American charged in criminal court for firing an RPG

[2timer]

http://m.washingtonpost.com/local/u...354c02-97d7-11e2-b5b4-b63027b499de_story.html

Eric Harroun, 30, of Phoenix, was charged in U.S. District Court in Alexandria with conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction —specifically, a rocket propelled grenade launcher —outside the U.S.

First of all, I didn't realize that "conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction outside of the United States" was even a crime, but...

Second, an RPG is a "weapon of mass destruction"? Please. This is just patently bogus.

 

[Jaskalas]

Is it illegal for an American to join the Syrian rebels? :hmm:

Apparently...

 

[2timer]

Is it illegal for an American to join the Syrian rebels? :hmm:

Apparently...

That's just the thing. It *isn't* illegal for an American to join a foreign fighting force, provided they aren't at war with the US government. Right?

 

[Brainonska511]

http://m.washingtonpost.com/local/u...354c02-97d7-11e2-b5b4-b63027b499de_story.html



First of all, I didn't realize that "conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction outside of the United States" was even a crime, but...

Second, an RPG is a "weapon of mass destruction"? Please. This is just patently bogus.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapon_of_mass_destruction#Criminal_.28Civilian.29

For the purposes of US Criminal law concerning terrorism,[28] weapons of mass destruction are defined as:

• any destructive device defined as any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine, or device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses[29]
• any weapon that is designed or intended to cause death or serious bodily injury through the release, dissemination, or impact of toxic or poisonous chemicals, or their precursors
• any weapon involving a biological agent, toxin, or vector
• any weapon that is designed to release radiation or radioactivity at a level dangerous to human life

 

[Fenixgoon]

gotta love legalese definitions.

just like my pistol with its standard 15-round magazine can be considered an "assault weapon" depending on where you live.

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

 

[Nebor]

Hahaha, so any kind of explosive is a "weapon of mass destruction."

 

[2timer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapon_of_mass_destruction#Criminal_.28Civilian.29


[/LIST]

Thanks for citing a source.

If that's the accurate description, if a weapon of mass destruction is defined as "any explosive...", then in that case, the war in Iraq was fully justified because Saddam had grenades!!!

Call the New York Times, Saddam DID have weapons of mass destruction! HOLY S***, STOP THE PRESSES!

*Edit* Wait, that's just for grenades with chemical charges

*Edited edit* Wait wtf does that definition even mean? The "legalese" is astounding.

 

[Brovane]

http://m.washingtonpost.com/local/u...354c02-97d7-11e2-b5b4-b63027b499de_story.html



First of all, I didn't realize that "conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction outside of the United States" was even a crime, but...

Second, an RPG is a "weapon of mass destruction"? Please. This is just patently bogus.

This guy shouldn't have talked to the FBI. Even if he was detained he should have asked for a lawyer and refused to say anything more until a lawyer was present. Looks like he talked enough for the Fed's to send him away for a long time. Remember never ever talk to Law Enforcement. Everything you say can and will be used against you. Get a lawyer and let them do the talking.

 

[Jhhnn]

That's just the thing. It *isn't* illegal for an American to join a foreign fighting force, provided they aren't at war with the US government. Right?

He probably shouldn't have said anything bad about Israel, anyway. That really sets 'em off. Touchy subject.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Thanks for citing a source.

If that's the accurate description, if a weapon of mass destruction is defined as "any explosive...", then in that case, the war in Iraq was fully justified because Saddam had grenades!!!

Call the New York Times, Saddam DID have weapons of mass destruction! HOLY S***, STOP THE PRESSES!

*Edit* Wait, that's just for grenades with chemical charges

*Edited edit* Wait wtf does that definition even mean? The "legalese" is astounding.

They actually already did that since they found a couple of missiles filled with water that could in theory carry actual WMDs some people point to that say zomg WMDs found (as defined by law).

 

[monovillage]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapon_of_mass_destruction#Criminal_.28Civilian.29


[/LIST]

So according to US criminal law then there were weapons of mass destruction in Saddam Hussein's Iraq. Who would have known? Thanks 2timer for pointing this out and I'll be sure to cite it every time some pissy little lefty cries about it.

 

[irishScott]

gotta love legalese definitions.

just like my pistol with its standard 15-round magazine can be considered an "assault weapon" depending on where you live.

riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight

The funny thing is that even under New York's retarded laws, in 50 years every AR-15 will be considered an "antique" and will be pefectly legal for ownership.

 

[2timer]

Hmmm. I wonder, should I start a new thread? " 'Weapons of mass destruction' as defined by U.S. code: is it the broadest, and therefore worst, definition ever?"

 

[Doppel]

LOL RPG = WMD?

Also, Western governments have already directly supported anti-Assad forces. So it's not acceptable for this guy to now?

any destructive device defined as any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, mine, or device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses[29]

Lawls

 

[kage69]

Saw a video with him in it sometime ago. I think the Feds are more bothered by the notion of ex-American military assisting anyone associated with AQ. The guy spends most of his time on screen repeating "Allahu Akbar!" with a group of nervous looking rebels. They all look more excited about the PR aspect of the filming than anything else. Really puts him in a John Walker Lindh light, and the Feds really don't want the American jihadi image becoming popular.

He isn't the first, and he won't be the last. He's just in the crosshairs because he put it all on Youtube. The powers that be don't want that kind of PR for their enemies, or for groups who could become enemies. If they have to resort to lame, insipid legalese to bring him under heel, so be it.

You'll notice that American student Chris Jeon, who went and fought in Libya, isn't going through this (to my knowledge). By all reports he too saw action and spilled blood, but he did with sans praise to Allah.

 

[Nebor]

Saw a video with him in it sometime ago. I think the Feds are more bothered by the notion of ex-American military assisting anyone associated with AQ. The guy spends most of his time on screen repeating "Allahu Akbar!" with a group of nervous looking rebels. They all look more excited about the PR aspect of the filming than anything else. Really puts him in a John Walker Lindh light, and the Feds really don't want the American jihadi image becoming popular.

He isn't the first, and he won't be the last. He's just in the crosshairs because he put it all on Youtube. The powers that be don't want that kind of PR for their enemies, or for groups who could become enemies. If they have to resort to lame, insipid legalese to bring him under heel, so be it.

You'll notice that American student Chris Jeon, who went and fought in Libya, isn't going through this (to my knowledge). By all reports he too saw action and spilled blood, but he did with sans praise to Allah.

At least the feds are getting something right.

 

[Lithium381]

slowly and quietly using "law" to make everyone a criminal

 

[Genx87]

So what happens when the president supplies these same people with WMD? Does he get brought up on charges?

 

[Juror No. 8]

slowly and quietly using "law" to make everyone a criminal

Bingo. It's easy, too. Just create a veritable mountain of overlapping laws. We're talking tens of thousands of laws covering everything and anything. Make so many laws, regulations, and statutes, and make the wording contained within them so confusing and difficult to decipher, that only wealthy corporations and government will be able to afford the armies of lawyers and accounts necessary to avoid running afoul of the law. In other words, you basically create a sort of legal matrix capable of potentially criminalizing every last person, especially those in the underclass who might make trouble for the ruling class while they consolidate wealth and power.

Presto, just like that you've created a legal minefield which you can use to stifle dissent and oppress the masses with. And all the while, the peasant underclasses will mindlessly applaud and say, "it's to protect us from drugs and terrorists!".

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

At least the feds are getting something right.

Something right by doing something wrong. If someone participated in aiding a terrorist organization that's one thing, but it appears that if I chuck an old grenade into the Pacific when not on US soil I've committed a punishable act of terrorism. If I'm wrong someone please tell me.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Thanks for citing a source.

If that's the accurate description, if a weapon of mass destruction is defined as "any explosive...", then in that case, the war in Iraq was fully justified because Saddam had grenades!!!

Call the New York Times, Saddam DID have weapons of mass destruction! HOLY S***, STOP THE PRESSES!

*Edit* Wait, that's just for grenades with chemical charges

*Edited edit* Wait wtf does that definition even mean? The "legalese" is astounding.

Most explosives are of chemical composition.

No need for opps. :thumbsup:

 

[JTsyo]

Hahaha, so any kind of explosive is a "weapon of mass destruction."

hah so Saddam did have WMDs!!

 

[Texashiker]

Since when do US laws apply to other nations?

 

[Rifter]

I don't see how this is even possible, he was not on US soil so US laws do not apply, correct me if im wrong here.

Although I must admit the US is more than arrogant enough to think its laws apply world wide.

 

[ch33zw1z]

So what happens when the president supplies these same people with WMD? Does he get brought up on charges?

He's applauded and given another award for nation building or some other bullshit.

This guy in the article is guilty of being an idiot.