Do you think this gun owner went to far?

[XavierBK]

I'm a member of "PA Open Carry" on Facebook but I don't pay much attention to it because there seems to be a lot of idiots from Philly on there who just say the stupidest things.

Anyway, I took a quick look today and saw this story that I felt I should respond to. What do you think, did he go too far?

Keep in mind, I'm all for helping the boy but not by trying to be Mr. Vigilante. I'd have given the boy a ride, called the police, maybe scouted around for the bike and who may have taken it but I definitely would not have initiated a confrontation waving around an unloaded pistol at a group of apparent criminals.

And I really find it hard to believe that the PSP, of all agencies, would condone that kind of behavior.

[PowerPM]

The open carrier went too far in my opinion. If he saw the theft and knew the kid with the bike was unable to defend himself or was immediate danger, he should have inserted himself to prevent the theft.

The LEO should have been called and a police report filled. That is their job to investigate and enforce the laws and penalties of breaking the laws.

When was the sat time you ever heard of a LEO actually "Preventing" a crime by being present? I am sure it gets reported as often as an armed citizen does preventing a crime or protecting one's self...

[wellcraft]

"IF" the story is true the guy is a fool for posting it on a public forum. no ones life was in danger nor was anyone being threatened with death or serious injury so it seems to me the OP could easily be charged with a crime.

[Hokkmike]

Who knows if it even happened?

And if it did - BAD MOVE.

Worse yet to publish it on the internet.

Something not right about all of this.

(not you OP, just the account)

[39flathead]

Seems like a troller to me.

[Jhaydeno]

I can't say I wouldn't have gone after the perps myself, but I highly doubt I would have pulled a weapon unless someone else escalated the situation to the level where my life was in danger. I certainly wouldn't have told anyone about the incident except my wife!
Using a gun as leverage or to prove a point is reckless and irresponsible. It will eventually get him killed or land him in prison...

[BestDefense=StrongOffense]

That story has so much bullshit in it, I can smell it over here

[CHEMICAL]

Do I think he went to far what?...and.....how do you "far" something?

Honestly, I wish more people would intervene in violent acts but he may just have stepped slightly over the line. Stealing a bike is not a felony.

[XavierBK]

Do I think he went to far what?...and.....how do you "far" something?

Honestly, I wish more people would intervene in violent acts but he may just have stepped slightly over the line. Stealing a bike is not a felony.

I posted this first thing in the morning, you're lucky it's coherent.

I agree; Jumping into a situation to stop a rape or murder is one thing but chasing down a petty bicycle thief and waving your unloaded weapon around to gain compliance is a whole other ball game.

Good to see I'm not the only one to feel that this is either BS or the guy is an idiot.

[ungawa]

Do I think he went to far what?...and.....how do you "far" something?

Honestly, I wish more people would intervene in violent acts but he may just have stepped slightly over the line. Stealing a bike is not a felony.

Yeah, unfortunately PA is not as friendly as some other places, in law or in general practice, when it comes to standing up to criminals. And it is a shame that people can't or won't stand up more often. NYC being an example of where that type of culture eventually leads - a place where 40 people on a train do nothing while one man bashes the brains out of another man with a hammer.

That being said, even if it were legal, I don't think I would point a gun at somebody over a stolen bike. I don't point a gun at anything I'm not willing to shoot, and I'm not shooting somebody over a stolen bike.