In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, it’s a crime to make a “gun-like hand gesture” at someone.
Just ask Stephen Kirchner, who was ordered to pay a $100 fine and court costs after pointing at a neighbor as if his hand was a gun, WGAL-TV reported. The gesture led to the neighbor calling 911.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court ruling came after Kirchner was charged last year with summary disorderly conduct for the gesture, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office.
‘Gun-like’ hand gesture deemed crime by Pa. court
‘Gun-like hand gesture’ deemed crime by Pennsylvania court: https://bit.ly/2HtDT1m
Posted by WGAL News Channel 8 Susquehanna Valley, Pa. on Wednesday, August 28, 2019
“Kirchner argued on appeal that the gesture did not cause a hazardous or physically offensive condition, that he did not intend to cause public alarm, and that there essentially was no harm done to the victim or society,” a statement from the DA’s Office said, according to WGAL.
But the court ruled that the gesture “risked an altercation” with the neighbor, who said it made him feel insecure.
According to Kirchner, the man gave him “the finger with both hands,” which may be seen as a double-barreled bird.
Kirchner was asked by the WGAL reporter what he meant by pointing his finger at the man.
“Right back atcha,” he replied. “I even told the judge that. He gave me the finger and I said, ‘Yeah, right back atcha.”
As the NBC affiliate noted, there was a history between the two parties, as Kirchner’s girlfriend had a no contact order against the neighbor.
Kirchner told WPXI-TV that after 63 years, he has never even had a traffic ticket.
All of which makes one wonder exactly where was former President Barack Obama when he pointed his finger like a gun in a previous video promoting Obamacare.
“President Obama pretends to fire a gun to promote health care.
— Hash (@Hashzilla) August 29, 2019
While the story seems to be more about trying to quell an ongoing neighborhood feud, social media users saw it as part of a much bigger issue.
Here’s a sampling of responses from Twitter:
Freedom of expression use to be part of the First Amendment. Liberal judges have been eating away at The United States Constitution for a long time now.
“The Strongest Reason for the People to Keep and Bear Arms is, as a last resort, Protection from Tryanny in Government. “— Quinn (@Quinn69790837) August 29, 2019
Now really this is getting ridiculous. What’s next bitching about Frosty the Snowman not wearing pants?
— Daniel M Shepler (@shepler_d) August 29, 2019
The thought police are here in Pennsylvania. George Orwell was a prophet.
— Shawn Garman (@ReeseChef) August 29, 2019
— mikeymilkshakes (@mike_blose) August 29, 2019
Someone will get triggered by someone giving them the middle finger. That’ll be the next hand gesture made a crime. Unbelievable. Pa Supreme Court will eventually overturn that decision.
— Scott Dierwechter (@S_Dierwechter) August 29, 2019
We need stronger gun like hand gesture laws. ???
— The cold hard truth (@J_F_D_Three) August 29, 2019
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Tom@bizpacreview.com
The longest-tenured writer at BizPac Review, Tom grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills.
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