Boy tells police that driver shot family in road rage run-in
Source: Associated Press
Kathleen Foody, Associated Press
Updated 6:56 pm, Friday, June 15, 2018
DENVER (AP) A 12-year-old boy told police he saw a driver open fire on his family during a road rage confrontation in Colorado, killing his older brother and critically wounding his mother and younger brother, authorities said Friday.
Police arrested Jeremy Webster, 23, hours after the shooting that killed a 13-year-old boy and also wounded a bystander not related to the family. Webster acknowledged shooting four people in a suburban Denver parking lot and told officers he "has mental health issues," according to a search warrant, which did not specify his mental status.
The 12-year-old, who was not injured, told police that his mother and another driver were involved "in some type of road rage incident" near a business complex in the city of Westminster.
He said the driver followed the family's car into the parking lot and argued briefly with his mother before opening fire, according to the warrant filed in court Friday.
Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Suspect-arrested-in-Colorado-shooting-boy-12997377.php
Jeremy Webster
Bluepinky
(2,276 posts)Sancho
(9,070 posts)This is my generic response to gun threads where people are shot and killed by the dumb or criminal possession of guns. For the record, I grew up in the South and on military bases. I was taught about firearms as a child, and I grew up hunting, was a member of the NRA, and I still own guns. In the 70s, I dropped out of the NRA because they become more radical and less interested in safety and training. Some personal experiences where people I know were involved in shootings caused me to realize that anyone could obtain and posses a gun no matter how illogical it was for them to have a gun. Also, easy access to more powerful guns, guns in the hands of children, and guns that werent secured are out of control in our society. As such, heres what I now think ought to be the requirements to possess a gun. Im not debating the legal language, I just think its the reasonable way to stop the shootings. Notice, none of this restricts the type of guns sold. This is aimed at the people who shoot others, because its clear that they should never have had a gun.
1.) Anyone in possession of a gun (whether they own it or not) should have a regularly renewed license. If you want to call it a permit, certificate, or something else that's fine.
2.) To get a license, you should have a background check, and be examined by a professional for emotional and mental stability appropriate for gun possession. It might be appropriate to require that examination to be accompanied by references from family, friends, employers, etc. This check is not to subject you to a mental health diagnosis, just check on your superficial and apparent gun-worthyness.
3.) To get the license, you should be required to take a safety course and pass a test appropriate to the type of gun you want to use.
4.) To get a license, you should be over 21. Under 21, you could only use a gun under direct supervision of a licensed person and after obtaining a learners license. Your license might be restricted if you have children or criminals or other unsafe people living in your home. (If you want to argue 18 or 25 or some other age, fine. 21 makes sense to me.)
5.) If you possess a gun, you would have to carry a liability insurance policy specifically for gun ownership - and likely you would have to provide proof of appropriate storage, security, and whatever statistical reasons that emerge that would drive the costs and ability to get insurance.
6.) You could not purchase a gun or ammunition without a license, and purchases would have a waiting period.
7.) If you possess a gun without a license, you go to jail, the gun is impounded, and a judge will have to let you go (just like a DUI).
8.) No one should carry an unsecured gun (except in a locked case, unloaded) when outside of home. Guns should be secure when transporting to a shooting event without demonstrating a special need. Their license should indicate training and special carry circumstances beyond recreational shooting (security guard, etc.). If you are carrying your gun while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you lose your gun and license.
9.) If you buy, sell, give away, or inherit a gun, your license information should be recorded.
10.) If you accidentally discharge your gun, commit a crime, get referred by a mental health professional, are served a restraining order, etc., you should lose your license and guns until reinstated by a serious relicensing process.
Most of you know that a license is no big deal. Besides a drivers license you need a license to fish, operate a boat, or many other activities. I realize these differ by state, but that is not a reason to let anyone without a bit of sense pack a semiautomatic weapon in public, on the roads, and in schools. I think we need to make it much harder for some people to have guns.
For those who want to argue legality, please reference: The Second Amendment: A Biography by Michael Waldman
Phoenix61
(17,018 posts)who would do that exam. There is no way to know what someone will do in the future. That's why we need gun control.
Sancho
(9,070 posts)Read the license...if you appear to have an issue, then you can be referred, but meanwhile you can't drive.
Same thing. It's not a mental health exam.
Phoenix61
(17,018 posts)If you are assessing for mental and/or emotional stability that most definitely is a mental health exam.
Sancho
(9,070 posts)Examples:
In your license application:
1.) Fill out a questionaire - are you on a prescription for anxiety or depression?
2.) Have you been diagnosed as...
3.) Why do you want a gun?
Name 3 family members or coworkers that we can call.
You get the idea. A SUPERFICIAL check to see if there are any warning signs. If so, then to get a permit to possess or use a gun you'd need to be cleared by a mental health examination. The mental health professional can diagnose whatever they want, but meanwhile NO GUN.
If you get a Scuba permit, they ask if you have a medical issue - but don't diagnose!! If you do, then you have to get cleared by an MD.
Simple.
You can also have all the "gun control" you want - and I'm in favor of less guns. OTOH, to purchase, use, or possess a gun you should have a license in your pocket!! It should be a result of a basic screening process.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)Face facts, something has to be wrong with you if your routine includes strapping on a gun and/or loading one in your vehicle before you can walk out the door.
KG
(28,752 posts)LuckyLib
(6,819 posts)Why cant you just do yourself in off in a field somewhere? Why do you have to take innocents with you?
Canoe52
(2,949 posts)When will there be enough guns to stop this carnage?
Yellowdog88
(66 posts)fine example of our precious gun culture. Endowed rights, my ass. It's a collection of highly insecure, agrieved malcontents that feel that they need this "tool" to venture out into the streets. God would not perpetrate such stupidity onto the rest of us, right?