Springfield, VA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Gun Owners of America (GOA) Senior Vice President Erich Pratt released the following statement on Kyle Rittenhouse’s citizen-involved shooting:
“Based upon publicly available video evidence, it appears that Kyle Rittenhouse was acting in self-defense. And despite fake news media reports, it is clear that Kyle was not firing indiscriminately into a crowd.
“GOA has reached out to Rittenhouse’s attorneys and the Lake County Public Defender’s office, and we have our own attorneys and use of force experts looking into this case, as well. In the meantime, we demand fair treatment from the media, because up till now, their coverage has been horrific. With no evidence, they have labeled Kyle as a racist and a vigilante, but that just indicates how the media elites view all gun owners.
“More to the point, the media has given more favorable coverage to rioters and looters over the past several months than to gun owners who appear to be protecting their lives from violent attackers. The media excuses the violent torching of American cities as ‘mostly peaceful’ protests. And they now minimize the hatefulness of Kyle’s attackers, calling them mere ‘protestors.’
“But if Leftists want to question why Kyle Rittenhouse was in Kenosha, then they should begin by asking that question to the ‘protestors’ who have criminal records and who have come from out of town to terrorize business owners.
“The bottom line is this: every human being has a God-given right to protect themselves. And when a person’s life is under attack, the Constitution protects their ability to use firearms without ‘infringement’ in the defense of that life.”
Erich Pratt, or another GOA spokesperson, is available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise. GOA represents over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center.
And the dead guys girlfriend cries for the media about her dead boyfriend… Well GEE, IF he wasn’t out rioting and didn’t attack an armed person he would still be with her. Antifa mentality on display. Cause havoc and destruction, then blame others for protecting themselves or their property from you… The BLM and Antifa mobsters do the poor poor pitiful me act EVERY time THEY get nailed.
They are holding a match dangerously close to a PATRIOT fuse they do NOT want to light…
TRUE!!!!!
Seems to me the rioters got what they asked for.
yeah because the law states that those protesting, spray painting, looting, breaking glass, and burning shit during civil unrest are crimes punishable by DEATH…get a grip Chachie…
If he was firing indiscriminately in to the crowd maybe your statement would make sense. However, he was not firing randomly into the crowds, only at those who accosted him.
@Random – Not accosted – attacked. I suspect he accosted the rioters in an attempt to stop destruction. Verbal attack or even physical posturing do not warrant physical attack, and certainly not deadly force. His attackers experienced the consequences of actually attacking someone willing and able to respond appropriately. He also didn’t just “only fire at his attackers” – he only HIT his attackers. Sure it was short range, but f. rom compromised positions, while struggling to retain his carbine, and of course under stress and after that kick that looks like in connected with his head. Damn good shooting… Read more »
We agree, completely I’m sure, quibble the phrasing, lose the point. Accost was a bad choice on my part.
He did fire on #1 more than once and missed, from atleast one report. However even then he did not hit bystanders if he did infact miss, before slamming the 10 ring. The other two shots were beautifully executed considering the situation.
Yes, I am sure he did have to get fresh ones.
Not to mention the fact that after shooting “Skater Dude” he had a malfunction in is weapon and expertly cleared it before subduing “Lefty” the felon with the glock.
I have heard of this malfunction argument, but I fail to see it in the video.
All I see is the guy with the Paramedic hat making a surrender gesture, which results in Kyle not shooting him. Then Paramedic hat guy tries to go around Kyle and shoot him with his Glock and gets shot in the arm instead.
I don’t see the pause as a malfunction, rather a reaction to Paramedic hat guy first surrendering and then attacking.
@CF – I see it the same way. I also consider it more heroic to have displayed judgment and restraint in the midst of that chaos. Anyone can practice malfunctions drills until they can do it in their sleep. Admirable to do it under stress, but not as much as demonstrating restraint. If no one proves that there was infact a malfunction, that pause could play really well to a jury. Fact that in midst of a fight for his life, he paused so quickly when attacker ceased to be a threat shows that he was not there to kill,… Read more »
If he did have a malf, then that was the fastest tap, rack, clear, I’ve ever seen. Or heard of for that matter.
The comments I’ve read here from the Leftist point of view are incredulous! Plain , simple, fctual video evidence is simply beyond their comprehension, diverting to things like his residence, age, gun choice,Etc. They have an acute ability to ignore reality and they will NEVER change their demented mindset. I was not a resident of Vietnam and had a gun given to me at age 17 and was told to go kill as many of the residents of that Communist persuasion as I could. Oh, yeah, they were also trying to kill me . Sounds mighty like what’s going on… Read more »
Divert, obfuscate, and lie, it is the MO of the media at the behest of their controllers. Then because many on the left dont think for themselves, they parrot what they were told. They dont need to watch hard evidence, and it doesnt matter what’s on the tape because “experts” paid by CNN already told them what to see.
Reminds me of Orwell “Ignorance is strength.”
Don’t forget “War is Peace”. We are all going to get to see that little bit of “1984” come to fruition, methinks…
I had not forgotten it at all it just wasnt quite as pertinent.
Yes, I unfortunately think we will see that little bit come about.
It is criminal to arrest someone defending there community and yet they let the trash burn the city. There will come a time they won’t be able to arrest the defender as the crowd will turn on those doing the arresting and the justice system that supports the rioters who have killed and injured many.
Soon, I hope.
So if i tried to forcibly disarm you, or hit you with a skateboard or pulled a gun on you. You would let me do so with out a response, and still call me an innocent protester.
Your brain is a world class gymnast sir.
@pdx – Good thing no innocent people were harmed.
Well, I am sure a skateboard, and kicks to the head, did result in injures to an innocent person.
@Heed – I stand corrected.
Cannot even say “not seriously harmed” because concussion is serious. Don’t ask me how I know because I don’t remember.
Dumpster in aa gas station, if memory serves me, gasoline is very volatile, so if the dumpster was left to burn, the problem would have taken care of itself with the rioters, not having to worry about being shot!!!!!!!!!!!
Media is now fanning the cancel culture flames. Once again attacking Tucker Carlson, this time for having the audacity to suggest that SOME of the shots MIGHT have been self defense. They are calling for boycott of any company advertising on the show. Thinking I’ve got to make a list of advertisers, shop from them, and let them know I’m doing so in gratitude for their support of the first amendment. Those of us who’ve watched the video with an open mind, generally think it was self defense. I haven’t seen enough of the first shot, but the rest was… Read more »
Please spread the list, some of us dont watch the commercials.
With all the attention this story is getting on the world wide media and the liberal press this young man will have a hard time getting a fair trial.
Kyle Rittenhouse is an American Hero. FREE HIM NOW!!!
This is going to go back and forth, between “protesters” and “defenders”, until “government” does it job and takes control of these situations at the outset. Whoever is guilty in this individual instance can be debated – what can’t be debated is the fact that these situations evolve when government treats lawless anarchy as lawful protest (or, as Seattle’s mayor called it, a “summer of love”).
Rittenhouse did not own the gun, his lawyer said Friday.
“Kyle did not carry a gun across state line,” L. Lin Wood said in a tweet Friday morning. “The gun belonged to his friend, a Wisconsin resident. The gun never left the state of Wisconsin.”
Source: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2020/08/26/wisconsin-open-carry-law-kyle-rittenhouse-legally-have-gun-kenosha-protest-shooting-17-year-old/3444231001/
Exatly I been trying to tell people same thing when they mention his age. Old enough to join the military as well.
While I have very strong hopes that Mr. Rittenhouse is innocent and was, in fact, acting in self defense, I do not feel that anyone yet, not directly involved in the case, can know the truth about what happened. I certainly do not expect to learn anything accurate from the MSM, which already has convicted Mr. Rittenhouse.
A little annoying but does break it down pretty well. I just wish he wouldn’t stop & interrupt the interviews & videos. But then it may help someone. https://youtu.be/ySd3bJuYVzU
Watch that video as the cops drive past (with the sound ON) he tries to walk up to the front of the police cruiser to surrender and they shout at him to “GET OUT OF THE ROAD!!!”
we don’t watch tmz losers!
reply to p.s.
Colion Noir breaks down the Kyle Rittenhouse shooting and shows us that Kyle is the victim running from the mob and acts in self defense in all three shooting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ollAg8mRB6M
This is a shirt I wear every now and then.
Perhaps someone could have a similar one made up relating to this incident. If someone already has let me know.
They are wanting people to do as Kyle. It’s a win for them all the way around. They will remove his right to 2A, as well as anyone elses right that tries the same thing. They take your rights, money & freedom. And get to push more laws to remove your rights. More politial fodder. And push us closer to people begging for a police state. Look how they did Patriot Act.
I see it all as a move toward a police state across the nation. They create the havoc. Then remove your right to self defense by being prosecuted. Cry they are going to defund the police & remove their weapons to fight criminals. People will be begging for Police & more laws the longer this goes on.
You know what I don’t see is a lack of Police in their neighborhoods. They need police more than anyone. Who’s going to protect their ass & enforce THEIR laws ?
I posted the link to the charging document in the comment section of the other thread: https://www.ammoland.com/2020/08/skirmish-kenosha-wi-leaves-two-protestors-dead-one-injured/#comment-2839634
There are claims Kyle shot a man first, before running, as he ran & was chased, he fell, 1st guy ran up& kicked him in the head, grabbed his weapon & tried to take it from him & was shot. 2bd nan arrived & hit Kyle in shoulder & head with a skateboard, grabbed his weapon & was shot. I’m curious to know if shells match all 3. I haven’t seen anything that says it. Kyle was NOT the only one with a weapon. They claim he shouldn’t have been there. Well, neither should the rioters & looters. If anyone… Read more »
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation being put out and a rush to judgement as each side tries to justify their own positions and reinforce their own biases.The whole truth is usually complicated and can take a long time to sort out. Even videos don’t show everything. But the name-calling and blaming seem to start right away. Not everyone who supports the BLM movement is Antifa; not everyone who opposes it is a racist Nazi. The right to protest peacefully is a cherished American birthright; there is no excuse violent looting and rioting, however. Such behavior delegitimizes the efforts… Read more »
the misinformation you speak of comes from the drive-by media who care not about telling the truth, but pushing the leftist anti-American, anti-firearm agenda. the dailymail from england made a good case for self-defense with their leftist article. the kid had a molotov cocktail thrown at him and was being chased by rioters when he shot the first guy. he actually went back to the guy and looked like he made a phone call but was told by rioters to gtf out of here and he left. he was running towards the police and was attacked by several rioters, one… Read more »
Are you this stupid all the time or did you let it out of the box just for this post? I suggest that you go back and read your post with a critical eye. And then you may find yourself writing a retraction. You can thank me later.
Using your logic, the USA should not have fought in either WWI or II. Regardless of where you physically are in the USA, you have the right to self-defense. If this were the UK, you might have a point, but as you probably know, we have not been subjects of the Queen in over 250 years.
Yes, there is a lot of misinformation, even from you. The shooter “traveled” 20 miles, a 30 minute drive, yet you make is sound like he was from far far away. He is literally from the neighboring town.
And therefore Charlie, he had NO BUSINESS being in that town…he has no skin in the game, he drove there simply to hope to get into trouble like the boy soldier he thinks he was…now he will spend the rest of his life in prison….and you think that kids ruined life was justified? And the simple fact he MURDERED unarmed people is justified? That’s just sad on your part….
All assailants considered armed. We all have “skin in the game”; including you.
But they were armed…
Just keep that attitude in mind when your house gets burned down and no-one comes to help you. In small towns like these, the next town over is your neighbor!
You also post a lot of misinformation, because the rioters were armed! According to Andrew Branca, these were clear-cut cases of self defense.
And not to mention the ruinous civil suit this knucklehead’s parents will suffer. An under eighteen year old may only handle firearms under proper adult supervision.
Let me explain something to you. Say you have a business you spent your whole life building. The time you spent is yours and yours alone. It is totally gone. Now some shit for brains comes along and burns you out. Say it took 10 YEARS of your LIFE to build that business. That is TEN YEARS that were just stolen from you. ANYONE who does that deserves to get SHOT. PERIOD. Now you can go pour your liberal tears out somewhere else because most of us don’t give a flying rats ass about your inability to understand self defense… Read more »
Many “peaceful protesters” were brought i , boughtb and paid for by some wealthy elites. Some are “professional protesters.
Great ,thoughtful ,and accurate response…unfortunately it will fall on deaf ears in this forum…take heart, there are people on this forum who are intelligent and realize that you are speaking the truth about what this country needs now….both sides need to work together and respect the FACT that both sides are allowed their opinions, but at no point should people be saying that those of the opposite opinion need to die..once your reply to any debate involves killing another individual for their opinions, then you need to step back, take a deep breathe, and start acting like an adult and… Read more »
“no one deserves to die because of civil unrest…last i checked, burning, looting, spray painting, etc…are not crimes punishable by DEATH” No one was killed for burning, looting, spray painting, etc. You are clearly parroting an agenda! In fact, there is a video of Kyle Rittenhouse cleaning a spray painted wall. The people that got killed tried to set a dumpster on fire at a gas station. Kyle Rittenhouse extinguished that fire. For that, he got chased by Joseph Rosenbaum, who then got shot by Kyle in self defense. All the others who were shot were part of the crew… Read more »
@pdx – Yet biden and his ilk propose fining my tens of millions of dollars and imprisoning me for centuries. Not just me but millions of peace loving gun owners. Between incredible debt we’ve been assuming this year, removal of so many of the most productive members of society, and the immense increase in prisoners it would be impossible to feed and house so many new felons. You do know how the nazis arrived at their “final solution” don’t you? Their imprisoned innocents are dwarfed by the population biden proposes. Even if being arrested simply meant bankruptcy for me and… Read more »
No one said people on the “other side need to die”. We have all stated that the shootings were self-defense, meaning his life was threaten, but because you feel the wrong ones died, you are upset that he protected his life to the detriment of those you believe should have prevailed. Too bad for you, you now see normal people standing up to these rioters and looters that are trying to destroy our nation. If those leftists and/or criminals, as the decedents actually were, were not there , they would still be alive. How is destruction of personal and public… Read more »
This wasn’t over “opinions”. It was over the fact that some lunatic took out after him because they didn’t like him putting out their fire. One less lunatic. Then another lunatic took out after him with a skateboard. One more less lunatic. And last but not least another lunatic took out after him with a pistol. One less lunatic bicep and maybe arm.
That’s what Sen. Paul said, I wouldn’t of had that restraint.
Sorry, Erich Pratt, et.al. You blew it, big time. There was no justification under any legal circumstances for the 17-year old to cross state lines, armed and without authority, to wade into a riot with gun blazing. Self-defense? If he didn’t belong there and could have avoided the scene, there is no bill for self-defense. Don’t believe me. Read from the best expert on the subject, Andrew Branca, in his classic, “The Law Of Self Defense“. As for Pratt’s GOA, I’m ripping up my membership card.
Andrew Branca actually disagrees with your politically motivated assessment!
https://lawofselfdefense.com/blog/
When we hear it from Attorney Branca, I’ll believe it.
So, you haven’t clicked on the link I provided then? He provides a detailed analysis.
Yes! Apparently, I missed the link. I’ll click onto it now. But you can’t Blair me for my comment. I only read the book, and his analysis of self-defense law is very clear.
Yes, his analysis of self-defense law is very clear, which is why this was a clear-cut case of self defense and all the things you mentioned have no bearing on that. That is exactly what Andrew Branca posted yesterday and what many of us understood from the beginning.
@CF – Would it violate copyright to finish the last sentence visible to those of us who are not members of his website? Was all set to criticize @Wass for not following your link – but text cuts off between build up and verdict. From your post, I believe I can guess correctly – but want to see explicit statement.
Yes, it would violate copyright to provide an exact copy of the original members-only text here on Ammoland. Everyone is free to subscribe to that content. Finishing a single sentence will not provide the full picture anyway.
According to Andrew Branca, these are clear-cut cases of self defense. He says the crossing state lines and being 17 in possession of a rifle are irrelevant to the self defense claims. Rittenhouse might get convicted on charges related to that, though.
I also need to point out that @Wass was using Andrew Branca’s name without checking on his option on that, which was already posted yesterday.
Sorry Wass, Stupid is as Stupid does, and you Sir ,have taken the bait. You SHOULD rip up your GOA card because you have apparently gone to the Dark Side, and we have no need of you here.
Wass, don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.
COULD THIS HAVE BEEN AVOIDED? should this child have been there in the first place? why was the child in possession of a deadly weapon? what property was damaged? he wasn’t “protecting” anything if he was running away and fell. so who here is really spinning the truth to fit their agenda?
“what property was damaged?” I guess you have not paid attention at all. Several businesses were looted and destroyed in the night before and during that night. The “kid” prevented a mob from setting a dumpster on fire at a gas station. He used a fire extinguisher and the crowd got mad at that. That triggered the entire sequence of events. I guess you want more businesses being looted and destroyed and that gas staton set on fire? Yes, these shootings were available. If those rioters had just stopped with their looting and destruction of businesses. If those rioters had… Read more »
Too bad the LAW diagrees with everything you’re trying to justify that kid doing Charlie…he MURDERED innocent people…for what? A burning dumpster? My God, you value people’s lives THAT LITTLE?? So sad….
I think you need to go, I hear your pimp calling your name.
One guy pulled a gun out on him….
Andrew Branca, who literally wrote the book on The Law of Self Defense disagrees with your politically motivated assessment!
And setting a dumpster on fire at a gas station is arson and potentially an act of terrorism. You do know that gas stations store gas, right?
@pdx – we don set the price on their lives. When they attacked a man with a rifle for putting out a dumpster fire, they decided that the fire was worth more than their lives. Let me repeat – they set the price. I believe all life is precious. I expect my life is less precious to the them than their own is. I know my family’s, friends’ and own lives are more precious to me than theirs. That said, if they value their own lives so little, why should we mourn their passing? After all I don’t cry over… Read more »
Really innocent people! So if you was to get beaten or killed by these (protesters) you think your family would not want Justice and just say it’s okay they were misunderstood innocent people that did it.
Insurgents are NOT “innocent people”!
Gee, sorry he wasn’t issued RUBBER BULLETS!!!!!!!!!!
Where do you see innocent people being murdered, all of the available video disagrees with you 100%? These buffoons thought they’d jump a lone man and get his weapon, throwing plastic bags with something tied in it and were chasing him trying to get his weapon when he tried to put out that dumpster fire (New video has shown him carrying a fire extinguisher to put it out). He’s seen running down the street and those other jacks chasing him, now they’re the aggressors. Skateboard punk using his skateboard as a weapon is the aggressor, Bicep no more boy had… Read more »
Agreed..nothing the people who were shot were doing was punishable by DEATH….the kid who drove to another town thinking he’s some kind of militia man is simply a multiple murderer..his life is ruined…for what? Some burning property? Did he have to step out of the way of a Molotov cocktail thrown in his direction….? Friggin sad for EVERYONE involved in this tragedy….the kid AND his victims…
Should the kid let the guy beat him to death a skateboard or let the other guy shoot him….
Idk if you’ve ever been hit with a skateboard, it is not fun. My buddies used to call it getting ‘truck fucked’ because those axels or trucks as skaters call them are metal, and can easily break bones or cave in a skull. At the first shoot, guy chases him to either assault him or grab his rifle. Attacked in an attempt to forcibly disarm, met with force. Contestant 2 was shot after striking him with a skateboard, which is assault with a weapon. Number 3 pulled a gun. Got his wing clipped for his trouble. His “victims” generally seemed… Read more »
@pdx – Under some of the most admirable laws of our great nation, anyone being assaulted with a deadly weapon has a right to defend themselves through an appropriate response. If death of an attacker occurs as a side effect, then so be it. That was the case here. There were several people, and those who stepped back (without pulling a gun) were simply allowed to leave. While I question the wisdom of this young man to have been there at all, and certainly to have become separated from the groups of peaceful protectors – when attacked he responded appropriately… Read more »
“nothing the people who were shot were doing was punishable by DEATH”. Sure they did, they were trying to KILL HIM. Pretty sure that is punishable by the death penalty.
“….the kid who drove to another town.” Not quite, His mother drove him there, apparently to have him help protect a family member’s business.
@HDD – Had not heard that last piece. How solid is the info? We need to be careful of spreading rumor or fake news – the internet’s already got plenty of that. When supporters get caught spreading half truths or worse, it reflect some on us and possibly on the victim in this case. Never mind the other sides constant false propaganda, we’re the good guys – right?
I think the videos are clear enough, he should not need justification for his presence in a public location.
You say child, do you realize there are 17 year olds can still join the military with parental consent, also at least in my state at age 17 you are legally able to be called up to the militia.
I was 17 years, 7 months and 12 days old when I first stepped onto a place called Fort Ord. I had sworn in four months earlier.
People would not try to protect businesses if the police didn’t have their hands tied by Democrat politicians and the so called peaceful protesters we’re not burning them to the ground and beating property owners or anybody that tries to stop it. Why all of a sudden does the leftist care about this when people are murdering each other in democratic- cities with nothing said. The leftist run media now cares because he is White and it fits their narrative. If you watch the videos the only reason he fell is because he was struck in the back of the… Read more »