Warning: Do not shoot your lawn mower!

[slodave]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/07/25/mower.madness.ap/index.html

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin (AP) -- A 56-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of shooting his lawn mower because it wouldn't start.
Keith Walendowski told police he felt he had a right to shoot his mower.

Keith Walendowski has been charged with felony possession of a short-barreled shotgun or rifle and misdemeanor disorderly conduct while armed.

[Red Baron]

What a bone head. The whole Brett Favre thing must really have him on edge..

[David McLaughlin]

Wasn't this a subject of Peter Egan's Side Glances (Road & Track) a few years ago? I bought the book series and thought I remember a story like this.

[m21sniper]

I believe in a man's god given right to shoot his own damned lawnmower.

[Laneco]

Originally Posted by m21sniper

I believe in a man's god given right to shoot his own damned lawnmower.

Or anything with Lucas electricals....

angela (former british car owner)

[m21sniper]

Yes, absolutely.

[rusnak]

this is so not worth court time. The guy must have been a jerk to the cops or something.

[Pazuzu]

Originally Posted by rusnak

this is so not worth court time. The guy must have been a jerk to the cops or something.

Felony possession and discharge of a firearm in his yard is not worth court time? While intoxicated no less? What is worth court time then?

[targa911S]

Originally Posted by Laneco

Or anything with Lucas electricals....

angela (former british car owner)

I have been saddled with Lucas as my last name since I was born. When I walk into a room, the lights dim!

[slodave]

A 16# sledge is the weapon I prefer to use against mechanical misfits. You get the added benefit of a little upper arm exercise as well.

[RWebb]

Something's missing - he must have been inside a City (ricochet danger).

Out in the country it should have been no problem.

Of course, there is the little matter of the sawed off shotgun. I guess the moral of the story is to use Talons in a nice deer rifle...

[slodave]

Here's a link to the local news:
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/25902654.html

Looks like he had no prior record. Not a good move. It may be one thing to shoot your lawnmower, but think about what weapon you are going to use. 90 days isn't so bad, but the 6 years for possessing a sawed off wasn't very smart.

Looks like the simple gun charge is for disorderly conduct while armed.

If convicted, Walendowski faces up to 90 days of imprisonment for the disorderly conduct charge. He faces up to six years of imprisonment if convicted of being in possession of a sawed-off shotgun.

I think this may be signature material...

"Well it seems strange - but he's a strange guy with his drinking," said Donna Kadow who lives next-door.

[Pazuzu]

Looks like a decent little neighborhood, and most definitely within city limits. I'm suprised that there wasn't a basic "discharging a firearm within city limits" as well.

[scottmandue]

What is the best shotgun ammo to use on your lawnmower?

Should I use 2-3/4" shells or 3"?

Buck, 00, other?

Steel shot of copper?

18" HD barrel or 24"?

[slodave]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

What is the best shotgun ammo to use on your lawnmower?

Should I use 2-3/4" shells or 3"?

Buck, 00, other?

Steel shot of copper?

18" HD barrel or 24"?

Considering the guy that shot his rim a few weeks back and was hit with the ricochet, I'd probably consider using a slug, but I still like my 16# sledge.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Felony possession and discharge of a firearm in his yard is not worth court time? While intoxicated no less? What is worth court time then?

Well let's see. I've shot lots of things in my back yard. I've even been intoxicated before. Shooting WHILE intoxicated is really really stupid. But you want to spend court time on it? Not me.

Court time is good for armed robbery, assault, rape, selling drugs to kids, etc. How does that stuff compare to blowing away your own lawnmower? I mean at BEST, AT BEST this is criminal negligence.

[RWebb]

I may have a problem with disorderly conduct while own your own property. Of course, the results can easily carry far beyond the property line...

He hasn't been convicted yet. All DA's will charge the bejesus out of somebody, then negotiate down later with his attorney. The felony charge should also help him sober up quick!

Follow this and see what happens - my bet is the Judge will not give him more than 1 day in jail -- thing of it as an extended look-and-see visit.

OTOH, look at his photo again -- if he cusses out the Judge...

[RWebb]

I may have a problem with disorderly conduct while on your own property. Of course, the results can easily carry far beyond the property line...

He hasn't been convicted yet. All DA's will charge the bejesus out of somebody, then negotiate down later with his attorney. The felony charge should also help him sober up quick!

Follow this and see what happens - my bet is the Judge will not give him more than 1 day in jail -- thing of it as an extended look-and-see visit.

OTOH, look at his photo again -- if he cusses out the Judge...

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by slodave

Considering the guy that shot his rim a few weeks back and was hit with the ricochet, I'd probably consider using a slug, but I still like my 16# sledge.

Shot his rim? NOW THAT IS JUST WRONG!

[slodave]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Shot his rim? NOW THAT IS JUST WRONG!

Here ya go:

A 66-year-old man shot himself in both his legs Saturday afternoon while trying to loosen a stubborn lug nut with a 12-gauge shotgun.

http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2007/Nov/10/sk-man-hurts-himself-trying-to-loosen-lug-nut/

Deputies at the scene reported the man blasted "double-ought" buckshot at the wheel from "arm's length,"

"I don't think he was in any condition to say anything," Wilson said. "The pain was so severe, and the shock."

How about the stupidity?