Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Killing out of fear

Mr. Dunn has now been convicted of murder over booming rap music in a gasoline station parking lot. Is Mr. Dunn a murderer? Well, legally, yes, but he is no different from other gun owners who do not have murder in their hearts but who, when frightened, kill innocent persons.

As with millions of gun owners, Mr. Dunn lives in fear. No evidence was presented suggesting that Mr. Dunn was ever robbed, threatened, or mugged, yet he carried a weapon because he was afraid of a life-threatening assault.

Just who would attack him can only be found in his imagination. Tinted windows, loud music, and coming face to face with black teenagers fit his imaginary scenario. He reacted to his fear, just as other gun owners have done in the past and will continue to do so in the future.

Some years ago in Maryland, a young teenager, new to the neighborhood, was invited to a Halloween party. Wearing a costume, he knocked on the door where he thought the party was being held; he had the wrong address. A man opened the door, felt threatened, and killed him with a gun. There are millions of other gun owners out there, living in fear and ready to kill, even at someone tossing popcorn at them.

Bottom line: Those of us who are not afraid can now be shot by those who are.

Thomas Evans

 

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