Armed citizen helps police catch assault suspect
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COOS BAY, Ore. -- An armed citizen helped officers arrest a man who Coos Bay Police officials say punched a man in the face near a Shell gas station on Wednesday.
Police told KCBY News that bay-area resident Jeffory Snyder took matters into his own hands after he said he saw 53-year-old Donald Johnson assault someone at the gas station Wednesday afternoon.
After Snyder confronted the man about the alleged assault, police said that Johnson ran for the bridge.
“My understanding is that he assisted us in that he confronted the person, the suspect who he believed had just committed a serious crime and was trying to flee the area so he tried to detain him,” said Sergeant Michael Shaffer with Coos Bay police.
Officials said that Snyder pulled his gun on Johnson, got him on the ground, and waited for police.
“We appreciate Mr. Snyder's assistance in the matter, however we encourage citizens to be the best witness they can and try to help us out in that regard,” said Sgt. Shaffer.
Johnson was booked in the Coos County Jail on fourth degree assault and disorderly conduct. He was released on Friday morning.
I am sure the fascist police state will charge him with something...
You cannot legally pull your gun for this situation. But I guess we will let it go this time.
 @givupongodÂ
Yes, it is.
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161.219 Limitations on use of deadly physical force in defense of a person. Notwithstanding the provisions of ORS 161.209, a person is not justified in using deadly physical force upon another person unless the person reasonably believes that the other person is:
     (1) Committing or attempting to commit a felony involving the use or threatened imminent use of physical force against a person; or
     (2) Committing or attempting to commit a burglary in a dwelling; or
     (3) Using or about to use unlawful deadly physical force against a person. [1971 c.743 §23]
 @MP SGT Good to know. I thought you had to be defending a life.
 @givupongod  @MP SGT The law in Oregon tends to be pretty "gray". In my opinion, it's that way so that "justice" can be served discriminatorily. However, in order to "win" a case in court, one must be able to prove that there was Ability, Opportunity & Jeopardy involved. The "bad guy" had to have the Ability and Opportunity to take your life or the life of another....and had to be causing immediate Jeopardy. If that criteria is met, then the case is clear and there shouldn't be any question as to reasonableness. Unfortunately, our justice system doesn't always play fairly...so it's a VERY good idea to know an attorney who specializes in firearm laws. I highly recommend The Armed Citizen's Legal Defensive Network, Inc as well.  http://www.armedcitizensnetwork.org/
In Oregon, you are allowed to use force "other than deadly force" to stop a crime. If I pull my gun to stop someone from committing a crime...and then they walk away, I cannot (and would not) shoot them. I can only detain them physically if I'm able. However, if they come AT me, then it becomes a self defense situation. If attacked, I have every right to shoot to stop the threat. So...if you plan on taking MY gun away, you had best be ready to die. You can find the statutes regarding firearm use in chapter 166 of the Oregon Statutes. http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/166.html
 @SwiftlyJust What that guy did was stupid.  There are a host of scenario's where if what he did , didn't go right, he could have a legal problem.Â
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It wasn't life and death, disorderly conduct and 4th degree assault, hardly rises to the level of potentially using deadly force,especially by someone who the alleged 4th degree was perpetrated on.Â
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I personally am not looking to shoot anyone and I am not looking for a fight or any legal issue that comes as a result of involving myself in a matter that isn't life and death.Â
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Be a good witness, let the police do their job. Â Don't be a vigilante.Â
@Jason Marks @SwiftlyJust "...let police do their job..."Â Â hahahaha, thanks for the Saturday morning chuckle, sir!
I might also add that I am only allowed to pull my firearm on someone who is committing a crime if I am "assisting" the law. I can't just take someone out and shoot them. (Darnit.)
In this situation, What happens if the "bad guy" just flips the gun holder off and walks to his car and drives off? What contingency/recourse should the gun pointer follow? Should he hit him over the head with the gun handle? Is a warning shot allowed? Can he shoot at his car?
Maybe this bad guy just got jumped at a bar by 3 guys the night before and he decided to take out one of them one-on-one when the other 2 bullies weren't around (a fairer contest).
There have been times (very few) in my life, where I might just dare/even taunt the gun pointer (non-police officer) to shoot me, in such an hypothetical: "cause when you ain't got nuttin', you ain't got nuttin to lose".
Do we really want some revenged filled misereable SOB (as I admit to have been in the past) getting shot over a fist fight is my last question?
I have an idea that's new to some people apparently so bear with me. Â How about instead of taking the easy path of being a, "revenge filled misereable SOB," you take the path of being, "honor and compassion filled," thus avoiding possible armed confrontation from both citizens AND the police. Â Actually the idea is not new, it's called, "personal accountability."
Â
âCivilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing.â â Robert E. Howard
quite frankly I would have liked to see someone knock the low life out instead of playing gunfoo. Guns are a tool for sure. Would this have been an article if the guy right hooked and knocked Johnson out?Â
Let's see, a confrontational gun owner, instead of simply calling the police, chooses to insert himself in a fight, then pulls a gun on the guy (i.e., thought the offense was worthy of potentially lethal force). Â That's called Vigilantism, is not something to be applauded.
I have an idea for a shirt that would sell well for people who think like you. Â It would read, "If I am assaulted, leave my rescue to the professionals and call the police, please."
 @ST4 If you mean rescue by some yahoo with a gun... then, yes, that is my sentiment.
@ST4 Bald choadinston, isnt even American... she is just another foriegner attacking our rights from overseas.
So to clarify, you'd want the shirt to say, "If I am assaulted, do not rescue me with a gun (unless you are a cop), but please rescue me via other means such as, but not limited to, blunt/edged weapons, hand-to-hand, or social and spiritual means." Â For a dude, you're pretty high maintenance.
 @Baldr Odinson  @ST4 Ohhhh, Balder. Good to know. We'll be sure to leave you at the mercy of the thugs.
Oh, and I should point out that when the police arrived, they were initially confused. Â Likely they thought HE was the offender. Â He's lucky he wasn't shot. Â See here: Â http://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/index.ssf/2013/01/north_bend_resident_pulls_out.html
@Baldr Odinson I see a bunch of liberal idiots that need to see what if feels like to be helpless victims. Maybe they'd learn a gun in the hand is worth every cop in the county on the phone....
 @Baldr Odinson "Mild confusion" doesn't equate to being "lucky he wasn't shot."Â
 @Baldr Odinson It didn't say concealed.Â
 @peace I've been outside the US. Not sure what that has to do with anything though.
 @Baldr Odinson I will take my chances having my concealed weapon thank you.
@Baldr Odinson @peace @PleaseBeSmart @Baldr I am pretty sure we are all equally likely to die.
 @peace  @PleaseBeSmart  @Baldr Actually, according to the story I link to below, you are 4.5-times MORE likely to die if you have a concealed weapon than if you don't. Â
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090930121512.htm
old joke! A GIANT SKELETON walks into a bar in Coos county and says: "Gimmie a pitcher of beer and a MOP!"
PBS is not going anywhere outside her keyboard, because she is so comfortably NUMB with her GUN. God bless you Maddam. But Cuntries I go to don't allow them.
I really luv you PBS!.
But, sometimes I cuuunt hear your wisdom, because, I sometimes have an ear
infuction. BOOM BOOM...now i can hear again!
@PleaseBeSmart @Baldr Odinson ---i have always wondered about the PENTULTIMATE statistical PROVERB that ALWAYS RULES in all statistics the planet over:
"the best way to get shot is to have a gun".
If that hick had pulled a gun on me in COOS bay, the police would still be MOPPING up the blood!!! And, I'd B on my way to HAWAII mopping up the C-137.
 @Baldr Odinson Go screw yourself Balder. This good, law-abiding citizen was doing his duty. He was protecting his fellow man. You can't have it both ways. You hate people who use guns for evil, but you also hate people who use them for good. You're just an illogical, universal hater.Get a life.
@SwiftlyJust Hey SJ, leave it to a dunder-head liberal to try to turn something good into something nefarious. There's danger lurking behind every corner for these buffoons.Â