Poor Judgement, Over Reaction Or Both

[MikeBjerum]

'Just playing' with airguns ends in arrest
The Free Press


MANKATO July 24, 2008 04:08 pm

— Two people who were “just playing” with a couple air guns in front of their downtown Mankato residence ended up arrested at gunpoint and jailed Wednesday.
A woman driving past a duplex in the 400 block of South Fourth Street reported someone pointed a gun at her around noon. A police officer responding to the report found Emmelia Marie Sack and Dustin Anthony Paxson, both 18, with guns in hand.
Both guns, one handgun and one rifle, were actually “airsoft” guns, which fire soft non-lethal pellets.
A charge of second-degree assault was being requested for Paxson because he allegedly pointed the gun at someone who didn’t know it wasn’t real. Charges of making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct were being requested for both Sack and Paxson.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.


All I can say is that with Mankato Police Department and Blue Earth County's recent history of use of force these two are lucky they are not in the morgue with several new orfices.

[WatchManUSA]

It is definitely poor judgment on behalf of the two young adults.  They violated the basic rules of gun safety.  Pointing a gun at someone is no joke even if it is an airsoft.  Someone driving past could easily interpret an airsoft gun as real if were pointed at them.

It is most definitely an overreaction on behalf of authorities.  The young adults need to learn a very hard lesson but charges of making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct seems to go over the top.

Perhaps they will let them plead down to a misdemeanor.

[gunman1911]

I am sure that when they call went out it was something like this "two men with guns out side of a dwelling at such and such address" when the officers responded and seen the two with what appeared to be weapons the reacted in a safe manner, the charges I feel are a bit hard in my humble little opinion but there had to be some,after all to point a real looking weapon at a citizen is a serous incident that needs to be treated seriously, it is NOT a game nor is it funny. There could have been more serous repercussions , what if the citizen had a CCW and reacted to having a gun pointed at them, what if the turned on the officers and the reaction as trained. Very , Very bad judgement, maybe a strong talking to by the officers to the boys and parents explaining that this could have turned out in a fatal shooting and how it would ruin the lives of all involved. These types of talks lead to humiliation and realization and hopefully keep people from doing these stupid things again.

[CZShooter]

+1

I think "brandishing" would be an appropriate charge.

[Hazcat]

Gman,
All in all I agree with you EXCEPT (you knew it was coming ) for the strong talking.  I would say confiscate the 'guns', stiff fine and 250 hrs public service (orange vest and trash time!).

[Sponsor]

[Teresa Heilevang]

Of course.......................................
If the 2 were illegal immigrants.. they would get a slap on the hand and be at Taco Bell by 8 the next morning. 

((I know I know... I'm a bit bitchy tonight))   

((I like your punishment best haz)) 

[Hazcat]

M'ette,

I'd say nice new avatar EXCEPT (you knew it was coming ) for the DUDE (Hi Sugar ) standing next to you.

[DDMac]

Yet another case where stupidity translated into more bad press for gun owners.
Mac.

[Teresa Heilevang]

M'ette,

I'd say nice new avatar EXCEPT (you knew it was coming ) for the DUDE (Hi Sugar ) standing next to you.

I'm fixin on changing it in a minute...LOl

( Marshal is soooo laughing his ass off)

[m25operator]

This is a big if, did they really point the airsoft at somebody, even if they didn't, allowing someone to see who is untrained and may call in on you, can be big trouble depending on the constabulary around you.

I love airsoft, but keep it out of sight of the public. If they both had the orange rings around the muzzle, then in MHO, they should have been told to expect such treatment, as the public has no distinction between real and toys, and most airsofts resemble their counterparts beautifully. But they have broken no law, if they pointed said toys towards anyone, then, Sorry all bets are off. Many convenience stores have been robbed by BB pistols that look like 1911's. In this case the terrorist angle seems a big stretch. However, could a group of terrorist, rob or control a group of people with airsoft guns, with the orange rings removed, that look like MP5's, or M16's, at least for a little while.

I'm a big airgun fan, and had a range set up in my backyard. The law was called on me, and when I showed them my range, they said, you not breaking any laws, but maybe you could do it differently. My high powered air guns are loud, so now I shoot Aquila super colibri .22rf's which is illegal but much quieter, and have no problems. Of course I have never pointed any of these airguns or firearms at anyone.