Pennsylvania Man’s ‘Finger Gun’ Ruled A Crime

So, this is an interesting story.

A Pennsylvania court ruled that making a “gunlike hand gesture” is a crime after a man pointed his dangerous digits at a neighbor during an argument.

The finger gun supposedly startled the neighbors enough for them to call the police.

FORTUNATELY – we have video footage : so here it is, or YOU to judge:

https://www.facebook.com/wgal8/videos/425715281377856/

Criminal behavior?

I suppose a little context helps…

According to Fox News:

Kirchner and the female neighbor Kirchner had been walking with previously had issues and confrontations, sparking the neighbor to install six security cameras on his property. At the time of the incident in 2018, the female neighbor had a “no contact” order against the neighbor who felt threatened, court documents indicate.

So the neighbors had some history, which I suppose adds some fuel to the fire here. Neighbor disputes can get HEATED.

This wasn’t a one-off finger gun, y’all.

Kirchner was issued a citation for disorderly conduct following the incident. He said in district court he made the “gunlike” gesture after his neighbor gave him “the finger with both hands.”

The 64-year-old was found guilty, but appealed, arguing the hand gesture didn’t “create a hazardous or physically offensive condition.” Kirchner said he didn’t mean to cause public alarm, and there wasn’t really any harm done to the neighbor or others.

On Tuesday, however, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania found the gesture “served no legitimate purpose, and recklessly risked provoking a dangerous altercation.”

Kirchner was ordered to pay a $100 fine and court costs.

My take? Don’t point “finger guns” at someone who already has a “no contact” order against you.

ON THE OTHER HAND, don’t flip someone off you claim makes you nervous. Why instigate?

All in all – neighbors suck.

Thoughts?