Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Continuing to make the point that when we live in a violent society, when we are not safe (with or without weapons), then we are not free, and too many guns make us LESS free, not more free.  I would further posit that any philosophy (or legislation that expresses that POV or philosophy) which places property above human beings in value, as I would argue the proposed expansion of when it is legal to shoot someone in Minnesota does, raises the level of violence in our society.

Another story of violence in safer, more peaceful Minnesota (compared to other states), from the STrib:
Charges filed in alleged drug-related shooting in Mpls.
Authorities say a small-time marijuana deal ended up with a man bound, robbed, shot and left for dead.
A Minneapolis man who thought he was making a small-scale marijuana deal ended up robbed, bound with duct tape, shot in the back and left for dead, according to attempted murder and robbery charges filed Monday.
Jaylynn Malcolm Evans, 19, was charged in Hennepin County District Court with attempted murder, first-degree assault and first-degree aggravated robbery. The charges stem from a May 3 attack at the victim's home in the 3600 block of Portland Avenue S. in Minneapolis.
According to charges, police were called and found the man on the floor with a gunshot wound to his shoulder and back. People at the scene had cut the tape from his ankles before police arrived. Doctors said the bullet entered his back at the shoulder, causing his lung to collapse, and lodged in his chest.
Interviewed on the night of the shooting, the unnamed victim told police that Evans wanted to buy marijuana. The victim said he knew Evans from previous drug deals.
Evans arrived at the duplex's common area and allegedly asked the victim whether he had change for a $100 bill.
The victim said he went upstairs to get change but grew suspicious and turned around without the money. The victim was walking down the staircase when Evans allegedly pointed a gun and ordered him to the ground.
Evans let two men into the common area and ordered them to tie up the victim, the charges said. One man held a gun to the victim's head while the other bound him with electrical tape. Evans allegedly rifled through the victim's pockets, taking a cell phone and marijuana.
The victim told police he heard more than one person say "shoot him, shoot him." One suspect then shot him in the back, charges say, and the three ran away.
Charges say the victim identified Evans in a photo lineup. He was arrested May 13 and remains in the Hennepin County jail in lieu of $1 million bail. No others have been charged.
ABBY SIMONS

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