[Tublecane]

“Git offa my property! (BOOM!)”

[NormsRevenge]

.. Patrick Wise, 16, yelled, “This is for Obama” as he knocked over the McCain sign.

[wastedyears]

Arresting a man for protecting his property. How absolutely Communist of them.

[Tennessee Nana]

BTTT

[Mediocrates]

He should have shot blanks. Very noisy ones.

[GoLightly]

If his actions had been to protect his car or house instead of his sign (first amendment, speech), I wonder if he’d be charged with the toughest charge possible. I also wonder if he faces a jury of his peers, gun owners will all be scrubbed from the jury.

No, I’m not saying that shooting at children for walking on your lawn is ever proper action. However, downplaying the actions of these young people to be no more than a tiny prank misses the bigger picture.

[Cicero]

A bit over the top on both sides.

I wouldn’t try to shoot a couple of kids if they were vandalizing a sign. It’s trespassing, but it’s not a deadly home invasion, since they evidently were leaving on their own.

On the other hand, this is a case of trespass, harrassment, and vandalism. The kids should not be let off without some kind of talking to, at the very least. It looks like yet another case of biased law enforcement.

[Free_SJersey]

Mr. Rowles perhaps went too far, but I see these increasing attacks on campaign signs as both an attack on an individual freedom of speech and as a criminal act of voter intimidation. I almost believe that violating the Constitution is treasonous and that during the act of breaking the law, the violator deserves fewer protections under the law than the victim I also believe this form of voter intimidation is serious and that law enforcement should start to treat it as such.

[null and void]

Poor guy needs more range time.

[null and void]

...by that I meant he should have been able to disable the car without hurting the yutes, of course...

[PowderMonkey]

Hmmm. Maybe I'd better re-think that field expedient for sign-grabbers.

[Realism]

"shot three times attempting to scare the subjects."

If you shoot at someone without the intent to seriously cause harm or kill, you probably shouldn't have access to fire arms.

[smokingfrog]

If people are willing to trespass on your property and restrict your 1st amendment rights “for Obama” what else might they do? Did the homeowner over-react? Maybe. But does this give the police the right to seize all of his guns? I don't think so. Hope this guy gets a good lawyer.

[Liberty Valance]

The perps weren’t on his property when he shot at them. Furthermore, it’s just plain stupid to shoot someone over an outdoor political sign. A video cam of these perps would have resulted in charges against the perps instead of charges against the homeowner and he wouldn’t be facing 8 years in the graybar hotel. After the criminal conviction the perps can sue him in civil court and be the new homeowners.

[exile]

This guy should be given a parade.

[antiRepublicrat]

Sorry, you just don’t shoot people who are running away, especially when they’re not taking anything with them. A video camera would have been a much more effective weapon.

[Wolfie]

Ah yes, “Culture of Life” and all.

[Snurple]

I have Mc/Palin signs in my yard, vandals should feel free to c’mon in and get them if they want. I have 2 very large dogs who would appreciate the exercise.

[wac3rd]

“Kyree Flowers”....sounds Amish.

[untrained skeptic]

The article didn't mention if the kids are facing vandalism or even voter intimidation charges as well.

The property owner's actions are in no way reasonable, and he's going to have to pay the price for his actions, but those kids should pay the price for their actions as well.