My friend was shot at 10 times on Sunday.

[Clint0n]

Early Sunday morning before sunrise my friend was walking to a hunting spot on my property when he heard gunshots and bullets whizzing by his head. He escaped unharmed and called police. After determining the shots came from a neighboring property, the police questioned the resident and he confessed to doing the shooting. They recovered 7 shell casings and seized his gun. They charged him with 'Reckless Handling of a Firearm' a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a maximum of 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine. The police said thats the most they can charge him with. Apparently, in Virginia, in order for it to be a felony someone has to get shot.

My friend was wearing a headlamp, the police confirmed it was visible from the guys porch, thats what the guy was shooting at. Deer and raccoons don't walk around with flashlights, people do.

Basically this guy shot at person that was standing on someone else's property, and he's getting a slap on the wrist. Here's the kicker: the police told me he has other guns they were unable to seize.

A misdemeanor for shooting at a person?? Does this sound like bullshit to anyone else? I'm starting to think this guy goes to church with the sheriff... Is there anything we can do to bump up the charges?

[onehandle]

1. Just another day in gun culture. nt

[orleans]

2. sounds like it to me. n/t

[elleng]

3. 'Bumping up the charges' depends on state law,

and I'm not familiar with VA law. Post in VA group?

[whistler162]

4. Did he hit any trees? Sue him for property damage.

Sounds like the law was established for the citidiots who want a once in a life challenge of hunting for their food and shoot at anything that moves.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

5. You and your friend should discuss the matter with an attorney

What the police and local prosecutor are willing to charge may be due interpreting the event as a hunting mishap which seems, at least to me, a bit shortsighted. Maybe he's getting the benefit of the doubt; maybe he is a friend of the Sheriff. IMHO (I'm not an attorney) you may each also have the basis for a civil suit.

You may also want to post this in either of these groups:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1172
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1214

There are folks that may have some useful advice based on Virginia experience.

[Clint0n]

10. Thanks for the links

I wasn't sure where to post. (I usually come here just to read). My friend is very disturbed by the incident, I think he will end up talking with an attorney.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

11. Seriously, I would

I do more reading than posting also. It is said that we have one mouth and two ears that they should be used in that same proportion.

I happen to be rather pro-gun but IMHO people like your neighbor are true problems, endanger those around them and give other firearm owners a bad name. You called the police. You did the right thing.

IIRC: "Evil men need nothing more to accomplish their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing." - John Stuart Mill

[Arugula Latte]

6. Yay, Freedom.

Sorry about this. It is ridiculous.

[hunter]

7. Your friend shood have shot right back, making sure to hit the guy.

I'm sure that's legal.

God Bless America!

[Clint0n]

9. Lol, the funny thing is

I tell my friends that come over to hunt to be mindful of his house!

[madinmaryland]

8. A responsible gun owner...

until he wasn't.

[DFW]

12. I recommend your friend put just as many bullets into the shooter's house.

His defense can be that he was not involved in reckless shooting. He was shooting with precision and was at all time cognizant of what he was shooting at and why.