• OhStopYellingAtMe@lemmy.world
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    3 months ago

    Let’s say a person doesn’t like certain other types of people (be it due to race, religion, political views, or whatever), and that person also glorifies violence against those types of people and they glorify gun violence in general.

    Let’s also say this person knowingly and willingly (and possibly illegally) puts themselves in harm’s way, while carrying a gun, amongst those same certain types of people.

    Then they get into a situation where they have to use “self defense” in order to escape harm from those people. Luckily they had that gun with them!

    Was it legally “self defense?” Yes, apparently. Could it be argued that it was also “hunting” disliked group of people, as if for sport? Yes.

    Did Rittenhouse successfully use a self defense plea to get away with murder? Some would argue that he did.

    • TheFonz@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      I agree with your take for the most part actually. This is the kindest response I’ve gotten on Lemmy in the past year since this topic gets brought up.

      Could it be argued that it was also “hunting” disliked group of people, as if for sport? Yes

      He was 17. This fact could easily be argued the other way. In the days preceding the Kenosha riots there were riots in Minneapolis were stores were looted and some buildings burned. About a 1bn in damage happened. Kenosha is a small town where Kyle worked. Could it be he was also concerned about the place his father lived and where he worked?

      Also, just because he received a non-guilty verdict I will be the first to say that doesn’t absolve him of culpability in developing a situation that led to harm. As a European that lived in America briefly (ten years) I was very shocked when I encountered the gun culture there. I understand it but I never got comfortable with it.

      Thank you again for not resorting to labeling me or putting me down. Gives me a little hope for Lemmy.

      • OhStopYellingAtMe@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Could it be he was also concerned about the place his father lived and where he worked?

        Vigilantism is also illegal. It could be argued that had Kyle stayed home those people would still be alive

        • SupraMario@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          It could also be argued if the child molester hadn’t chased and tried to attack Rittenhouse that he’d be alive…same with felon skateboard man…and domestic abuser with the handgun.

    • yeather@lemmy.ca
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      3 months ago

      In that instance the “protesters” create their own bad luck by putting themselves in a situation where self defense rules apply. Play stupid games win stupid prizes.

      • CileTheSane@lemmy.ca
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        3 months ago

        Would you be saying that about Rittenhouse if he died due to putting himself in that situation?

        • yeather@lemmy.ca
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          3 months ago

          Yes, you’re at a protest that had devolved into rioting and looting, whatever happens now is entitely on you.

          • CileTheSane@lemmy.ca
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            3 months ago

            To be clear: He didn’t happen to find himself at a protest. He actively went to a protest that he did not agree with in order to “protect property”. He purposely put himself in that situation.