FRC shooting and hate crimes
by Diane Landry, examiner.comDecember 8th 2016
The possibility of the shooting at FRC on Wednesday being deemed a hate crime is still under investigation. The shooter carried 15 Chik-fil-A sandwiches in his bag, according to some reports. Chik-fil-A whose corporate headquarters in Atlanta, had recently been protested by gay activists for the traditional Biblical stance on traditional marriage.
Hate crimes offer stiffer penalties to the convicted. But isn't a logical assumption that a shooting is a hate crime? Obviously, one doesn't love the person he/she is shooting. Many crimes in general can be classified as such.
Hate crimes are defined as, "A crime motivated by prejudice against a social group." While I agree this was no doubt a politically motivated crime, I do not agree with giving special rights to social groups, right or left. The law grants more rights to some, while the constitution imparts the same rights to all. In other words, hate crime laws elevate some to special rights.
Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, says the suspect was "given a license" to shoot the unarmed security guard by organizations such as the Southern Poverty Law Center. That center describes the Family Research Council as a hate group and says it defames gays and lesbians.
Parents of the shooter, Floyd Lee Corkins II, claim that he opposes those he feels are unjust towards the gay and lesbian community. If charged with the hate crime and federal terrorism, he could be sentenced for us to thirty years.
The interaction between the shooter and security guard, Leo Johnson was recorded on video. Corkins was carrying a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol complete with 50 rounds of ammunition. Johnson wrestled and restrained him until authorities arrived, but only after being shot in the arm.
The shooting may have been politically motivated, thus making it a hate crime, because of the statement made before he shot in which Corkins stated that he didn't agree with the politics of the conservative organization. Johnson is being haled a hero for his bravery and the lives he saved, as a result of his actions on Wednesday.
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/hate%20crime
http://www.inquisitr.com/303951/was-the-frc-shooting-politically-motivated-i-dont-like-your-politics-gunman-said/
Original Page: http://www.examiner.com/article/frc-shooting-and-hate-crimes
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Victor Cuvo, Attorney at Law
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