Who was it that said nothing good happens after 2am? A lot of people, actually. And they’re not wrong. Which is why the first part of the description is relevant here. “Recently, there have been some thefts at my friend Ian’s house. So I have been taking it upon myself to sit on his porch at night in an effort to catch the crooks in the act. Last night I was there until around 3am, and on my way home, I heard women crying, and men yelling at them on Main Street in Keene New Hampshire.” What happens next: the subjects demand that cameraman Chris Cantwell discontinue his documentary efforts. When he refuses, they attack. He all but shoots them. But doesn’t. I’m thinking . . .
Mr. Cantwell shouldn’t have been playing camera-equipped armed guard for his pal. I mean, what was the plan if the “real” bad guys showed up?
Maybe Cantwell was behind cover or concealment ready to call the cops when this unexpected incident occurred. Maybe he wasn’t. But he sure was out in the open when the night owl got into their spat. At 3am. Hmmm.
A remotely-monitored camera would have been the better bet for thief apprehension. I’m also thinking that Chris should have remained hidden and called the cops when he suspected an assault was going down. And beat feet when it was clear his subjects were unsupportive of his safety-oriented video recording.
That said, Cantwell had a right to record in a public space and, well, that’s what he does. And I certainly support his right to keep and bear arms. And his defensive gun use once it was clear he was under attack.
But none of that contradicts the fact that Cantwell violated all three precepts of the sage advice “avoid stupid people in stupid places doing stupid things.” To which we can add “if you go looking for trouble, you may find it.” And gun or no gun, you may find yourself at the center of it. And that can really suck.
Oh, and I wouldn’t have explained this incident to the cops without a lawyer present. Just saying’ . . . [h/t Danny]