State Charges Dropped Against Man Who Shot Intruder

[demsrule4life]

SKOKIE -- Prosecutors on Friday morning dropped charges against a Wilmette man accused of violating a state gun law when he shot an intruder in his home.

http://www.nbc5.com/news/2827450/detail.html?z=dp&dpswid=2265994&dppid=65193

Sometimes commonsense can prevail.

[solinvictus]

1. Good

It's a safe assumption that anyone breaking into your home is there to do harm. I'm glad the state authorities didn't prosecute the crime victim.

[MrSandman]

2. Not all charges are dropped...

"DeMar still faces charges of breaking Wilmette's ban on handguns."

Even the bad laws need enforcement?

[demsrule4life]

3. If the state dropped the charges

I think it is a good chance for Wilmette to drop theirs.

[CO Liberal]

4. In Your Dreams, Dems

The asshole broke the law in Wilmette, and will have to pay the consequences.

[Name removed]

5. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CO Liberal]

8. He Broke The Law, RoeBear....

Just like the guy who broke in. They both need to be punished.

You pro-gunners wanting to give the asshole slack representes the most misguided priority I can think of. Tell me, RoeBear - what other laws do have no trouble with people disobeying????

[RoeBear]

13. How about pot laws...

...I could care less if some guy grows some pot in his back yard and smokes it. Or the ridiculous 'blue' laws they have in some locations.
Or any of these:
http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~jimella/laws01.htm

I suppose if you had a badge you be chasing down all the ladies wearing red dresses
Colorado:
It is illegal for a woman wearing a red dress to be out on the streets after 7 PM.

But back to the law in question. It was a tool that he used to defend his and his families lives. A tool that was actually less powerful than other tools available. You just don't like this particular tool and have no problem with it being banned by politcal whim. One can only assume that you would also have no problem banning this particular tool everywhere.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RoeBear]

18. Nice of you to let me know what ...

...occupies my waking hours CO. What do you base this fallacy on?

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CO Liberal]

30. I Just Did Two Search

Searching on RoeBear, he made 30 posts in the past week:

Latest Breaking News - 1
General Discussion - 5
General Discussion - Primary 2004 - 2
The DU Lounge - 5
Civil Rights - 1
Environment - 1
Justice/Public Safety - 19

Searching on myself, I made 49 posts in the past week:

Latest Breaking News - 15
Editorials - 1
General Discussion - 3
General Discussion - Primary 2004 - 1
The DU Lounge - 9
Justice/Public Safety - 20

So just in the past week, roughly two thirds of RoeBear's posts were in this forum, as opposed to roughly one third of mine.

I'll let you draw your own conclusions.

[slackmaster]

33. How about similar statistics for your own posts, CO?

Let's see 'em.

[CO Liberal]

34. I Just Searched My Own....

...and edited them into Post #30.

[demsrule4life]

36. This begs the question

who's business is it on where a person posts?

[CO Liberal]

38. It Was YOUR Idea, Dems

I'd like to draw your attention to your post #24.....

24. Before you make a claim like this one

Edited on Sun Feb-08-04 05:59 AM by demsrule4life

you should do a search on Robear. Looks to me he post's on as many boards as you do.

* * * * *

Just acting on your suggestion.......

[Name removed]

41. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[demsrule4life]

35. So now we don't have the right to post where we want?

Anti-gun, always about control.

[slackmaster]

39. You're both as mad as March hares

:evilgrin:

(sarcasm_off)

[RoeBear]

25. ...shaking head...

Even if the comment were true, that this is the only board that I post on here at DU, what would that have to do with assuming all my waking moments are consumed by guns?

Do I get to make some assumptions about you now?

I think I'll pass.

[CO Liberal]

27. You've Already Made PLENTY of Assumptions, RoeBear

Every time you've called me a "gun grabber".

[RoeBear]

29. I would only call a person a 'gun grabber' if they agree...

...that it's ok for a town to ban ownership of certain types of weapons. You can't ban without grabbing.

[slackmaster]

32. Good point - you can't truly ban something without grabbing

The federal assault weapons "ban" only proscribes a few specific behaviors for a 10-year period. It never actually banned any firearms. Without confiscation a "ban" is not really a ban.

[slackmaster]

67. My mom has an illegal CLOTHES LINE in her back yard

And here in San Diego there is an ordinance providing a $200 fine for anyone who leaves outdoor Christmas lights up after February 2.

I can't think of a single person I know who scrupulously obeys all laws all the time. It's certainly a person's prerogative to cast someone who doesn't comply with every law as a bad person, but I find that position hypocritical unless the individual who passes that judgement practices what he or she preaches.

Jesus had it right - Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

[CO Liberal]

70. Just Because Others Break the Law Is No Excuse, Slackmaster

And I still have found no justification for the asshole homeowner in Wilmette having a handgun. It's safe to assume that he knew what the law was, and chose to break it. And he should face the consequences for breaking the law.

Period.

[RoeBear]

73. Didn't you also say...

...that even if he used a rifle you would have had him prosecuted for breaking a sound ordinance? If I'm correct in my recollection there is no way that this guy could have defended his family without going to jail.

[CO Liberal]

74. I Said it Before, and I'll Say It Again

If you're gonna be a law-abiding citizen, you have to abide by ALL the laws. Period.

[RoeBear]

75. Un frickin believable

Just un-frickin-believable

Police officer:
"I don't care if you were taking your child to the ER because of severe bleeding, we're gonna sit right here and I'm gonna write you a ticket for speeding"

un-frickin-believable

[CO Liberal]

77. That Would Be a Call For The Cop To Make, RoeBear

It's not up to us to decide which laws we're gonna obey. To allow that would result in chaos.

[CO Liberal]

79. Another Thought, RoeBear...

Police officer:
"I don't care if you were taking your child to the ER because of severe bleeding, we're gonna sit right here and I'm gonna write you a ticket for speeding"

Any cop worth his salt would see that a life-or-death situation was unfolding and provide a police escort to the hospital.

To my way of thinking, the continued defense of the asshole in Wilmette by you and other pro-gunners on this board is what's truly "un-frickin-believable".

[MrBenchley]

6. It's fascinating to see the RKBA crowd

and their causes

Last week they were pimping for the never-enforced law in Yokelsburg, and this week they're pissing and moaning because the law in Wilmette is being enforced.

[demsrule4life]

11. It was this week

FYI if you put your curser on the time located on the the far right of your tool bar it tells you the date. Or you can double click on it and have an entire calender, that way you dont' have to buy one. :)

[demsrule4life]

7. In your dreams Dems

is what you would of said a week ago if I brought up the idea the state could drop charges against him. Don't be so quick to speak, could prove an embarrassment.

[CO Liberal]

9. Having This Guy As a Poster Child....

...could also prove to be an embarrassment for YOUR side, Dems.

[demsrule4life]

10. I don't think so

If you want to get technical about it Willmette is breaking state law by enacting that ordnance. If I'm not mistaken by IL state law a town is not allowed to enact laws that are tougher then the state law. If your town passed an ordnance tomorrow stating people can only own one dog are you going to 1. move, 2. give away or put down one of your dogs or 3. disobey the law? This might be OT but the same thing happened to lawful gun owners when town councils in Wilmette, Moron Grove and a few other places decided to pass their idiot ordnances.

[CO Liberal]

12. Well, That DID Happen To Me

When my wife and I first bought our manufactured home, we rented a space in a park for it. After we were there for a year and a half, they changed the rules concerning pets - you were only allowed one per house, and it couldn't be taller than 14 inches at the shoulder. That meant we would have to get rid on our dog, Peanut.

So we moved the house to Pueblo West.

Laws are laws, whether you agree with them or not. That guy chose to violate the law in Wilmette by having a handgun, and should be punished.

[demsrule4life]

19. By the way

I was mistaken above. They have "home rule" in the IL constitution. Good reason to never live there.

[CO Liberal]

22. Colorado Is a "Home Rule" State, Too

That's why the Dity of Denver is fighting the statewide firearms standards the gun lobby had the Republicans push through the Legislature last year. They claim the statewide standards violate the home-rule provisions of the Constitution.

It's still in the courts....

[RoeBear]

14. Your kidding me right?

This guys a fucking hero. He saved his families life from a low life predator. They should have a parade in his honor and then name a street after him.

[CO Liberal]

16. I'll Try The One More Time, RoeBear

HE BROKE THE LAW.

What part of that sentence is unclear to you???

[RoeBear]

17. As stated earlier...

...SOME LAWS ARE STUPID

and this is one of them.


Even the State of Illinois is smart enough to recognize that you don't prosecute heros.

[solinvictus]

21. "HE BROKE THE LAW"

And I assume, in your view, he'd be morally superior if he allowed his family to be robbed, raped, or killed? Not me, thank you.

[CO Liberal]

23. He Had Other Ways to Protect His Family

If he wanted to use a gun, he could have used a shotgun or a rifle. But no - he chose to use a handgun. Which is illegal in his town.

So while his intent was noble, he broke the law. Period.

[RoeBear]

26. Well at least...

...you finally make a comment stating that his 'intent was noble'.
I go beyond that and say that he's a hero.

Most towns also have noise ordinances and laws against discharging weapons within city limits. Let's say he used a rifle or shotgun instead; would you have wanted him prosecuted for those violations also?

[CO Liberal]

28. If You Break a Law, You Should Face The Consequences

Pure and simple.

[RoeBear]

31. ...shaking head...rolling eyes...shocked look...

Are you actually saying that if he had used a rifle for self defense that you would have wanted to see him prosecuted for breaking a noise ordinance?

What's next, speeding tickets for people speeding to the hospital?

[CO Liberal]

37. If You're Gonna Be a "Law-Abiding Citizen"....

...you have to obey ALL the laws - you can't pick and choose.

[slackmaster]

40. Who among us actually lives up to that standard?

Who here has never exceeded a speed limit or smoked a "hooter"?

[CO Liberal]

42. Does That Justify Breaking The Law?????

I don't think so....

[MrBenchley]

44. B-b-b-b-b-but it's a GUN!

No argument too disgraceful, absurd or desperate for the RKBA crowd...

[demsrule4life]

45. Yep

No argument too disgraceful, absurd or desperate for the ANTI crowd.

[RoeBear]

47. So do you support unlimited...

..persecution of people possesing pot? Or do you think there are better ways of keeping our jails filled?

[MrBenchley]

49. Or shall we just keep asking irrelevant questions

to try to justify this idiot breaking the law beccause he had a GUN?

[RoeBear]

59. Irrelevant?

I think not.

I don't think that people should be prosecuted for small amounts of pot and I don't think people should be prosecuted for defending themselves against predators.

[CO Liberal]

61. No One is Saying That Guy Couldn't Defned Himself, RoeBear

He just couldn't do it with a handgun, because that was the law in his town. That's what makes your arguments irrelevant.

[MrBenchley]

62. Irrelevant.....

[CO Liberal]

63. It Only Serves to Prove.....

...that the old pro-gunners line about "you don't have to worry about law-abiding gun owners" is pure bullshit. Some of them only obey the laws they WANT to obey, making them no better than common criminals, IMHO.

[RoeBear]

65. The only one who had to worry about this...

..." law-abiding gun owner" was a criminal who was vicious enough to invade someone's home. The criminal should be happy that our hero chose to use a handgun and not a rifle or shotgun. And the neighbors should be carrying him around on their shoulders, because he may have saved them from being the next victim of this predator.

[CO Liberal]

69. They Should Carry His Sorry Ass Down To The Jail

He broke the law. No matter HOW you try to justify it, HE BROKE THE LAW.

[FeebMaster]

71. I'm sure everyone would like

to hear your humble opinion on this thread up in LBN CO.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=353151

[RoeBear]

72. Thanks for posting that...

...I'll eagerly wait to see if any anti-gun loons are brave enough to post a message saying those people need to obey any law that a politican is crazy enough to enact.

[CO Liberal]

76. Simple

Those parade organizers knew what the law was, chose to ignore it, and are facing charges. Perhaps the publicity garnered by the case will show how ridiculous the law is, and get it changed. But synce we are a nation of laws, the process holds that they need to be charged under the laws under effect at the time, whether you agree with them or not.

It's like the blacks who staged sit-ins at segregared lunch counters in the South 40 years ago. They knew what the laws were, and chose to disobey them to show how unfair they were. True, they were arrested. But the world saw how ridiculous the laws were, and today they are no longer in effect.

The same thing holds for our friend, the asshole in Wilmette. He knew what the law was in his town, chose to break it, and must be charged under that law. That law may change in the future, but that does not change the facts in this case. He broke the law. Period.

[CO Liberal]

52. If You're Opposed to a Law....

...you work to change it. You don't just ignore it, unless you're willing to go to jail. Like Dr. King and his followers did in the '60s.

[demsrule4life]

53. Or you can just move away from it

[MrBenchley]

56. Worth noting that for all the blather

about jail time, the worst this asswipe gets is a $750 fine...of course he loses a loved one (his precious little handgun) and that is probably the real tragedy for the RKBA crowd.

[demsrule4life]

57. Hey you can get a new Colt for

$750.00, why give it to some small town nazi wannebee's that sit on the town board?

[RoeBear]

46. In a word...

...YES!

Wife's starting to push that baby out at three in the morning?

The choices are; wait for an ambulance or speed to the hospital. I'll speed to the hospital. Ain't no cop gonna write a ticket for that except maybe Barney Fife.

Crimial busting down your door at three in the morning?

The choices are call 911 and wait or use an unapproved tool.
I'll choose the unapproved tool. Ain't no state of Illinois that would prosecute for that.

[demsrule4life]

43. What I can't fathom

Here is a guy that is raising a family, he owns a home, he works a job and he pays his taxes and yet he is called an asshole. I don't recall the career criminal being called an asshole in this thread.

[CO Liberal]

48. To My Way Of Thinking, Dems...

...anyone who uses a gun to take the law into their own hands is, by definition, an asshole.

[demsrule4life]

51. Yep this guy went out looking

for someone to shoot

[CO Liberal]

54. He Prepared For That Eventuality....

...by having a handgun where handguns were illegal. He broke the law with a gun, so (by my definition) he's an asshole.

[demsrule4life]

55. Is the guy that broke into his house an asshole?

or is he just some poor misguided guy that society dont understand?

[CO Liberal]

60. There's No Argument There

They guy who broke in was breaking the law, and seaerves to be punished. But the homeowner also broke the law the moment he brought a handgun into a town where handguns are illegal. And nothing changes that fact.

[RoeBear]

64. FWIW-

the criminal would probably be dead if the homeowner had used a rifle or shotgun.

[CO Liberal]

66. Then So Be It

The fact here is that handguns were illegal in that town, the homeowner chose to not only HAVE on, but to USE it. Since he broke the local law, he should face local charges.

I'm not arguing with his actions - just his choice of weapon. Here in Colorado, we have a "Make My Day" law that states that homeowners have the right to use deadly force to protect themselves or their families from intruders. But (if like in Wilmette) handguns are illegal, the howmowner would have to choose something else.

[MrSandman]

68. Which one???

"...anyone who uses a gun to take the law into their own hands is, by definition, an asshole."

or

"I'm not arguing with his actions - just his choice of weapon."

Is the problem with self defense or with using a gun for a legitimate end? If it had been a shot gun which is appropriate? Would it had been better if the homeowner was only a victim?

[CO Liberal]

78. I'm Not Saying He Couldn't Defend Himself

Just that he couldn't with a handgun, because of the law in his town. Because he chose to break the law, he in effect took the law in his own hands. That, IMHO, makes him an asshole.

Nothing any of you pro-gunners posts is gonna change my opinion. he knew what the law was - chose to break it - and should face the consequences.

[RoeBear]

80. Someone said the fine was $750...

...in your opinion was that too high, too low or just right. (I'm assuming no jail time but they confiscate his weapon)

[MrSandman]

58. What about a shotgun or rifle?

"If he wanted to use a gun, he could have used a shotgun or a rifle. But no - he chose to use a handgun. Which is illegal in his town."

Self defense is lawful in most jurisdictions. How does protecting one's self equate with "take the law into own hands"(vigilante behavior)?

[MrSandman]

50. Dems, who is uncivilized enough to use a handgun?

Even if the alleged career criminal is suspect in several home invasions, auto thefts, and burglaries, he peacefully pursued hai alleged career.<sarcasm off>

[Moderator]

81. Locking

nice flamefest, though!