Auburn, WA - Man who tried to steal running car shot by homeowner

[old greg]

No, it doesn't really matter. Just caught me off guard, since this is a gun forum. More curious than anything

PM me if your genuinely interested why some say "if you go far enough left you get your guns back"

 

[Barfly]

No offense, but no thank you. I'm not looking for a class in Communism nor Anarchy. I firmly support your right to believe in whatever you believe, I just have no interest and am openly and strongly appose any form of communism or socialism

 

[Member 53328]

So I guess he deserved to have his car stolen then. Awesome.

I guess no one here has ever left their car running to run back into the house cause they forgot something or to run into 7eleven to grab a pack of smokes, or.....

Leaving the car running isn't a crime and isn't cause to wish bad fortune upon someone.


You know, it wasn't THAT long ago, there was no issue because folks were afraid to or just knew better. People are "raised" to be pieces of bubblegum these days. They have no regard for others or their their property (or the hard work it took to earn/buy it).
People that think the American Dream is something that is owed to them by the rest of society and therefore have no intent on EARNING it themselves. All this feel-good bullbubblegum with regard to equity, fairness, people's entitlement delusions are absolutely astonishing and absolute garbage.

You're taking this too literal. It has nothing to do with him "deserving" to have his car stolen cause he left it unoccupied and running….. obviously.

It's the same principle for a guy open carrying in a sh!t holster and having his gun stolen. Or the girl who goes into a dangerous area/neighborhood dressed provocatively and gets assaulted….. did they deserve it? NO. Should the person who committed the crime have to pay? Absolutely.

Choices have consequences. Whether it's what you do with your personal belongings, how you dress, where you go, or how you run your mouth. You're free to do what you want. Just dont be surprised when life kicks your teeth in.

America isn't safe. Criminals aren't prosecuted and have been emboldened. Act accordingly. But that doesn't give you the right to just shoot people. Sorry.

 

[powermad]

There are places that will give you a ticket for an unattended running car, even in your own driveway.

It's bad enough that you think you are lucky every day you go to get in your car and it has an intact exhaust system.
I'll just sit in the car and let it warm up, way too many dirt bags running around to take a chance on that.

The kid that got his car swiped by me mentioned that it was his dads car a couple of times in between thwacks.
I bet Pop's had something to say to Junior about leaving the car running as you go in "real quick"
Especially since it had to be towed out after it hit the curb. Stupid dead end...

 

[Reperio]

PM me if your genuinely interested why some say "if you go far enough left you get your guns back"

I'm down for a good chuckle. Post it here.

"And just fyi, just because i don't believe in private property doesnt mean i want to steal yours."

Because you argue like a communist.

 

[bpyycpyy]

Leaving the car running isn't a crime

Not that it should make it OK for a scumbag criminal to steal it but unfortunately it is citationable action (crime, not so sure) according to WA state law:

RCW 46.61.600

Unattended motor vehicle.
(1) No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and effectively setting the brake thereon and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway.
(2) The most recent driver of a motor vehicle which the driver has left standing unattended, who learns that the vehicle has become set in motion and has struck another vehicle or property, or has caused injury to any person, shall comply with the requirements of:
(a) RCW 46.52.010 if his or her vehicle strikes an unattended vehicle or property adjacent to a public highway; or
(b) RCW 46.52.020 if his or her vehicle causes damage to an attended vehicle or other property or injury to any person.
(3) Any person failing to comply with subsection (2)(b) of this section shall be subject to the sanctions set forth in RCW 46.52.020.

And OR state law too:

Reminder: OR law prohibits leaving an idle car

When temperatures drop below freezing like they have been, many people are tempted to leave their car idling when they pop into a store. Well, it turns out that’s illegal in Oregon.

www.koin.com

And I have violated these laws in both Oregon & Washington as I've used my remote vehicle start to warm it up while staying in hotels.

 

[K-22]

You hope they cite him for letting his car run..?!

I can see someone wanting him to be cited for shooting the thief, even if I don't agree, but citing the car owner for leaving his car running... That is some bullsh!t right there.

I warm my car up in the AM before I drive it to work, should I be cited?

Welll………..it is, a violation of tge law to leave a running motor vehicle unattended..
As for your question regarding , you, being cited. I would not be adverse to that.
Fair law, and well reasoned.

 

[old greg]

More curious than anything

No offense, but no thank you. I'm not looking for a class in Communism nor Anarchy. I firmly support your right to believe in whatever you believe, I just have no interest and am openly and strongly appose any form of communism or socialism

Sorry, you said you were curious. I guess that may have been disingenuous. But dont be scared! Im not here to convert you or anyone.


And fyi, im also against communist and socialist states. We have a lot more in common than you may imagine.

 

[old greg]

Because you argue like a communist.

Thats a cute ad hominid ya got there

 

[bradsteen]

As was said above, actions have consequences.

• If someone leaves their car unattended while it's running, they run the risk of it being stolen.
• If someone tries to steal a car, they run the risk of being confronted by the owner, and that confrontation may or may not involve getting shot.
• If someone shoots a guy for stealing his car without an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury being present, they run the risk of being prosecuted for unlawful use of deadly force.

If you plan on having a gun for personal protection, you need to know what circumstances justify the use of deadly force and what does not. Deadly force is generally only justified to protect one's self or others from an imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury. The only way I can imagine theft of a vehicle counting as an imminent threat is if (a) the bad guy is actively trying to run you over, or (b) there are passengers in the vehicle (i.e. children). Scenario B would constitute kidnapping and therefore imply the bad guy has intent to cause death or serious bodily harm.

You also can't legally use deadly force on somebody because they might hypothetically commit a violent act at some point in the future. Doesn't matter if they're the biggest scumbag on earth - you have to be able to justify your actions based on what is happening at the time in order to have a legitimate legal claim of self defense.

 

[Stomper]

This isnt what the law states. People arent "scared to defend themselves", they just know to follow the law unless they want a life changing felony.

Personally, im not interested in catching a felony to stop someone else's misdemeanor. Then again, i dont even believe in private property so ive got a much different stance from the getgo. Zips up flame suit…

Cool, so give me your shoes beatch before I bubblegum you up, and while you're at it give me your jacket, wallet, and car keys too.

 

[ROTORYWING]

There's too many variables. That said, I'm not judge, jury and executioner.

eliminate the variables , SSS and use a revolver

 

[solv3nt]

eliminate the variables , SSS and use a revolver

And land in jail....

 

[Member 53328]

And land in jail....

They don't go to jail in the movies though…..

 

[Knobgoblin]

Don't live in auburn??

 

[bradsteen]

Don't live in auburn??

Also good advice, speaking from experience.

 

[slimmer13]

The guy probably caught the thief red handed and the thief likely became aggressive, as thieves do when interrupted mid crime. I doubt the homeowner just came out and started blasting.

Here's a similar case from Spokane a few years back. Car warming up in the driveway, dirtbag jumps in and takes off. Homeowner runs out and dirtbag makes a gun like gesture with his keys as he's driving away. Homeowner puts one in the back of his dome. Charged with manslaughter and acquitted. State picks up the tab for his legal defense.

Spokane man acquitted in shooting death of fleeing thief

A Spokane jury affirmed the rights of gun owners to protect themselves on Thursday, acquitting Gail Gerlach of killing a man who was speeding away in Gerlach’s stolen SUV. Tears fell on both sides of the courtroom as the not...

www.seattletimes.com

 

[The Heretic]

Every dollar that some entity (private or government) steals from me (and yes, a significant portion of gov taxes is theft), whether it is in the form of money or property, is one less dollar I can use to survive and support my family. This isn't about someone stealing a TV or "luxury" item. It is about taking food, fuel, transport, etc. - things I need to live and help my family live.

Insured? Yes, some of it is, but we all know that insurance orgs rarely give you full replacement value on insured property, so there is a loss, and again, that impacts my ability to survive and support my family. I am retired and now it is 3-4X harder (at least) for me to makeup losses due to theft or other events. There is also time and stress, and regardless of your health/age, such events do impact quality and length of life in a negative way.

So such theft isn't just about "material things" and no, I can't "afford it"; I don't have unlimited reserves of money, time or health.

Theft not only takes $ from me and my family, it shortens our life, impacts our health, and lessens our quality of life.

The point of my post is that theft is not a victimless crime.

Theft has a victim, and it has an impact on that victim.

Saying "insurance" will cover it is excusing the criminal, and blaming the victim.

Finally, not everybody can afford insurance against theft on every item they own, or even the difference between what insurance will pay vs. actual cost of replacement for the item(s) stolen.

 

[Ruger Rich]

My imagination, if I were to encounter a similar situation, tells me my thought process would likely be:

I dont want my car stolen.
I dont believe the LE folks will be able to react in time to prevent this.
If (two letters, big word) they find him it's possible that punishment will be less than I think he deserves.
And there's a great possibility my car will somehow be trashed, and this part actually happened.
Insurance wont pay what I feel is fair.
So I'd likely shoot.
Gotta live with myself.

 

[solv3nt]

They don't go to jail in the movies though…..

But do they pass go?