Did this dad cross the line?

Question

i'm not sure just how i would of handled it..

http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=4360048&page=1

Answer 1

For this particular case:

I think he did go too far.  There is evidence of a past with gun problems.  I believe he is one of these far right nuts that believe in the 2nd Amendment to the extreme.  I believe law-abiding citizens should be allowed to own guns, but they should be taught that it is supposed to be a last resort protection.  

Based on what even Gear said, the motorcyclist went past his house and then came back.  That suggests to me he was turning around and going back to his own destination; that the motorcyclist was deciding a possible gunshot was not worth it and was leaving.  It seems to me that Gear is not one of those who believe a gun is a last resort protection, but can be used at anytime in a conflict.  I think he did honestly believe the motorcyclist might be a problem, but he should have givent the m-cyclist more time to show he wasn't a danger.

And definitely once the motorcyclist passed him and was going on down the road, the shots should have immediately stopped.  He kept shooting.  I understand to a point that adrenaline can take over and that may be why he kept going.  But to be fair, he took the situation to level where his adrenaline would be pumping like that.  He set up this situation himself and it blew up in his face.

If I were in the situation myself...

I don't own guns.  I believe they are a right for law-abiding citizens, but not a requirement and I don't want one.  I believe they are more dangerous than helpful, precisely for reasons like the situation above.  But if I had a gun and my daughters came home with a stranger behind them, I would put the gun behind me in my pants waist-top.  Then cover it with my shirt.

I would attempt to reason with the motorcyclist to move on and let this go, assuring him that my kids would be punished for their disrespect (the obscene gesturing).  If that wasn't enough and he took it to a more physical level, I would attempt to deal with it physically but at a minimum of force.  i.e. keeping him away from my kids by pushing him back and threatening calling the police.

My gun would only be brought out if he brought out a weapon of his own.  That way there is no question of self-defense.

Answer 2

I think he did cross the line

Answer 3

If his or his daughters were not in physical danger he should be charged yes.

Answer 4

oh.so sad

Answer 5

Yes, he crossed the line, especially in light of his history...he was "shoot 1st, ask questions later."

I don't think it was self defense... & he could have also shot to just injure the guy.

"The mouth is mightier than the gun"!

Answer 6

Too far!

Answer 7

Bearing in mind you have their side of the story...

It's claimed the girls car hit him...and instead of exchanging details made obscene gestures and drove off...he followed them home probably hoping the parents would be more 'adult'...saw the guy waiting with a gun and decided to leave...

There doesn't appear to have been any exchange of words..

Seems to me that the girls were just as ignorant and arrogant as the father...just a good job they didn't have guns..

Answer 8

yeah i reckon he went too far. those girls probably nearly ran the motorcyclist over and he retaliated by giving them a dose of his mind.

shooting someone in the back is not self defense

Answer 9

well, it was definitly wrong too shoot him and its a shame he died just for a little road rage that could have been worked out by just talking im sure.

but dads get protective, when there baby girls are in trouble they help them.

it was defintily not right to shoot him though. its a pity...