Excessive use of force by a citizen?

[Ripsnort]

http://www.komoradio.com/news/local/17364314.html

He held 4 youths at gunpoint and called police after being shot at with an airsoft gun. I guess I'm kinda split on this...if he knew it was an airsoft gun, then I believe it was excessive use of force.  If he didn't know it was an airsoft gun, then perhaps it was justified?

What do you think?

[indy007]

1) A quality airsoft gun looks exactly like a real gun. That's the point of them, good simulation. They're lucky he didn't return fire.
2) If the law pertaining to paintball guns applies, it's assault with a deadly weapon (detached retina = no fun). If it was a wal-mart gun, the the odds are very low it would do more than just sting for a few seconds, but built-up airsoft guns can break 400fps no problem.

Little bastards deserved it. I'm biased though. I see it as stupid kids doing stupid things that can lead to legislation against fun, perfectly-legal hobbies. They deserve the punishment, and need to be very thankful one or more of them didn't get killed.

[Airscrew]

well I wasnt there so I can say if it was excessive... but... after reading the article,  at some point the man was aware these were not real weapons and he should have put away his weapon.

and like Indy said, stupid kids doing stupid stuff

[lasersailor184]

http://www.komoradio.com/news/local/17364314.html

He held 4 youths at gunpoint and called police after being shot at with an airsoft gun. I guess I'm kinda split on this...if he knew it was an airsoft gun, then I believe it was excessive use of force.  If he didn't know it was an airsoft gun, then perhaps it was justified?

What do you think?

In many places, the use of a fake gun like a real gun is just as much of a crime as if they had used a real gun to begin with.

[GtoRA2]

He did not shoot then so no, excessive force was not used.

[SFCHONDO]

Absolutely zero excessive force here. He didn't shoot them, beat them, or restrain them in a physical way.

[68Hawk]

Airsoft guns don't shoot at a high enough muzzle velocity to do much damage, but a critical hit can really mess someone up.  The guy was confronted with a weapon and drew his own.  He refrained from shooting the kids, which would have definitely been excessive.  He did the right thing and called the authorities.  Turns out the kids had been doing it to other people too.  Good thing this guy put a stop to them.

indy is right.  This is the kind of irresponsible behavior that leads to bleeding heart legislation banning what would otherwise be a good recreational device.  The kids deserve to get scared a little.  I'm glad the man did what he did.

[splitatom]

all that he did was hold them at gun point for shooting him with a fake gun he did nothing wrong

[Wolf14]

If it was a court case, as a juror, I'd agree with what he did. Sorry, I kinda take offence myself with somebody shooting a projectile of any kind that could if nothing else damage my eyes.




Wolfy

[wrongwayric]

If you walk into a bank pull an airsoft pistol and attempt to hold it up what will you be charged with? Armed robbery in my state! Those kids are darn lucky they didn't get shot.

[Yeager]

Those kids are darn lucky they didn't get shot.

Darned lucky.  Double darned lucky......Doing that sort of thing (shooting airsoft pellets at strangers) WILL get you SHOT.