US

Too Far? Man Films Himself Firing Shotgun at Anti-Marriage Amendment Sign

Remember Tommy Jordan? He’s the North Carolina father who filmed himself shooting his daughter’s laptop with his .45 after finding an unflattering Facebook post. It went viral. Now, another video has gone viral that includes a similar tactic: another man in North Carolina filmed himself using a shotgun to shoot an anti-marriage-amendment yard sign. And it’s starting to go viral.

The video starts with the man introducing himself and his videographer and giving a quick background on Amendment 1, the marriage amendment in North Carolina that would define marriage as between a man and a woman, and also ban same-sex unions. He then explains that someone put an anti-amendment sign “near my house” and that “they outta know not to put stuff like that near my house.” That’s when he reaches down, grabs a shotgun, and shoots two rounds into the sign.

“That’s how we deal with it around here,” he says.

Man Fires Shotgun at Amendment 1 Sign

Man Fires Shotgun at Amendment 1 Sign

Man Fires Shotgun at Amendment 1 Sign

The original video was taken down by the user, but others have copied it and posted:

The man identifies himself in the video as Alex Wiles, and the website Gawker posted a linkto his Facebook. That link, however, is now dead. The site makes its thoughts on the video well-known: “Hey, if you can’t shoot gay people directly, might as well shoot signs supporting LGBT rights.”

The website Joe. My. God., which first noticed the video, says it contacted the local police to see if anything could be done:

I have spoken to the Kannopolis, North Carolina police department and they are looking into what will be classified a crime if the shotgun was fired onto property that includes a home or business. Kannopolis is 20 minutes outside of Charlotte, so let’s also get this on the radar of local media.

But from the video, it seems unclear if the shotgun “was fired onto property that includes a home or business.” It’s also unclear if the property is his, although he seems to indicate it is. He also seems to indicate that someone entered onto his property and placed the sign, which raises the question: Do his rights allow him to fire a gun on his property, even if it’s at a sign — especially one placed there by someone not authorized to do so?

What do you think? Did he go too far, or is this just a man exercising his rights?

Comments (90)

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  • ThankBabyJesus
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:23am

    Oh the poor sign, the poor trees!!! Oh the poor grass!! stuff it. Man + Woman = marriage ^__^

    Report Post » ThankBabyJesus  
    • JRook
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:52am

      Always nice to hear from the typical North Carolina Republican. No doubt a good role model and mentor for North Carolina children. If you don’t like something shoot it.

      Report Post »  
    • theaton
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:17am

      JROOK, didn’t Obama recently bomb two U.S. citizens without due process of law? I don’t think Obama is a NC Republican but I could be wrong.

      Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:17am

      He could be a Democrat against gay marriage. Just because he has a gun and in NC you are assuming he is Republican. To me that is biggoted, JRook.

      However, if you are correct and the sign is on his property and placed there without his permission or knowledge, then he has a right to dispose the sign as he sees fit. Frankly, I would have made a bon fire and burned it.

      If the sign was on someone else property, then he was in the wrong.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • Liberalismsamentaldisorder
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:50am

      @JROOK

      Again you come through with the typical liberal reaction; If you don’t agree with the liberal way, there’s something “wrong” with you and you should be called names. If this sign was placed on his property and he is not breaking any law in the manner in which he’s firing his gun, why is his method of expression any worse than yours?

      Report Post »  
    • DMSNC
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:52am

      JRook – you prefer then the Occupy way? Tear it all down for no particular reason? In NC, we pride ourselves on how we live – there’s still some morality here. In addition, our children aren‘t ’stupid’ – they know what guns are since they haven’t been banned by the Gov (yet). This is a sweep attempt – the people placing these signs (everywhere – private property, highways, etc.) DON‘T EVEN LIVE HERE and there’s been ZERO coverage in the media in the hopes of slipping it by the voters, just like they did with anti-smoking (NC residents didn’t ask for it but like this one, an army of out of staters swept in to push the vote their way).

      Report Post » DMSNC  
    • JRook
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:21pm

      @Liberalismsamentaldisorder Don’t remember calling the individual any names. But discharging firearms on residential property area (you can see another dwelling on the other side of the fence) doesn’t seem like a rational act. As far as the sign I would remove it from my property as well. I am and independent and was merely commenting on the ignorance of his behavior. But I appreciate the groups need to provide ideological responses. Typical.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:31pm

      @JR…
      The Sign… is an Effigy… and the meaning can be found in a Dictionary… which can be found at a Library… or seek out someone who has Tied their Shoe Laces for Help!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • LoriInNC
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:01pm

      In my part of NC the “FOR” marriage signs easily outnumber the “AGAINST” signs by maybe 10 to 1. Frankly without the signs, no one would even know that this is on the ballot next week.

      There was a sign placed near my house in an area that’s just a sign collector — I saw one of these “AGAINST” signs there the other day and planned to go back to pull it up. But… by the time I got there to pull it up, dang if someone hadn’t beat me to it!

      Report Post »  
    • LOL@Liberals
      Posted on May 2, 2012 at 10:00am

      @LoriInNC What part of the state are you in, so I know where to move? I’m stuck in liberal hell, Orange County, NC. I have yet to see a FOR sign.

      Report Post » LOL@Liberals  
  • jayp77
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:15am

    The problem is that this guy is inciting violence against gays, suggesting that the sign is “the next best thing.” Do you really believe that this is who we should be as Americans? These hate-filled, violent people? Gay people are your sisters, brothers, children, grandchildren, etc. In short, they are EVERYWHERE. If you are threatened by them, start by taking a good hard look at your own life because something must be seriously wrong.

    Report Post »  
    • Wayner
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:38am

      JAYP77 you’re as sick as your comment…. Do you have any idea at the number of pro-marriage signs have been defaced, wrecked or stolen over this issue?…. Look at the truth idiot… It’s the queers and their supporters who are causing all the trouble and twisting facts and telling outright lies about this issue..

      Report Post »  
    • wdittgasn
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:45am

      JAYP77-….. If you want to get s–t on your d–k go right ahead, but do not call it marriage…….and the guys in the video obviously do not like yard signs

      Report Post » wdittgasn  
    • jayp77
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:54am

      Wayner, to be clear, I don‘t condone either side defacing peoples’ signs. I would tell anyone that they were stupid for doing it. But, I don’t understand what you think is “sick” about my comment. Is it sick for me to ask people not to be violent to one another? Is it sick to state the truth, which is that gay people are everywhere even if you don’t know it? People just want equal rights and I, for one, don‘t think that’s too much to ask for.

      Report Post »  
    • jayp77
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:59am

      Wdittgasn, you should take an honest poll of your friends to see how many of them have (or wish they were having) that kind of sex with their wives. That is a behavior in the bedroom that has nothing at all to do with marriage. Some married people don’t have sex at all, some don’t have kids, some have 20 kids. The institution of marriage is a federal issue because married couples receive federal benefits. THAT makes it a civil rights issue. I‘m not about to use the constitution to take away people’s rights because you never know who will be next. Could be you or me for whatever reason they decide.

      Report Post »  
    • Wayner
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:23am

      Jayp77… The reason I call it sick is that those people can’t be content to keep it among themselves. They want to promote that lifestyle as being normal… If you’ve done any reading at all lately, you’ve no doubt seen how these people want to “educate” our kids to believing that homosexuality is natural. You‘ve no doubt seen the curriculum’s they would like taught in schools that would teach even kindergarteners that sodomy is just a natural act. I do appologize for calling you a name, but it’s your attitude and the attitude of most liberals, that we would somehow be more advanced as a civilization if we just thought like you….. The patricians of the Greek and Roman Empire’s were also advanced in their thinking as you are.

      Report Post »  
    • jayp77
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:51am

      Wayner, you‘re making an assumption that I’m liberal. Actually, I believe in small gov’t, as small as possible. Not too long ago in this country, true conservatives were trying top STOP gov‘t intrusion in people’s lives. What happened to my fellow true conservatives? And come on now, you don’t actually believe that ANYONE is trying to teach kindergartners about sex acts, do you? You seem like a solid person, so I would ask you to really look at the research and study what anyone is telling you before you take it as fact. All I know is, if they are coming for one group today, tomorrow it could be us.

      Report Post »  
    • Liberalismsamentaldisorder
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:04pm

      @JAYP77

      Jay, here’s the problem. This is one man expressing himself. If you want to suggest he’s calling for violence against gays when he says “next best thing”, that’s one possible interpretation, and clearly that’s wrong. To me he’s using an overly “media centric” way of expressing his dissatisfaction of the sign being placed on his property. When you say “these hateful people” you paint with a big brush. I’m against gay marriage. I don’t hate you, I’d rather leave marriage alone. If you want legal rights, a civil union is the solution I propose. Please don’t call me names. I don’t call you names.

      Report Post »  
    • colt1860
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 12:34pm

      @jayp77 No one in my family is a homosexual, and no relatives that I know of. They’re nowhere near my family. I have 6 aunts and 5 uncles on my mom’s side, and 4 uncles and 5 aunts on my dad’s side. I have over a hundred cousins. Many of them are married. Not one homosexual in the bunch. The problem is your radical agenda that is trying to forcefully redefine marriage, although contrary to nature, our heritage, and our ancient common law. Homosexuals are not a threat, it’s the useful idiots that take advantage of them to advance some radical agenda destructive to our morals and society that IS a threat to our nation.

      In the 1885 Utah Territory case of Murphy v. Ramsey, the United States Supreme Court recognized the fundamental importance of the traditional institution of marriage:

      “For certainly no legislation can be supposed more wholesome and necessary in the founding of a free, self-governing commonwealth, fit to take rank as one of the coordinate States of the Union, than that which seeks to establish it on the basis of the idea of the family, as consisting in and springing from the union for life of one man and one woman in the holy estate of matrimony; the sure foundation of all that is stable and noble in our civilization; the best guaranty of that reverent morality which is the source of all beneficent progress in social and political improvement.”

      Report Post »  
    • Japheth1
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 5:12pm

      Jayp77– I sorta remember talking to my father about homosexuals. I remember that tolerance came up. So if I don‘t want to tolerate someone than I’m not tolerated even though in “America” we are supposed to tolerate everyone. Tolerance is BULLSHYT, Impossible just like Communism, World Peace etc. I still don’t see why people are so ignorant blind and yes retarded to see “America is run by people who have never worked an honest day in there lives and think they know everything. Also why do you think there are 2 yes 2 genders? Is it that so we can go on like some one of the same sex? Do you know that any homosexual that go to the middle east is PUT TO DEATH? As you can see homosexuality is just wrong.

      Report Post »  
    • kenr1963
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:28pm

      You don’t care about equal rights you just want us to condone you in your perversions.Go Jump!!! The same arguments that they are using now will be used within ten years or less to promote NAMLBA.I‘m from a family of Democrats here in North Carolina and I don’t know of one who will vote against Amendment1

      Report Post »  
  • scrapadapolis
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:06am

    How fake who would put a sign infront of a small hill not in sight of a road for all to be read.and also his shotgun couldnt hit the side of a barn.

    Report Post » scrapadapolis  
  • Jim
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:05am

    Sounds good to me.

    Report Post » Jim  
  • Beckisdelusional
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:00am

    If only he would turn that gun around…

    Report Post » Beckisdelusional  
  • MammalOne
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:58am

    …you might be a redneck

    Report Post » MammalOne  
  • UnreconstructedLibertarian
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:50am

    I use old campaign signs to hold up my targets, best recycling program ever.

    Even candidates I supported need to be reminded who is actually in charge – so I use their signs too,

    Somebody please explain to me the difference between what this man did and what is going on around the rest of the world today? Guns or none.

    You can take any symbol of big Gov and its agenda, blow a 12 gauge hole through it – and the communists will protest. Their protest will never end, even whey they are blowing a 12 gauge hole through you.

    My battle flag looks better everyday.

    Report Post » UnreconstructedLibertarian  
  • Haxhi
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:41am

    It‘s a sign maybe he didn’t have money to buy actual targets I use bottles and cans that’s called recycling

    Report Post »  
  • normbal
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:41am

    I’m laughing my butt off here at the comments.

    What a bunch of limp-wristed, slack-jawed, panty-waist whining metrosexuals (and that’s putting it mildly so as not to offend the “gender identity disordered” crowd of professionally offended useful idiots.

    Move along, nothing to see.

    Or, as the “rainbow people” are so fond of saying, “get over it.”

    Report Post » normbal  
    • G-WHIZ
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 10:34am

      Or, as they say in the Bronks…”Fa-gett-a-boud-dit!!

      Report Post »  
  • Shelly
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:39am

    What a waste of good ammo. :\
    Shooting a sign is kind of an ignorant thing to do.

    Report Post » Shelly  
  • VoteRightDammit
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:38am

    MY

    H
    E
    R
    O

    About time we all started standing up and being counted.

    Report Post » VoteRightDammit  
  • TheReasonableLib
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:32am

    If it was on his property it’s fine. If it wasn’t he may have a problem.

    Report Post »  
  • Vydunas
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:31am

    Don’t people ever think about the message and symbolism they use in these YouTubes? This is symbolically shooting gay marriage advocates, and plays into the whole Violent Redneck Bubba meme.

    Report Post »  
  • lilbean
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:25am

    if he lives within the city limits, they could charge him with discharging. if he’s county, he can fire all day long. saturday afternoon around here sounds like a weapons training facility.

    Report Post » lilbean  
    • MittensKittens
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:38am

      Agreed, hell if you want to be official, just take down to your local gun range and ask them if you can use that sign as a target…it worked for me and the 5×7 picture the demon-crats sent my Mom…wink, wink. Dog!

      Report Post » MittensKittens  
  • exfire
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:21am

    -My advice to any guy thinking about getting marrted……go sit in divorce court for a day !! That would scare the hell out of Jonh Wayne.

    Report Post »  
    • Jackie Rogers, Jr.
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:26am

      If marriage is a divine institution directly from God, then God must be a lawyer.

      Report Post » Jackie Rogers, Jr.  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:27am

      Now that’s what I call sound advice…..If you want to get married you should spend a week in divorce court…….That’ll cool your jets in a hurry.
      I never looked for that line you can stand in to give away half your stuff.

      Report Post »  
    • marine249
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:46am

      as a young Deputy Sheriff i worked as a bailiff in a divorce court
      in So. Ca. I think I have seen all the diff. kinds there are, from the
      Oke to Arke, South L.A. to the jecks in Hollywood. I found out one
      thing, find a wife for her brain not her bottom. I have been married
      for amost 50 years.

      Report Post »  
  • Inlandmar2
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:21am

    Much ado…about nothing.

    Report Post » Inlandmar2  
  • mikenleeds
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:19am

    God bless the guns and the southern states

    Report Post » mikenleeds  
  • MarianF
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:19am

    This guy is looking for 15 minutes. Not the brightest way to go about it, but apparently it is working…now if he only spent as much effort reading the NC Marriage amendment. When I read it I don’t see how civil unions are banned. There is specific language stating private parties can enter into contracts with other private parties, AKA civil unions.

    Report Post » MarianF  
  • IARifleman
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:18am

    “Do his rights allow him to fire a gun on his property,” – YES, provided state and local statues do no prevent this.

    “even if it’s at a sign” – YES, Rule 4: Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.

    “especially one placed there by someone not authorized to do so?” – YES.

    Report Post »  
  • ex_nihilo
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:17am

    Can you say free speech? What’s the difference between shooting it, ripping it, burning it, etc?

    Report Post » ex_nihilo  
    • johnjamison
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:24am

      Exactly

      Report Post »  
    • 79USMC83
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:29am

      Oh My God he shot a SIGN !!!! I thought he was protecting his chickens from a predator. Now the Police are there to PROTECT and Serve that SIGN !!! Where is Al Sharpton on this or David “The Bully ” Savage !! The end is near !!!! People are shooting signs!! Those Gun and Bible Loving Southerns should ALL be arrested. people from Harvard just cannot understand whay someone could shoot a sign !!

      Report Post »  
  • Dr. Sax
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:15am

    What do I think? I think people are worried about all the wrong things. Seriously, if this is what bothers people, then our priorities are way off. I can’t imagine the pantywaist who had to call the police to “see if something could be done” about this. Get over yourself.

    Report Post »  
    • MEANS2RESIST
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 11:09am

      Our private shooting range has many of those type signs as target holders, many of them used to read obama 08. A sign is a sign is a sign…they make great target holders.

      Report Post » MEANS2RESIST  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:12am

    Is this REAL? It sure looks like it’s a SET UP.

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • Sergei
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:12am

    @ Hawkeyez – If going into marriage you‘re thinking about a backup plan then probably you shouldn’t be getting married in the first place…

    Report Post »  
  • grimmy
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:07am

    What do i think? I think the sign is the wrong target.

    Report Post »  
  • hawkeyez
    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:06am

    I don’t recommend marriage. It is nothing more than a binding legal contract that says the male half can be financially ruined for life by the woman. My advise to any male thinking off marriage is to contact a lawyer and find out what the consequences are. You may think twice.

    Report Post »  
    • NHwinter
      Posted on May 1, 2012 at 9:36am

      What a sad comment on marriage. If you enter marriage without the “its all about my happiness” and understand that you each give 100%, respecting each other and working together for the same goals, that you share the same life view, and share a faith, I’d say you have a very good chance of making a good marriage. I doubt many people enter marriage with that attitude.

      Report Post » NHwinter  
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