St. Cloud Brandisher in the Klink

[DeanC]

St. Cloud driver who was cut off flashes headlights, stares down handgun

One motorist is now in jail after the conflict on a busy street.

By PAUL WALSH, Star Tribune

Last update: February 17, 2010 - 8:59 AM

A motorist flashed his headlights in response to being cut off on a busy St. Cloud street, prompting the other driver to flash his handgun in an act that led to his arrest, according to authorities.

The gunman, a 30-year-old man from Little Falls, Minn., was jailed Tuesday in lieu of a felony charge of terroristic threats, police said.

According to police:

The 30-year-old, driving an SUV, cut off the other driver shortly before 6 p.m. The second motorist reacted by flashing his headlights and honking at the SUV driver. As the two vehicles headed west on Division Street, the SUV driver brandished a handgun, making sure the other motorist saw it.

"The victim reported being in fear for his life and notified police," read a statement from St. Cloud police.

Officers pulled over and arrested the suspect. A gun was found in the vehicle.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482

[Paul]

I wonder if he had a permit.

[Stradawhovious]

I wonder if he had a permit.

"had" being the operative word......

[macphisto]

Are we now at the point where we use the word gunman to refer to anyone doing anything with a gun? It's not like he climbed a bell tower.


Note: What this guy did was stupid and he should face consequences. I'm just attacking the language in the article.

[mlmmitchell07]

I think that if someone is going to branshish their firearm for that reason or similar reasons they should have their permit pulled, myself included. As a owner, pulling my weapon other than for cleaning and training is of last resort and for fear of my life or my family. At least that is my take on the subject.

Mike
`"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed" - Second Amendment

[scout]

I think that if someone is going to brandish their firearm for that reason or similar reasons they should have their permit pulled, myself included. As a owner, pulling my weapon other than for cleaning and training is of last resort and for fear of my life or my family. At least that is my take on the subject.

i completely agree.

[Rev. Dead Corpse]

I wonder if he had a permit.

"had" being the operative word......

If he "had" a permit he obviously missed the part of the carry course that touches on BRANDISHING and how it is a no-no. At least, a lot of this stuff was brought up in the course I took.

Personally, I don't see the big deal unless Dumbass actually POINTED the firearm directly at the guy behind him. Outside of this incident, a lot of the guys I've heard of getting nabbed for "brandishing" were in "concealed only" States and had their jacket blow open or were imprinting through their cover and the cops nailed them anyway. The rest, like this guy, only brought it on themselves.

This article would have been even more humorous had the complainant actually been armed himself and brandished BACK. My dos centavos...

[Paul]

You think it's OK to pull out your gun and wave it at someone because they honk at you or flash their lights?

[macphisto]

You think it's OK to pull out your gun and wave it at someone because they honk at you or flash their lights?

Yeah, jeez, you're only supposed to flash your piece if they escalate the situation by giving you the finger.

[Paul]

Oh, OK. Well that at least makes sense. What if they give you the horse eye? Is that OK too?

[macphisto]

If the horse eye is similar to the stink eye or evil eye, then that's a real gray area.

[Stradawhovious]

Personally, I don't see the big deal unless Dumbass actually POINTED the firearm directly at the guy behind him.

Really? You don't? I would think that ANY situation that escalates to the point of someone pulling a firearm is a "big deal". If in fact the story is accurate, the firearm was displayed as an attempt intimidation It seems like it was pretty suddessful at that. I'll tell you what, if some jackass pulls a gun in front of you at the grocery store simply because he wanted a twinkie and you took the last box........ will it be OK as long as he doesn't point it at you, and only waves it around in a threatening manner?

Didn't think so.

[Paul]

If the horse eye is similar to the stink eye or evil eye, then that's a real gray area.

Yeah that would be it.

What if they shake their head in a disgusted manner while giving said eye? Then I think I should be OK.

[macphisto]

If the horse eye is similar to the stink eye or evil eye, then that's a real gray area.

Yeah that would be it.

What if they shake their head in a disgusted manner while giving said eye? Then I think I should be OK.

Then I'd definitely keep my gun holstered because it's probably my mother or my wife.

[Bessy]

Personally, I don't see the big deal unless Dumbass actually POINTED the firearm directly at the guy behind him.

1. Obviously you missed the part of the course were your instructor went over where brandishing lies on the use of force spectrum.

2. If you don't think brandish is a big deal... you should not be carrying. In Minnesota, there is a difference between brandishing and flashing. Flashing is not a big deal thanks to our excellent carry laws... intentional brandishing is whole other story.