Man accused of pointing gun over bumper stickers to be tried
Source: Associated Press
Updated 12:46 pm, Friday, January 26, 2018
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) A southwest Missouri man accused of pointing a gun at a Democratic activist whose political bumper stickers he found "stupid" has been bound over for trial.
The Springfield News-Leader reports that a judge ruled Wednesday that there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed against 48-year-old Edward Burns, of Ozark.
He is charged with unlawful use of a weapon in the alleged Aug. 24 road-rage incident that ended with Laura Umphenour crashing into a guardrail on U.S. 65. At the time, Umphenour's minivan was covered with bumper stickers, including ones opposing President Donald Trump, Fox News and puppy mills. Court documents say Burns called the bumper stickers "stupid."
Umphenour says Burns' actions were an attack on free speech. The defense attorneys say Burns was simply standing his ground.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Man-accused-of-pointing-gun-over-bumper-stickers-12528256.php
(Short article, no more at link.)
Older story:
Police: Ozark man aimed gun at woman whose political bumper stickers he found 'stupid'
Will Schmitt, WSCHMITT@NEWS-LEADER.COM Published 5:07 p.m. ET Sept. 6, 2017 | Updated 5:41 p.m. ET Sept. 6, 2017
. . .
Officers determined there was a road rage incident involving Burns and Laura Umphenour, an activist who is a fixture at local left-leaning protests.
According to the statement, both drivers "exchanged offensive hand gestures" and at one point, Umphenour allegedly pulled up alongside Burns and flipped him the bird.
At that point, Burns allegedly pulled a Smith & Wesson .380 handgun from his hip holster and pointed it at Umphenour, police said in the statement.
Umphenour "was in fear of being seriously injured or killed," and she "jerked the steering wheel, lost control of her vehicle, struck the front of (Burns') SUV, and slid across the roadway into a guardrail," according to the statement.
More:
https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2017/09/06/political-bumper-stickers-hand-gesture-blamed-road-rage-incident-gun-police-say-ozark-missouri/638848001/
louis-t
(23,295 posts)OnyxSharpie
(33 posts)Corgigal
(9,291 posts)Check his family, make sure they are ok. Someone who is this much of a hothead would take it out on other humans. Also, check his pets.
PatSeg
(47,501 posts)What, against an offensive hand gesture?
LisaM
(27,813 posts)I certainly don't agree with his actions, and he should never be permitted to carry a gun again, but I don't understand her behavior, either.
PatSeg
(47,501 posts)to antagonize a total stranger in a vehicle. You have no idea what you are dealing with. For some reason, people often think they are safe in their cars and will do outrageous and potentially dangerous things.
moriah
(8,311 posts)I think a bird flip to say "Get the fuck off my ass, I'm already speeding and I'll get over as soon as I can" is safer than a brake tap to make lights flash.
I'd rather them be angry than think I'm actually brake-checking them and do a hard brake in fear of an accident, and therefore potentially cause an accident. Worst response has been it flipped back when they were finally able to pass.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,174 posts)Standing firm and not backing down. ie.. He'll support the dotart and defend his 'honor' as long as he lives.
PatSeg
(47,501 posts)And with a gun too, because that would be a proportional response to a liberal middle finger!
edbermac
(15,941 posts)Just look at that BIG BAD WOMAN! If I came across her, I'd crap my pants.
djg21
(1,803 posts)I dont want to come back to a parked truck to find the windows smashed, or have some dumbfuck right wing nutcase cut me off or throw something out of a sunroof after pulling in front of me. People do really dumb things when they are in vehicles and think they are anonymous and unaccountable. And there are few things more inflammatory now that the current state of politics.
YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)SWBTATTReg
(22,133 posts)end if they perceive or see anything negative about their beliefs, especially right in their faces. Isn't it amazing that they used freedom of speech to suppress anyone's else contrary views.
Fortunately there are getting to be more cameras around, everywhere, in parking lots, cars themselves, people's cell phones, etc. so more and more of this idiotic behavior is captured for tracking down assailants and evidence. Another great thing to do, is install the heck out of cameras in your homes, vehicles, etc., if anything, to protect ourselves.
More so, as you say, w/ all of the road rage stuff going on, it's better to be defensive, not flip off drivers who cut you off, etc., for you really, truly don't know how they are going to react. When my spouse and I are driving on the highway w/ multiple lanes, going both directions, we always drive a little more slower (speed limit) to let the other drivers go racing by in the passing lane (you can go the speed limit or 50 mph faster, there is always, always going to be a driver that will be pissed off that you are not going fast enough, e.g., you can't go fast enough.)
Also, I am making a general statement here, but people that are prone to road rage/politics rage tend to over-react to just about anyone too, so eventually, they are going to run into the wrong person and get killed / injured, or get caught by law enforcement, deserving so.
Gothmog
(145,321 posts)maxsolomon
(33,345 posts)Open season on Liberals is coming, probably around 2021.
Julian Englis
(2,309 posts)AZ8theist
(5,475 posts)I had an upside down American flag decal on the back window of my truck. Some douchebag peeled it off.
Funny how when Obama was president, I saw plenty of upside down flag stickers on vehicles. Gee, I wonder why it's not ok now????