Officer Michael Crawshaw, 32-years-old, ruthlessly killed last night in Penn Hills as he sat in his cruiser waiting for backup. Fired upon with a combat-ready fast-fire blam-blam-blam-blam faster than you can snap your fingers infantry-purposed assault rifle. A weapon made for war.
There was so much confusion last night, and here this morning there’s so much we still don’t know.
But he died, and his murderer remains free and that just won’t do.
Mike Crawshaw was single and had no kids so he often sought out extra shifts to give officers with families more time off, Betty Crawshaw said.
RIP.
And please, Penn Hills PD, put on your proverbial badass Sunglasses of Justice and find his killer.
Update:
Police have made an arrest in the case of a Penn Hills police officer shot to death while responding to a call at a house where another person was also killed on Sunday night.Ronald Robinson, 31, has been arrested on homicide charges in connection with the case.
Category: Random |
December 7, 2009
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hoosierburgher Says:
Officer Crawshaw was my sorority sister’s cousin. She lives in Virgnia now, and has to deal with this senseless, disgusting act away from home. He was a great man, from a great family, with an amazing heart. I just don’t understand the way things go these days…
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cheld Says:
i don’t understand why people don’t want some forms of gun control……why do you need an assault rifle……to kill people
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Pittsburgh Perambulations Says:
I’m having to grasp a little bit tighter to my faith in humanity because stories like this threaten to pry it away….
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Still A Fan Says:
If guilty may he RIH…rot in Hell
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lb Says:
First it was three City of Pittsburgh police officers. Then four in Seattle. Now this. Executions. The police are becoming sitting ducks in this war zone of crime. Assualt rifles should be banned. Period. This is sad, senseless and completely heartbreaking.
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Prior Officer Says:
Cheld,
I was a former law enforcement officer for 8 years before deciding on getting out of that line of work.
Gun control laws are not the problem. There have been umpteen documented studies on this issue. When you place gun control laws in place, the only people affected by this issue are the law abiding citizens. Criminals will find assault rifles on the black market or make modifications to legally sold rifles in order to get what they want. There are strict gun control laws in several countries but does it stop senseless shootings there? No. Hardcore criminals will always find weapons they endear themselves to.
From all accounts on the individuals involved with this shooting, these guys were involved in organized drug sales. The individual reportedly killed inside the house was killed because he didn’t have money to pay his drug debt.
Also, another issue with more gun control laws, at least from officer perspectives, is that it’s a bit too late for them now. It’s been estimated that there are tens of millions of guns for sale on the black market in the US. Taking guns out of law abiding citizens hands only leaves weapons in the hands of military, law enforcement, and criminals. The average citizen who is at home and being robbed by a gun wielding criminal would not be afforded his constitutional right to bear arm and protect his/her family.
My condolences go out to Officer Crenshaw and his family. These are things we never like seeing or hearing. I had 3 officers shot/survived at my department in a 4 year span and it was heartbreaking each time to see the pain.
I’ll never forget a quote from one of the officers when I first joined the force. He worked the 11PM to 7AM shift, which is usually a bit rowdy from 11PM till 3AM and then tends to get quiet. I was 22 years old and he was around 30 years old or so and married. He said, “On this job, there could be nights where things aren’t going so well with the wife. Maybe there is an argument about something here or there. Always make sure no matter what, before you leave the house and go to work, that you tell her you love her and tell your kids the same if you have any. When you walk out your front door, it could be the last time. You don’t want your family to remember you on a bad note.” I never forgot that quote from him. Unfortunately, a few years later he was shot in the line of duty by a gangbanger and endured severe trauma but survived.
Sorry for the ramble guys…this just sort of hit home a bit.
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ScareHouse Scott Says:
We should also remember the LA Fitness club shooting in August that resulted in 3 deaths and 9 injuries. I know I risk being flamed by NRA supporters for saying this, but I’ll never understand why getting a gun in PA is easier than buying a six pack of beer.
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Greg Says:
There is a time and a place for intelligent debate on gun control.
This is not it.
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lmmlaw Says:
“Allegheny County detectives and Penn Hills police were able to locate Mr. Robinson early this morning. He was wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet, and officials said they found weapons near Mr. Robinson’s house.
Mr. Robinson has been arrested several times in the past, including on drug and firearms charges.
He pleaded guilty in 2005 to carrying a firearm without a license and was sentenced to 2-1/2 to 5 years in prison. He was paroled on Aug. 26, 2007, according to the state Department of Corrections.
Mr. Morton spent several years in prison on two separate burglary stints. He was incarcerated with the state from 1998 until 2002, and again from 2003 until January 2008 when he was paroled. However, he violated that parole in January of this year and was held an addtional two months.
Mr. Morton’s criminal record dates back to 1991 and includes charges for fleeing or eluding, resisting arrest, recklesslessly endangering another person, criminal mischief and theft.
Court records indicate that on Dec. 16, 2001, city police were called to a street corner in Homewood where they found Mr. Robinson and another man, Marcus Jernigan. Mr. Jernigan, a cousin of Mr. Robinson, had been shot in the ankle.
The sidewalk was littered with .380 caliber handgun shells.
According to the police reports from the time, Mr. Robinson was suspected of throwing an object into nearby bushes. They retrieved a .380 caliber handgun with an empty clip.
Mr. Robinson’s case took several years to find its way through the county courts, where he was convicted in 2005 of illegal possession of a handgun.
He was sentenced to 30 to 60 months in prison — a sentence his lawyer, Michael Foglia, said was on the high end of the guidelines.
Mr. Foglia today said that Mr. Robinson had never been charged with shooting Mr. Jernigan and had, rather, come to his aid after he was shot by someone else.
The case took four years to reach court because Mr. Jernigan, who was to be a witness for Mr. Robinson, was in prison in Mississippi.
While out on bail on the gun charge, Mr. Robinson was picked up with five other people in a van in Braddock where police found a handgun and two grams of crack cocaine.”
Nice. Our tax dollars hard at work. Hopefully the state gives up on trying to “rehabilitate” him this time.
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Prior Officer Says:
Also, I wanted to add, if anyone here thinks it is easy for citizens to purchase an “assault rifle” that is fully automatic, it’s not.
Fully automatic assault rifles are Class III under the ATF. Those sales and transfers are heavily scrutinized. In Pennsylvania, in order to purchase one of those weapons, you have to personally go to your local chief of police and address why you are buying said weapon. Many chief’s of police will not grant you the ability to purchase these weapons, period. They don’t want the liability in their jurisdiction.
While it’s too early to say with the weapon used in this situation, it likely could’ve been a semi-automatic assault weapon “knock off,” which other than how it “looks,” there is very little difference between it and other rifles on the market. Essentially, you would need to ban all rifles/handguns and make sure there are no weapons for sale in the black market. Odds of this happening are 0%.
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La Reina Says:
Looks like we need parole reform, not more gun laws.
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Jaime Says:
Just senseless. Hopefully the citizens of Pittsburgh rally around Mr. Crenshaw’s family as we did last April.
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Prior Officer Says:
La Reina,
Good point.
Maybe the US needs something like “Escape from New York.”
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chrys Says:
God Bless Officer Crawshaw, his family, friends and the Penn Hills PD. My thoughts and prayers are with all of them at this time.
~peace~
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ScareHouse Scott Says:
Honestly not trying to start a debate, sorry. It’s just so startling how quickly one can lose a loved one with so little warning or reason. My heart goes out to everyone who was connected to any of these tragedies.
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Sooska Says:
If not here, where? If not now, when?
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Cassie Says:
To Prior Officer, thank you so much for your previous service.
This whole situation stinks. There’s really no other way to describe it. Gun control or no gun control, a completely innocent man who was doing the right thing died. It’s sad, senseless and just plain not fair.
I hope the family of Officer Crawshaw’s can find peace in knowing he was an honorable man who did honorable work.
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Dorkimus Maximum Says:
Agree with Sooska. And if we don’t want to have the gun-control debate, what about the drug-legalization debate? Legalize it, tax the everlovin’ crap out of it, and suddenly a whole lot of bad guys won’t need guns.
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Prior Officer Says:
Dorkimus,
I totally agree with you on legalizing drugs…to an extent.
I believe statistics show that over 70% of the prison population is filled with drug related sentences.
I could never understand why marijuana isn’t legal but alcohol is. We all see the issues with alcohol related accidents/deaths are caused every year but I’ve yet to see any marijuana related accident/deaths.
If anyone here has ever been to Amsterdam, you know that marijuana is legal there. You also know that personal possession of other drugs is not much of a legal issue there as well. Also, you know that that you don’t see an issue of “junkies” just laying around public either. Amsterdam is a prime example of how legalization can work.
The US should really start small and at least legalize marijuana. As long as the price of legal marijuana is the same or lower than street marijuana, you take money out of the criminal’s pocket. We know they are selling crack, meth, and other things as well that are much more harmful but at least those guys can be dealt with for prison much better than busting someone with marijuana.
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butcher's dog Says:
I’ve grown up with hunting all my life and own shotguns and hunting rifles. There is absolutely, positively no use for the semi-automatic things except to kill people. The NRA has its head up its collective ass on this issue because they’re so scared of “give ‘em an inch, they’ll take ‘em all” mentality that has no place in our culture.
Sooska has the “if not now, when?” part perfectly. I’m not sure this is the “where”, but it can start here and spread. And in addition to parole reform, maybe we need reform of lawyer education. This attitude of “I’m here to make sure the prosecution doesn’t screw up” is wretched, especially if that’s a court appointed lawyer. Because then our tax money is going to someone who doesn’t give a rat’s ass if the client is guilty, just as long as “the man” does things right. Even then, if the attorney can confuse the jury s/he’s a happy camper.
OK, the dozen defense lawyers out there who still have a soul can go ahead and flame me now. Give me 100 cases and I bet I’m right more than half the time. And I wish as much peace as possible to the officer’s family, but I know that won’t be as much as most of the rest of us have this holiday season.
There has to be a special circle in Hell for those committing these acts. Let’s all pray that it starts filling up quickly (with the already guilty, not with new cases).
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Lauren Says:
If this person broke the law by participating in the illegal drug scene, what makes anyone think that he would follow a gun control law? There are always ways to find guns, legally and illegally.
My thoughts and prayers are with Officer Crenshaw’s family and and friends. We are lucky to have such brave and honorable men and women on our police forces–we should all feel thankful for their sacrifice and service to us.
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angelgirl8906 Says:
I was getting my car worked on — the Service Manager told me that the officer killed last night was his really good friend. I felt sad last night — but it made me sick in the stomach meeting one of his friends. he said they went to school together from grade 7-12! My prayers to the family and friends!
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Matt Says:
We’re all privileged to have Officer Crawshaw and other men and women like him (and Prior Officer above) who place themselves in harm’s way for our protection. His death was senseless, but I thank God for his life. Thanks for the tribute, Ginny.
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Craig Says:
As always, Ginny, you call forth the best in us. This was a good man. We need to honor him for his life lived on the line for us and support his family and friends in what ever way possible.
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cheld Says:
Laureen and Butcher’s dog, i agree with you both…
Prior officer, i would expect no other answer from a former police officer. There are gun reforms that could make a dent in illegal sales.We needbetter reforms and tighter laws concerning career criminals . I think we need more 3 strikes and your out justice. People are afraid of stepping on others constitutional rights, let’s wake up , if shootings keep happening no one will have any rights to protect.His was a senseless death so let’s honor and remember officer crawshaws life….
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Cassie Says:
Dorkius, you are so right. It’s so true. Our tax dollars are going to holding criminals in jail for selling marijuana. If we legalize it, tax the crap out of it, then perhaps that could solve a few problems. Amsterdam truly shows what legalization can be like, but at the same time, do we really think that our country could ever be as liberal as Amsterdam? This country has so many right wing, bible thumping individuals out there that are so set in their ways that they would never support such an effort…
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Shannon Says:
My fiancee is a police officer…this just makes me sick. We will never be able understand senseless acts like this. And Lauren, you are exactly right with your point. God Bless Officer Crawshaw and his family.
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Bojack Says:
>>>Cheld-
Stick your gun “reforms” !!!!
Just enforce the laws we have- period!!!
I legally own an assault rifle, and YES!! It’s to KILL people!
Criminals who threaten my or my family’s safety!!!
Read the 2nd Amendment, and shut up!!
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Bojack Says:
BTW, the “under” on the Det-Cinn game?
42.5SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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cheld Says:
bojack, i agree we need to enforce laws we have now
so when someone breaks into your house and you accidently shoot a member of your own family with an assault rifle……….then you can read the 2nd amendment and tell me to shut up. why do gun owners always fall back on the “i need to protect my family” excuse. its a proven fact, more people are shot by their loved ones trying to protect them from a break in……… -
gunnlino Says:
PAY ATTENTION you dipshits, his name is CRAWSHAW, not Crenshaw, I’ll bet $100 six of you bright bulbs can’t name the three Pgh officers murdered in April
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gunnlino Says:
Sorry for the rant.
I spent 29 yrs and several months as a police officer in So Cal, was shot during 29th yr and had to retire. Most of you live in a secure blanket of warmth and security not realizing just how ugly it is out there in the dark and cold. Men and woman risk their lives daily so you can bad mouth the cops for splitting some assholes lip ’cause he did’nt want to go to jail. -
Heather Says:
My father is a retired Pittsburgh Police officer. Hearing news like this breaks my heart and really helps me to understand some things that my mother did when my sister, brother and I were young.
My mom once said, “Your father has a job that may not allow him to come home safely to us.”
As a child, I didn’t get it. He had a job just like the other dads, or at least I thought. In light of what’s happened in the last year, I feel so blessed that he returned safely to us every night.
My heart and prayers go out to all the families who lost loved ones in the line of duty, and I will continue to pray for all of those who serve and protect across this country.
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Cassie Says:
Do people forget that the 2nd amendment was created during the Revolutionary War?
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t3chb0y Says:
You know… You keep killing me with all these HS flashbacks!
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Steelheader Says:
Gun control would have no effect on this tragedy. I own a semi-automatic “assault rifle” that was manufactured in 1910. It’s contemporaries were used to kill Bonnie & Clyde. This one has only killed whitetail deer, in Texas.
Cheld- Show us your “fact” about family shootings.
Cassie- I bet you got a “C” in US History.
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Cassie Says:
How would I have gotten a C? It’s a fact.
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Are you a militia?
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cheld Says:
You kill deer with an assault rifle…..wow
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Steelheader Says:
Cassie:
The American Revolution ended in 1783. The Bill of Rights was adopted on December 15, 1791. So the Second Amendment was not created during the Revolutionary War. I learned that in Militia training camp.
Read the recent USSC decision of DC vs. Heller if you want the most current definition of militia.
Cheld:
The reason I put “assault weapon” in quotes is that it’s a bogus term. If you’re going to define any semi-automatic rifle as an assault weapon, then you have to include a large portion of the sporting arms used in the US.
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Bojack Says:
>>>Cheld-
Deer, criminals, what does it matter??
A good rifle is a good rifle!!
Please take that next $5 you were going spend on anything-
and go BUY A F**KING CLUE!!!!!
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Cassie Says:
OK, first of all, I meant post Revolutionary War times. That was my bad.
I am not in any way, shape or form against guns. I was in the Army, I know their purpose. However, I am anti guns killing innocent people, anti criminals and anti senseless acts of violence.
I would think, though, if you have a gun in your house for the sole purpose of protecting your family, wouldn’t a hand gun be more appropriate? I mean, the size of a rifle is kind of cumbersome, don’t you think? I know it gets the job done and such, but so does a nice Glock or Pistol. But that’s just my take.
Also, with having to keep your gun in a lock box, by the time you got it out (given you don’t keep it right where you are when the criminal enters your house) a baseball bat could do the same trick, right? I guess that’s just me being ignorant since I use ADT.
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Bojack Says:
>>>Cassie-
Are you by any chance blonde??
A Glock IS a pistol!!My house in the country sits on 8 acres with a tree line 50- 200 yds out!!.
Have pistols and shotguns also!!
You need the right tool for the particular job!!!
ADT??? You mean those TV idiots “I’m sending help right away!” ??? Good luck!!!
I depend on Messrs. Remington, Colt, Smith & Wesson thank you!!
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cheld Says:
i agree with you cassie………
and you prove my whole point bojack, people like you with guns is a scary concept. -
Cassie Says:
Well you continue to be paranoid and I’ll continue to be blonde. And just because I confuse guns doesn’t make me stupid. They are not by any means my expertise. Nor do I ever plan to make them so.
I’m just a nurse. I take care of people for a living. So I apologize if I’m not really up to snuff with such things. And seriously, get off my shit already about this. I never once said anything about taking your guns away, I said that this is a crappy situation. I don’t think you’re going to drive up to some random person and open fire. I understand what you’re standing for. And that’s your right, your opinion. Just like I have my own.
And yes, I have ADT. It works for me, just like your guns work for you. So drop it already. -
Bojack Says:
>>>Cheld-
A scary concept?? To who?? You??
You’re ignorance is what’s absolutely horrifying!!!
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cheld Says:
my ignorance to what????? all i know is that people with guns end up killing other people with guns>>>
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Bojack Says:
>>>Cheld
Your ignorance to the fact that our 2nd Amendment RIGHTS were
(and your current freedoms) were bought with and maintained by the precious blood of our forefathers!It is my /OUR right to DEFEND ourselves from some piece of shit low-life thug like Robinson and it is my solid intention to kill any criminallike him who threatens me or any family member before he harms us!!
You can take your inaccurate, anti-gun, BS stats, your childish
delusional ideas of guns, and savor them with the rest of the Hansel & Gretel and all the other fairy tale books!!“all i know is…” is very little indeed!! Good luck to you, you need it!!
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M-Lee Says:
Bojack:
You are the one who needs to get a clue because clearly you’re a paranoid egomaniac with delusions that someone is out to get you and your family. Have you seen a psychiatrist lately? They make medication for what you suffer from. You stated that you live “in the country [in a house that] sits on 8 acres with a tree line 50- 200 yds out” so what the hell are you afraid of? Thugs coming to the country and slaughtering your family? Wow. I really feel sorry for you that you live in constant fear for your life.
And to the rest of you, this is intelligent debate on guns, the neverending problem in our society, but the fact remains we need major overhaul of our justice and parole system to prevent cretins like the man who mowed down this officer from doing so in the first place. Or better yet, a stronger social fabric that helps kids not turn into criminals when they grow up. How about a debate on funding education more fully? Here in Los Angeles, the district in all its wisdom, has decided to lay-off more teachers and cut pay. Talk about a back-asswards society.
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cheld Says:
very well said M-Lee….
i’m very well aware of our 2nd amendment rights, our forefathers had to defend them selves from a different kind of threat
i’m not against guns for hunting, as long as your eating what you kill
….what happens if you mistake someone for a thug defending your house or your children get a hold of your locked up guns….and dont say they cant because you hear it every day in the newsthey have names for people like you mostly paranoid… id rather live in my fairy tale world than think like you…killing isnt the solution
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Bojack Says:
>>> M-Lee wrote-
“..so what the hell are you afraid of?”Nothing you twit!!!
Because I’m armed!! HAHACriminals live in the country too!
>>> Cheld-
The framers of the 2nd Amendment PURPOSELY did not try to define any particular threats!!
What they purposely DID define was our right to own and carry arms!! Period!! Get it??
Guns are NOT only for hunting!!!!
Where in the world did you loonies ever get the idea that hunting is the only “OK” reason to own firearms???? I don’t hunt. I have firearms to defend myself should I ever need to.
And I will.Mistake someone for a thug that isn’t?? Get real!!
I suppose if some moron attempted to enter my home wearing a full hoodie through a side window in the night it MIGHT be a confused neighbor……… oh well!! Have to explain the dead confused neighbor to the moron’s
wife AND the magistrate!! LOL That’s why we have LAWS!!!My children (unlike you goofballs) were raised with the utmost respect for firearms, and absolute firearms safety!
What I DO hear every day in the news is a lunatic going on a rampage in a “gun free” zone, like Ft. Hood or Virginia Tech and since responsible, legally permitted CITIZENS are disarmed 30-40 people die needlessly because if one legal gun owner had been there they would drop the psycho!!
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cheld Says:
yea, you just keep believing all that BS you’re spouting…….i’m sure the NRA appreciates it
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Cassie Says:
Seriously, now. We’re trying to reason with someone who is completely unreasonable. Be glad we don’t personally know this moron.
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cheld Says:
i hear ya……
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Bojack Says:
Oh, you know me!!
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cheld Says:
don’t think so, wouldn’t want to either
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Bojack Says:
Keep drinking the Kool Aid!!!
So the next time you get raped, robbed, or shot in a LA Fitness Center, or a home invasion, or a car-jacking, or a disgruntled employee goes nuts,….
if you live, you can sit around with a latte moaning about those “mean” guns……
“Mean people suck.”
You make me puke!!
Thank God there are not enough of you to fuck things up worse!!! -
cheld Says:
just think, if less people had access to guns there would be no LA fitness center shootings, car jackings, rapes, disgruntled employees shooting co workers, kids hunting getting shot,domestic violence shootings,armed robbery,or the next time someone makes you mad and you pull out your gun to settle the score…..guns aren’t the problem, people with your mentality are and you’re the ones that have fucked things up….
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Bojack Says:
sigh, …..
OK, talking to a 5 yr. old Cheld-
Just think, CRIMINALS WILL ALWAYS HAVE ACCESS TO GUNS!!!!
AND,
GUN LAWS ARE ONLY OBEYED BY NON-CRIMINALS!!!
WHAT PART OF THAT IS BEYOND YOUR APPARENTLY
SEVERELY LIMITED MENTALITY???
GEE, IF PEOPLE NEVER HAD SWORDS, OR ARROWS, OR BOMBS,
OR HAND GRENADES, OR MISSILES, OR ……ANY WEAPONS AT ALL…..NO ONE COULD EVER GET HURT!!!! COOL!!!! WOW!!!Now stop sniffing glue, or tripping, or whatever the fuck delusional drug you are on and wake the fuck up!!!
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cheld Says:
oh my such anger, does it make you wanna pull out your gun…….you’re a waste of my time…
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Bojack Says:
No, it makes me want to pull out an IQ test!!
Somebody as narrow-minded, and obviously uneducated, with zero common sense, should have to pass some form of human
competency test before you are allowed out in public, or operate heavy machinery, such as a car!Read it and weep loser!!!
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/12/states-ease-restrictions-gun-laws/?test=latestnews -
cheld Says:
foxnews, hahahahahahaha now i know im smarter than you, im done reducing myself to your level…
hahahahahahahahaha besides i cant stop laughing at you…….hahahahhahahahahhahahaha -
Bojack Says:
???? My DOG has more innate intelligence than you do, beatch!
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cheld Says:
so talk to your dog…… im done with you
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Bojack Says:
Fine!!!
Is that a promise?? Or, like most of your ilk, you lie frequently!
Do the country a favor, don’t spawn!!!
