Is this a felon who shouldn't own a gun?

[usmarine0352_2005]

Here is a case where a married couple acted very stupidly and luckily only hurt themselves. Now this man will probably be charged and convicted. Once he serves whatever sentence he may receive (if he even gets jail time) and pays his debt to society, is he the kind of man that shouldn't be allowed to own firearms, being a convicted felon and all?

Think about it.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,359721,00.html

'Assault by Watercraft': Man Charged With Severing Wife's Arm With Ski Boat Propeller
Thursday, May 29, 2008

SPOKANE, Wash. — A man driving a 20-foot ski boat on Newman Lake ran over his wife after she was thrown into the water Wednesday and the boat propeller severed her left arm, a Spokane County sheriff's deputy said.

The woman was taken to a nearby hospital and was expected to survive.

Robert Kienel, 27, of Spokane, was arrested for investigation of assault by watercraft, a Class C felony, Marine Deputy Patrick Bloomer said in a statement.

The deputy said the couple took possession of the ski boat Wednesday afternoon and the woman was riding on the boat's bow while the man drove. She was thrown into the lake when her husband took a hard turn at about 30 mph, the deputy said.

The arm, severed below the elbow, apparently sank and emergency crews could not recover it.

Bloomer said the floor of the boat was "littered with empty beer and wine" containers.

The boat was seized as evidence and the case remains under investigation.

 

[springmom]

Nope. He was BUI. His behavior caused a serious accident that could have cost a life. I have no sympathy at all.

Sorry, but he's no poster child for the restoration of felon rights.

Springmom

 

[TexasRifleman]

Think about it.

If he's stupid and careless enough to get s**tfaced, throw his wife out of the boat, then run over her, maybe he SHOULDN'T own a gun.

Think about it.

If this was an accident you might have a valid argument but this moron did it, if not intentionally then certainly with knowledge that it was a possible outcome of his behavior.

Sorry, the argument doesn't wash.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

yea that kinda stupid has consequences

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

This isn't the best case, but the reason I brought it up is because it is a non-violent (at least in the eyes of the law), unintentional crime that is not gun related whatsoever. ie, a Robbery w/ gun would be.

I'm not saying this guy is a great guy, or that driving drunk isn't a reason NOT to be able to own a gun, I just wanted people's thoughts.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I brought it up is because it is a non-violent (at least in the eyes of the law), unintentional crime that is not gun related whatsoever.

That's arguable too. From the sound if it he may very well have done it intentionally.

She was thrown into the lake when her husband took a hard turn at about 30 mph, the deputy said.

 

[usmarine0352_2005]

That's arguable too. From the sound if it he may very well have done it intentionally.

If this were true then wouldn't he be charged with attempted murder? Or Assault in the 1st degree, intentionally trying to commit severe bodily harm or death?

 

[springmom]

I'm no lawyer, and I didn't even stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night, but I'm betting that "assault by watercraft" will be a first degree assault, or aggravated assault, or whatever it's called in his state. The BUI will ratchet up the charge. It is the same as an assault by motor vehicle, which we usually call "running over somebody". There is nothing in this that suggests restoration of gun rights would make any sense.

Springmom

 

[Rugerlvr]

Charges change. Trials & plea bargains happen. The story isn't over.

 

[coat4gun]

IMHO I think you all are way off base on this. The woman fell off the front of the boat. It is not uncommon to make sharp turns with a power boat when driving. It is called having fun,

She should have been hanging on. Going 30 mph, it would have taken maybe 1/2 second to run over her. No way he was going to stop even if he tried... even if he was totally sober.

This is an accident... a sad one, but nothing more than an accident.

 

[cassandrasdaddy]

i know ita a crime to operate a boat with someone dangling off the front. i know the libertariaqns maintain there should be nolaws but this case kinda shows why we have em

 

[ArmedBear]

i know the libertariaqns maintain there should be nolaws but this case kinda shows why we have em

LOL

Never met a libertariaqn who thought there should be nolaws against vehicular assault, driving drunk, etc.

People have objections to ever-lower legal definitions of "drunk", but not to the idea that drunk driving in a public place with innocent people around should be illegal.

 

[Frog48]

I have no problem with the guy being charged with Boating While Intoxicated, but the assault charge doesnt seem fitting if it wasnt intentional.

 

[ArmedBear]

It doesn't say he was charged with that. It says he was under investigation.

They have to give a reason for arresting him. He might ultimately be charged with BWI (equivalent to DUI in a lot of places).

 

[TAB]

if he is dumb enough to drive a boat drunk, he should not own a gun.

There are lots of felonys out there that should not be felonys...

Lots of western states ( AZ for example) having a fire work is a felony. In ca if you have a non approved fire work its a felony.

For that matter, do you know anyone that has taken off the cats from thier car/truck when putting on a new exhuast system? guess what federal felony.

 

[Biker]

Ridiculous. Accidents happen even to the best people.

Biker

 

[TAB]

if it turns out he was drunk is it still a accident?


car/boat/ plane/ what ever "accidents" are generally not accidents, some one is at fualt.

Just like most AD are ND...

 

[sojournerhome]

Stupid is as stupid does. Do you want a raving alcoholic living next door to you shooting his gun through his wall and your wall?

No thank you. I'm with Spingmom. No sympathy for the idiot. This was not just an accident, but a tragic accident because of bad choice he made.

 

[chupacabrah]

they were drinking and boating, i have no sympathy. she should have been hanging on, and he should have been driving more carefully if she was standing up or being careless in general. accidents happen, but this seems it could have been avoided.

 

[Biker]

In the article, no mention was made as to whether or not the husband was drunk.

Biker

 

[ArmedBear]

Still, I do figure that this guy might learn his lesson. He'll have a sad reminder of his moment of extreme irresponsibility, for the rest of his life, either his one-armed wife or the divorce papers.

 

[Biker]

I agree. I doubt that any court enforced punishment could equal the punishment he's inflicting upon himself.

Biker

 

[Art Eatman]

We got lotsa speculations about the "true facts", but little factual knowledge. And otherwise, it's just an opinion thread, having little to do with the laws about Being Stupid.

So take it to APS er sumpn...

Art