Pastor Stanley Wilkinson Pleads Guilty - He Mistakenly Shot his Granddaughter

[mikeb302000]

Local news reports

61-year-old Stanley Wilkinson was charged in January with one count of dangerous weapons – intentional discharge of firearm that endangers safety. He pled guilty today in Olmsted County District Court to the charge. The charge stems from an incident on December 10th.

At the time, Wilkinson told police that he heard a noise outside his home and grabbed his pistol. He fired two rounds after he saw someone trying to open the door. The person turned out to be his granddaughter who was struck in the neck. She was hospitalized after the shooting. Wilkinson will be sentenced on April 15 at 1:30.

As we mentioned at the time of the incident, guns do more harm than good. The fear-driven and foolish decision to have a gun in the house turned into a tragedy for this man and his family.

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
Cross posted at Mikeb302000

[holdencaufield]

1. Any responsible gun owner will tell you ...

... ALWAYS check your target.

Every action has a consequence.

[friendly_iconoclast]

2. Your use of "we" seems more of the 'royal' and less of the 'editorial' type.

Well, you did ask for opinions, Jason...

Seriously, in a country with 80 million gun owners, anecdotes like these have almost no statistical meaning.

[gejohnston]

3. Are you a Hobbs or Locke fan?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172110484#post25

Just asking

[rdharma]

4. I hate when that happens! nt

[gejohnston]

5. me too

[rdharma]

6. Happens way too often, eh? nt

[gejohnston]

7. once is too often

regardless of how rare. That would be equally true if the child were killed by dumbass who was texting while driving. It is also no more nor no less tragic than this. That is why I detest posts like that one. It sometimes gives some people the impression that the means matter. Not only is it an appeal to emotion, but it feeds the NRA and GOA meme that gun control advocates care more about the weapon used than the life taken. If I were a gun control advocate, I would cringe at such things just like I cringe when some dim wit mentions the 1938 German law.

[rdharma]

9. 1938 German law

I'm sure you don't understand what the 1938 "German law" actually meant.

It was actually "relaxed" gun laws!

[gejohnston]

10. yes I know,

that was my point. I'm guessing you didn't click on the link or think before speaking.

[rdharma]

11. you didn't click on the link

Nothing in the link about the RWaffG, RGBl. I 1938.

I guess you should get a translation so you can figure out what I'm talking about.

[gejohnston]

12. If you need it in basic language

gun control advocates making appeals to emotion is just as asinine as pro gunners basing an argument on the German law. If anyone needs a translation, I think you do.

[rdharma]

13. appeals to emotion

I made no appeal to emotion. I just pointed out what was really contained in the 1938 German law that the gun nuts always like to cite.

[gejohnston]

14. didn't say you did, I have no idea how you could possibly have come to that conclusion

Since we are talking about MikeB's OP, or at least I am, MikeB was the one making the appeal to emotion.

[rdharma]

15. "didn't say you did"

It was in a reply to my post........sooo..........

[ileus]

8. My firearms do no harm, in fact they don't do anything without user input.

[rdharma]

16. "don't do anything without user input"

That's why we need 100% universal background checks. To make sure the "user" isn't "defective".

[CokeMachine]

17. What's your definition of defective? Please elaborate. Thanks!! nt

[actslikeacarrot]

18. Idiot.

"Know your target and what lies beyond it." The unofficial 5th weapon safety rule.

[ManiacJoe]

19. That is actually the official #4.

http://www.itstactical.com/warcom/firearms/colonel-jeff-cooper-carry-conditions-and-firearm-safety/

[actslikeacarrot]

20. ah, I was going off what I learned...

...with the Marines. Though I know all "weapons safety rules" are pretty much the same, just the order is changed.

1. Treat every weapon as if it was loaded.

2. Never point your weapon at anything you dont intend to shoot.

3. keep you finger straight and off the trigger until ready to fire.

4. Keep your weapon on safe until ready to fire.

unofficial 5th. Know your target and what lies beyond it.