Bob Irwin highlights the latest self defense and other shootings of the week. Read them and see what went wrong, what went right and what we can learn from self defense with a gun.
USA –-(Ammoland.com)- The Peoria Journal Star reports 01-04-2017 in Peoria, Illinois, the first homicide of the year appears to have started from an argument and could wind up being a case of self-defense.
Assistant State’s Attorney Dave Kenny told Chief Peoria County Judge Paul Gilfillan on Wednesday that his office wasn’t “comfortable” charging a 29 year old, on Sheridan Road, with murder in connection with Monday night’s shooting death of a 37 year old outside his home.
The shooter told police he had heard a noise outside his house and went to a grab a shotgun he had under his couch. Upon going outside about 8 p.m., he saw someone he recognized, who he thinks was trying to collect on an old debt.
The shooter told police that he thought the man had a handgun and when he started to walk toward him with his hand in his pocket, (Or down by his side) holding the gun.
He fired a single shot, hitting the debt collector in the abdomen. A small handgun was found near where the intruder fell. Police also found a footprint on the front door of the house, which backed up what the shooter and his girlfriend said, that they had heard a noise of someone kicking the door.
But the shooter was charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon, based upon a 2004 aggravated battery conviction, and ordered held on $30,000 bond pending a Feb. 2 2017 preliminary hearing. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.
Before the hearing, State’s Attorney said the investigation continues.
The intruder who was from the local area was pronounced dead about 8:30 p.m. at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center.
Comments:
Collecting on an old debt with a firearm? Obviously not a case for small claims court. We will assume this was as presented, just two guys in a money dispute.
Not all of America uses the small claims court system to collect disputed funds. In our at large off the books society such things are often handled person to person.
Get advice from legal aid, they have free lawyers who can help you through the more civilized system.
If you’re a prohibited person, a firearm used even in defense presents an interesting issue.
Bob Irwin, The Gun Store, Las Vegas
About Bob Irwin
The writer is the owner of The Gun Store in Las Vegas and has a gun talk radio show “Fired Up with Bob Irwin” Firedup is now on KSHP 1400 am radio from 9 to 10 pm on Thursdays and also on YouTube “Fired Up with Bob Irwin.