Posted on 01/24/2013 6:21:27 PM PST by chessplayer
While liberal journalists like David Gregory and liberal politicians like Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)* are able to bend and even break District of Columbia gun laws in service of promoting more stringent gun control laws, it's a far different story for apolitical Good Samaritans who use their guns to save lives.
Andrea Noble of the Washington Times noted yesterday that a D.C. man could face numerous gun charges related to his discharge of his gun on Sunday to save an 11-year-old boy from being mauled to death by three pit bulls.
D.C. police are investigating whether a man will face criminal charges for shooting a pit bull that was attacking a child in his neighborhood.
The incident unfolded Sunday afternoon, after three pit bulls attacked an 11-year-old boy as he rode his bicycle through the Brightwood neighborhood of Northwest, according to a police report.
When the man, a neighbor, saw the boy being mauled by the dogs, he went inside his home and got a gun. The man killed one of the dogs. The gunfire attracted the attention of a police officer in the area near Eighth and Sheridan streets, where the attack occurred. The officer responded and shot the other two pit bulls as they continued to attack the boy.
The police report, which did not identify any of the people involved, said the boy suffered severe lacerations. The Washington Post, which first reported the details of the shooting, quoted the boy’s uncle as saying the boy was also shot in the foot.
Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump said Wednesday that the entire case, including whether the man legally owned the gun he used to kill the dog, is under investigation.
While public opinion might be supportive of the man’s actions, he could still face significant charges depending on the outcome of the investigation, criminal defense attorney Daniel Gross said.
“I’ve seen cases where people used weapons in defense of others, but the U.S. attorney’s office is not always so understanding,” said Mr. Gross, who represents many clients charged with firearms-related crimes in the District. “There are certain defenses one could try, like self-defense or defense of others, but that wouldn’t really go to whether they charge you.”
Also to be taken into consideration is whether the man was within his property line when he fired the weapon — a small but significant distinction. Mr. Gross said it could mean the difference in whether he could be charged with carrying a pistol without a license.
*Update/Author's Note (18:32 EST): Feinstein received permission from and coordinated with the District's Metropolitan Police Department, so technically she is not at threat of prosecution as David Gregory was. That said, I am highly skeptical that the D.C. law in question was designed to grant such exemptions for political purposes. The point remains that D.C.'s attorney general has not prosecuted persons in possession of banned weapons and ammunition magazines when the purpose has been advocating stricter gun control measures.
Idiocy.
He saves a child and his property line is an issue?
No good deed goes unpunished.
My grandson is the same age as that boy. I hope that, if he’s ever endangered, there will be someone like that man around to help!
The police reacted correctly and the lawyers have to research a way to rail road this guy.
The only criminals in DC are public employees.
I wonder which well-trained individual shot the kid's foot.
We’ll see. The political heat will be volcanic of they try to send this guy to prison. Most likely, they will try to get him on a reduced charge of some sort. I hope he stands his ground. At the bare minimum, it demonstrates that without the ability to keep and bear arms, this boy would probably be dead.
The asterisk should have discussed how Feinstein carried a gun while mayor of San Francisco, when nobody else in San Francisco was allowed. Much more telling hypocrisy, in my opinion, than her showboating today.
If I was that guy I’d claim to be David Gregory.
We’ll see. The political heat will be volcanic of they try to send this guy to prison.
If he’s the one who shot the kid in the foot, he’s toast. The left will crucify him.
This is the crap that will hopefully help the pro 2A crowd.
Any of the dogs were capable of very quickly crushing the boy’s throat. In such a wild melee, the man was in a desperate situation as well as the boy. There could not possibly be time for measured, well aimed shots. But your point is valid. The left would say, “What difference does it make? He shot the boy in the foot.”
I am willing to bet no matter what he will lose his right to own a gun in the USA. The powers that be will see to it.
Also it will be interesting to see whose bullet/round ended up in the kids foot. And since its not been reported yet I say it was the "well trained" LEO. Which is going to be a severe embarrassment to the "Only Government Trained Lackeys should be allowed guns in the USA" crowd.
When do we move against the tyranny we supposedly own guns to prevent?
First Tuesday in November.
These are laws passed by liberals, idiocy is a given.
Nope. This is good news. We need a hero as a martyr. Let’s set up a defense fund. I’m in for $100. Take this case to the American people and all the way to SCOTUS.
I’m in. Anyone else want to step up for our side?
Please ping us if and when a fund is set up.
Ditto.
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