Local news reports on the charges finally brought against the negligent killer. We talked about this one when it first happened. Guns and alcohol don't mix. The problem is most gun owners drink. Some of them drink too much and some even have drinking problems.A 27-year-old man has been charged in the shooting death of his teenage brother during a camping trip in Utah.Eric Charlton, of West Haven, was charged Friday with a second-degree felony count of manslaughter and misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and carrying a dangerous weapon under the influence of alcohol.His 17-year-old brother, Cameron, was shot in the head on May 28 while camping with family and friends at Yuba Lake State Park, about 110 miles south of Salt Lake City.According to court documents, the brothers and a friend were drinking around a campfire at about 3 a.m. when Eric Charlton began demonstrating firearm techniques. His .45-caliber handgun fired.
Why would "carrying a dangerous weapon under the influence of alcohol" NOT be a felony? Does that make sense to you?
Like so many things about the gun debate this is skewed in favor of the gun offenders. We have the NRA lobbyists and the gun-rights activists to thank for that. Being under the influence of alcohol and in possession of a firearm should be taken much more seriously than it is. It shouldn't require someone getting killed before we take notice.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
Once again, you're playing loose with the truth. Most gun owners drink. How you know that is beyond me, but what you're implying, without being brave enough to say it, is that most gun owners drink and then handle guns. As always, I invite you to prove it, not just make guesses based on your biases.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you think, Greg, that most gun owners DO NOT drink?
DeleteWe all have to be responsible for our actions. This jackass killed his brother. I don't care whether he drove over him, dropped an anvil on his head, or shot him. Charge him and hopefully convict him of appropriate crimes such as manslaughter.
ReplyDeleteThere is another apparent failure in this story. No one told the jackass to immediately put his firearm away in a safe manner. When it comes to gun safety, peer pressure should be immediate, unabashed, and relentless.