot, tetanus shot, and minor surgery to remove broken off fangs embedded in my hand.
The ban on guns is all about control and nothing else. The king’s men/women all carry guns to control, kill, and intimidate the sheep as necessary. the purpose of the sheep are twofold: 1. Provide money for the king’s coffers and the king’s support by paying taxes. 2. Give the king votes thereby continuing him in power.
I find a hoe or sharpshooter works better and I don’t waste precious ammo.
“a handgun loaded with birdshot “
I went to the range, loaded my Redhawk 44 Mag with those. Cranked the ayatollah target out to about 12/15 feet, and turned it into confetti! Pretty funny!
I’m sorry to say it but this was just a stupid thing to do.
I live in Florida on a lake, my .410 Snakecharmer is loaded and just inside the door. It is put to good use several times each year. Gotta use the right tool for the job!
Obviously the school administrators are at fault for not posting signs declaring the school a Snake Free Zone. Then it would have been illegal for any snakes to come onto school property and no one would have ever needed to worry about snakes again! Right? Am I right?
Would they have been as upset if she’d been carrying a hatchet or a machete?
snakeshot was made for that purpose. Although I have it at home, I don’t carry it with me. Maybe I should throw some in the glove box tho. We have rattlers around here.
That would be discrimatory, specist. They need to post “no fangs” or “no poison” signs. /s
One of my friend’s parents told me he never wanted to be around a loaded gun, even if it was in a drawer. He is a democrat, but, I was still disappointed in him. Thought he had bigger balls than that.
Their anti gun theme is working and they are treating babies who make L shaped pop tarts or point their fingers and say, “Pew, pew, pew” like criminals.
Monsters, all of them.
Would they have been as upset if shed been carrying a hatchet or a machete?
You make an excellent case. Edged weapons such as knives, swords, and tomahawks are clearly protected by the second amendment. Perhaps moreso, because swords were specifically mentioned during the debates about ratification.
Have to find the right test case, though.
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