A man taking his trash to an apartment dumpster was shot and killed after he slipped while walking and the gun he was carrying went off accidentally, according to San Antonio police.

    • @Bertuccio@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      184 months ago

      From my read of the article he wasn’t wearing it, he was holding it in his hands along with the trash…

      What’s the line of thinking on that?

      Get up. Realize it’s trash day and grab the trash to go outside - but wait! What if some ne’er-do-well has been lying in ambush until 6 in the fucking morning to rob me of my precious trash? Better grab my heat. Shit I’m still in my pajamas and my holster is in the other room. I’ll just walk out like some romcom librarian, except instead of books I have a heap of trash and a loaded gun and the part where I trip is a lot less cute.

    • @KeelHaulin@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      74 months ago

      Idk I’m a very small woman who lives alone in a bad neighborhood. Had a man try to break in my house. He simply saw me with a gun and ran away. Don’t want to imagine what he could have done if something didn’t scare him away, because it wasn’t my Great Dane and it damn sure wasn’t me that intimidated him.

        • @KeelHaulin@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          44 months ago

          This logic I’ll agree with you on. It is strange that a grown man felt the need to wear his weapon to take the trash out, whereas I never felt like I had to even in my neighborhood. I keep mine in the house purely for defense.

      • Carl
        link
        fedilink
        English
        14 months ago

        Every person commits an offence who, without lawful excuse, points a firearm at another person, whether the firearm is loaded or unloaded.

        Punishment (2) Every person who commits an offence under subsection (1)

        (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-46/page-15.html#:~:text=86 (1) Every person commits,for the safety of other

        It is also a felony in the states, and against the law in most countries.

        • @aodhsishaj@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          3
          edit-2
          4 months ago

          The fact that the person had criminally trespassed, made no due announcement of their presence and was attempting to enter her property absolutely falls within acceptable brandishment in all states of the Union. There is no question that brandishing a firearm in that situation is with lawful excuse.

          Now, if she had pulled the trigger, had an unlicensed or illegal firearm in her state, or sought after the fleeing person, then there’s an argument that she commited a crime.

          • Carl
            link
            fedilink
            English
            14 months ago

            I am not a lawyer. But every state in the u.s. has different laws, about stand your ground. Even in Canada we are only allowed to use as much force as they use against us.

            • @aodhsishaj@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              2
              edit-2
              4 months ago

              Brandishing a weapon and firing it are two completely different things. I would advise caution on making suggestions to people that live in a country whose laws you are not directly familiar with.

              Make special note of “lawful excuse”

        • @KeelHaulin@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          24 months ago

          He was attempting to break down my door. According to the castle doctrine, I could have defended myself in that instance if he would have made it across the threshold. I had my weapon at the ready when he opened my front door without permission. Then he retreated. I called the cops and reported it. Filed a report. The cop said I did everything right.

    • @el_abuelo@programming.dev
      link
      fedilink
      English
      -11
      edit-2
      4 months ago

      Honestly if I lived in the US I probably would. Not because I feel the need to pull it out and show everyone, but because I don’t want to die without a chance to defend myself.

      That said - I think the fact that guns are so readily available in the US is bad and should be stopped so that people don’t feel the need to carry themselves.

      Edit: woah boy this comment really got some people excited. Look, I’m not pro gun and I’m not American - I’m just saying how I feel…nothing more, or less. Over here in Europe I have the luxury of not needing to even think about it…and without any desire to live in America I also don’t need to think much beyond what i shared. Have a great weekend all!

      • @surewhynotlem@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        74 months ago

        Defend yourself how? Really imagine the scenario. Someone wants you dead, so they walk up behind you and shoot you. Where is your opportunity for defense?

        • @el_abuelo@programming.dev
          link
          fedilink
          English
          -24 months ago

          Indeed. I don’t imagine that’s how most deaths by gun violence occur.

          I imagine most of them could be defended against by being better trained than someone looking to steal your stuff.

          I may be wrong. It’s just how I feel on the balance of my current knowledge.

          I will observe: no one in this thread has brought any new facts to the table, just downvotes and hypotheticals.

          • @Soggy@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            44 months ago

            Most deaths by gun violence are self-inflicted. And most of the murders are gang-related.

            Not owning a gun and not joining a gang are far more effective ways to prolong your life than joining in on some Old West shootout.

            • @el_abuelo@programming.dev
              link
              fedilink
              English
              14 months ago

              Fair…I have no reason to dispute you and no reason to believe you…but it sounds sensible and hence if I had to actually make the decision for real I’d look into it!

              I know I sound flippant, and that’s because I am. I don’t need to choose - that choice was made for me. And I’m glad it was.

      • Jerkface (any/all)
        link
        fedilink
        English
        54 months ago

        Do you have any empirical basis to believe that carrying a gun increases and does not decrease your life expectancy

      • Echo Dot
        link
        fedilink
        English
        54 months ago

        I worked in the US for a long time and at no point did I ever feel the need to carry a gun around. If anybody ever did mug me they’d just get my wallet It’s not worth fighting over it.

        If somebody wants me dead then the gun isn’t going to do me any good, how am I going to get it out of the holster in time?

        • @Valmond@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          84 months ago

          You should obviously keep it in your hand, finger on the trigger, at all times. Like the garbage guy in the article.

      • @Zetta@mander.xyz
        link
        fedilink
        English
        44 months ago

        I live in the US, you’re more likely to die in a car accident than get killed by someone with a gun. Plus all us Americans should be pretty desensitized to shootings and what not now, just get over it lol

        • @el_abuelo@programming.dev
          link
          fedilink
          English
          24 months ago

          Yes I believe that to be true. I wear a seat belt for a reason, so I’d carry a firearm for the same reason.

          I am not saying it’s logical, or that it’s my preferred way to live. I am not advocating for gun rights. I am not an American.

          My view is that all guns should be illegal to own. As they are where I live.

        • @el_abuelo@programming.dev
          link
          fedilink
          English
          14 months ago

          The kind of country that has the NRA, The Republican Party, Florida, multiple mass shootings a month, a militarised police force, Donald Trump, the KKK…need I go on?

          Honestly mate I’m well aware of the fact that most folks can lead entirely ordinary gun-free lives in the US. As a European I train in martial arts to ensure I can defend myself, in the US I’d also train in firearms - because that’s the worst case. Not the likely case. The worst case.

          • @zarkanian@sh.itjust.works
            link
            fedilink
            English
            1
            edit-2
            4 months ago

            I’ve never owned a gun, and I’ve never felt the need to own a gun. Not when I lived in a small town and not when I lived in a big city.

            • @el_abuelo@programming.dev
              link
              fedilink
              English
              14 months ago

              Fair play, I believe you. I also have never felt that way, I am simply applying my views on self defence in Europe to a wildly different set of laws…so I’m guessing what I would do. Not saying that’s how everyone feels - just how I feel.