Was the police officer criminally charged for firing at the bear? Would a citizen be criminally charged for the same action in NJ?
I think I’m on your side, Coloradan, and on the bear’s. Out here in the bitter Northeast Pennsylvania woods, bears cling to garbage-eating, and we see garbage bears as cheap entertainment. Stupid city-boy, Jersey-ite cop, shooting at a hungry bear...
The police in "bear towns" in NJ are empowered and have been trained to deal with problem bears. IIRC, this policy change occurred about 3-4 years ago.
> Would a citizen be criminally charged for the same action in NJ?
Probably... but not because he fired at a bear (the sentiment on this has greatly shifted in the last few years, in favor of defending against a bear). What would probably happen is that the homeowner would be charged for violating NJ's draconian, unConstitutional firearms laws.
I dunno, but I do know it's a criminal act for border patrol to fire at drug running illegals. May be the only saving grace for the officer is the bear didn't growl, "no, hablo ingles".
Doing work that other American bears want do?
Why isn't the goobermint giving the bear money, a driver's license and the opportunity to vote?
After all his name is cool:
'la Ursus americanus raza Comeré su asno trasero mojado ilegal también'