Monday, September 24, 2012

Lawful Maine Gun Owner Gets a Slap on the Wrist for Criminal Negligence

Local news reports

Kittery police said they were called to the housing development around 1 a.m. after a resident reported what appeared to be a stray bullet fired into the residence.

Kittery police said that following their investigation they determined a 45 caliber bullet had entered the victim's apartment after being fired through the floor of an upstairs tenant. The projectile passed through a child's bedroom ceiling, through a door and became lodged in a Sheetrock wall.

Police charged Christian Gochez, 21, no address given, with reckless conduct, a class D misdemeanor. According to police, Gochez was visiting with a friend in an upstairs apartment when the gun was fired. The downstairs tenants were not aware of the incident, police said, until they noticed the hole in the ceiling and then reported it to the property management company and police.

Kittery police on Saturday morning said they are continuing to investigate what was reported to them as an accidental discharge. 

Gochez was released from custody and is scheduled to appear Dec. 13 in York District Court.
Don't you find it a bit discouraging when they treat serious incidents of gun negligence with such nonchalance? Why do you think that is?

Wouldn't my one-strike-you're-out rule be better to clean up the gun-owning world?

Yes, it would.

What's your opinion?  Please leave a comment.

1 comment:

  1. 1. He was charged with reckless conduct. That's hardly nonchalance.

    2. Claiming that he was the lawful owner of the gun is more than your source supports.

    ReplyDelete