July 1, 2003
UNLIKELY
The early
href="http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/metro/dennehy/0630den
nehy.html">accounts of the circumstances regarding the death of
Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy seem to fit the template of
gun controller arguments that the private ownership of guns leads to
commonplace arguments escalating into lethal encounters. According to
an unnamed source that told the story to the police, Dennehy, a
teammate named Carlton Dotson, and possibly another person were out
shooting in rural Maryland, an argument arose, Dennehy pointed his gun
at Dotson, and Dotson shot Dennehy in the head. My first impression is
that this is a highly unlikely scenario.
Target shooting is one of the more laid back pursuits I've ever
engaged in. The atmosphere can range from helpful encouragement to
friendly competition. It's not unusual for one to strike up
conversations with total strangers. I'm trying to imagine a scenario
that would involve friends pointing guns at each other and it just
seems very improbable. Imagine a situation where you're playing golf
in a foursome with your friends. Now picture getting into an argument
with one of the other players and bludgeoning him to death with your
sand wedge. Does this seem likely? What kind of person would engage
in such behavior in the first place?
If one takes into account other details from the early
description of Dennehy's death, further doubt is cast on its veracity.
The immediate disposal of the guns by Dotson. The fact that Dennehy's
body has not been found. The discovery of Dennehy's SUV in a Virginia
parking lot without its plates. This sounds more like a plot sketch
for an episode of Law & Order rather than an argument between teammates
that got tragically out of hand.
Posted by Lexiphane at July 1, 2003 9:24 AM
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