Get off my property

[ICantSpellDawg]

I wonder what sort of reaction the fellow might get if he decided to "excercise" his property and gun rights as the Presidential motorcade passed by? Cold slab, anyone?

Say what you want, but this is clearly wrong/stupid, and going out to your property line with a gun to in effect pick a fight will get your a$$ in big trouble, even in Texas. Hearing, but not seeing the gunshot, someone could make the assumption he was a threat and draw their own weapon ordering him to drop his, in which case you have a standoff with firearms. It is Texas afterall, and licensed concealed carry is common. This wasn't some sort of innocent act. Texas is quite tolerant of legitimate self defense, property defense, and firearms use. This is not an example of that.

Him getting a pass from local law enforcement in a small town in Texas...yeah, that's a real shocker.

where is the trouble?
i havnt seen any charges pressed

if he was acting within his rights then there is no problem here

some people seem to be arguing that even though he did it, seemed to have the legal right to do it where he was (on his property in texas) and has incurred no legal trouble from the action that he broke the law. he did not fire his weapon "across a public road" but rather across FROM a public road on his own property

if the protestors have been there for months and are affecting his ability to excercise his rights as a property owning citizen THAT would be an injustice

if firing his gun on his own property when a protest was not going on is ok and firing his gun when a protest IS going on is not - then months of a public protest that impedes his free excercise of his rights is not acceptable

i agree that this came close to breaking the law - but it did not break the law - the sherriff said so on national television - he isnt some endless authority figure - he answers to someone

and hasnt incured any wrath so far

i dont know - what does a lawyer think about this?

[Red Harvest]

some people seem to be arguing that even though he did it, seemed to have the legal right to do it where he was (on his property in texas) and has incurred no legal trouble from the action that he broke the law. he did not fire his weapon "across a public road" but rather across FROM a public road on his own property

Do you think that would hold up had the President's motorcade been passing by and he decided to "protest by discharging a firearm?" He lives next to him you know... This doesn't pass the "smell test." Doesn't really matter what the political orientation of the protesters were does it? Last I checked, citizens were supposed to have the same fundamental rights and protections.

if the protestors have been there for months and are affecting his ability to excercise his rights as a property owning citizen THAT would be an injustice

if firing his gun on his own property when a protest was not going on is ok and firing his gun when a protest IS going on is not - then months of a public protest that impedes his free excercise of his rights is not acceptable

That's all well and good, only it doesn't apply:
1. "starting their second week of demonstrations"
2. How was re really being restricted from using his property? Could he have been shooting from the other side of it? How big is this property? If it is an acre, then maybe.
3. If he was being prevented from preparing for dove season, what sort of targeting shooting was he doing? Firing straight up in the air at nothing...and having a few beers first while watching a crowd. Yeah, this guy shouldn't be given a hunting license either. Idiots like that give the rest of us bad names.
4. Did he attempt to resolve any problems through local law enforcement or even a discussion with the organizers? Something like, "I'm going to be doing some target shooting, don't be alarmed. Just thought you would want to know." That's what most of us out in the sticks do if we have a sensitive neighbor.

i agree that this came close to breaking the law - but it did not break the law - the sherriff said so on national television - he isnt some endless authority figure - he answers to someone

Sheriff's are elected. So he answers to the GOP electorate of his county (Democrat's need not apply.) His political views are unlikely to represent any of those present at the scene other than shotgun Bubba.

As it is up to law enforcement's discretion, it depends more on the location and politics than on the legality or illegality of the act.

[Redleg]

Sheriff's are elected. So he answers to the GOP electorate of his county (Democrat's need not apply.) His political views are unlikely to represent any of those present at the scene other than shotgun Bubba.

Party politics usually have very little to do with rural county elections - so the shot at the GOP is just another attempt at demonizing the opposition. In such counties as the one Crawford is in - the Sherrif must attempt to appease all the law abiding people and maintain law and order or they do not get re-elected.

As it is up to law enforcement's discretion, it depends more on the location and politics than on the legality or illegality of the act.

Its always up to the law enforcement's discretion - regardles of the politicial afflication of the law enformement representive.