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Judi Lynn

(160,545 posts)
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 03:22 PM Jan 2018

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/
17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Man accused of pointing gun over bumper stickers to be tried (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jan 2018 OP
Standing his ground after initiating the incident. louis-t Jan 2018 #1
Worked for George Zimmerman. nt OnyxSharpie Jan 2018 #15
Who's stupid now? Corgigal Jan 2018 #2
"Standing his ground"??? PatSeg Jan 2018 #3
It sounds as if she pulled up next to him and flipped him the bird. LisaM Jan 2018 #4
It is really risky PatSeg Jan 2018 #5
My middle finger got itchy after NYC driving, but now it's usually just put up in the rearview. moriah Jan 2018 #13
He no doubt interprets it as LiberalLovinLug Jan 2018 #14
Yes PatSeg Jan 2018 #17
Can't blame the guy for standing his ground. edbermac Jan 2018 #6
Which is why I dont put political bumper stickers on my truck djg21 Jan 2018 #7
Oh hell no. Especially down here in the South. YOHABLO Jan 2018 #12
You're right unfortunately. There are too many people who will go off in the deep ... SWBTATTReg Jan 2018 #16
Lock this idiot up for a very long time Gothmog Jan 2018 #8
If he's convicted, Trump will just pardon him. maxsolomon Jan 2018 #9
This is what a terrorist looks like. n/t Julian Englis Jan 2018 #10
Happened to me in Arizona AZ8theist Jan 2018 #11

Corgigal

(9,291 posts)
2. Who's stupid now?
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 03:27 PM
Jan 2018

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.

LisaM

(27,813 posts)
4. It sounds as if she pulled up next to him and flipped him the bird.
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 04:01 PM
Jan 2018

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)
5. It is really risky
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 04:19 PM
Jan 2018

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)
13. My middle finger got itchy after NYC driving, but now it's usually just put up in the rearview.
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 09:56 PM
Jan 2018

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)
14. He no doubt interprets it as
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 11:41 PM
Jan 2018

Standing firm and not backing down. ie.. He'll support the dotart and defend his 'honor' as long as he lives.

edbermac

(15,941 posts)
6. Can't blame the guy for standing his ground.
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 05:06 PM
Jan 2018

Just look at that BIG BAD WOMAN! If I came across her, I'd crap my pants.

 

djg21

(1,803 posts)
7. Which is why I dont put political bumper stickers on my truck
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 05:16 PM
Jan 2018

I don’t 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.

SWBTATTReg

(22,133 posts)
16. You're right unfortunately. There are too many people who will go off in the deep ...
Sat Jan 27, 2018, 08:49 AM
Jan 2018

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.

maxsolomon

(33,345 posts)
9. If he's convicted, Trump will just pardon him.
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 05:53 PM
Jan 2018

Open season on Liberals is coming, probably around 2021.

AZ8theist

(5,475 posts)
11. Happened to me in Arizona
Fri Jan 26, 2018, 07:12 PM
Jan 2018

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????

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