In Bellingham, Washington a man named Ray Gilbride who is a true Trump supporter has had about seven of his Trump signs stolen, he has only caught one on camera. Fed up with it he had decided to “shock them back” literally. Gilbride rigged up his Trump signs that would zap anyone who would touch them. Police say that Gilbride has a right to protect his property as long as no one gets hurt. Gilbride does have a freedom of speech but does he really have to shock people in order to get his message across that he supports Trump?
Would you still attempt to steal the sign if you knew that it would give you a slight zap?
Should this man be allowed to shock the people that try to steal his signs?
I believe this comes down to a very simple basis. This article has little to nothing to do with politics or beliefs, it has to do with what is someone else's and what is someone's property. This man bought signs, and those signs are his on his property and there is no denying any of that from him. If he choses to protect them with sprinklers, or guard dogs, or zapping in this case, so be it, it's his property and he can certainly protect his belongings even if it seems out of the ordinary. We all know of electric fences and the fact that they are there to protect private and protected property, and there is no one who argues the validity of that institution or person's right to use electric fences to protect from trespassing. The same principle is here, regardless of politics, there is no need to bring in the idea of candidacy affiliation into this situation at all.
ReplyDeleteI wholesale agree with this statement. I truly believe that there would be absolutely no story in the news if these hand't been objects affiliated with a presidential candidate. Essentially what this man is doing is just in methods. Would I steal the sign, no even i It wouldn't shock me theft is theft.
DeleteI wouldn't steal someone elses belongings in the first place. But overall I could see why the guy might be angry, but I feel like zapping people is not the right path to take, for example what if a little child went and touched the sign ? Why should someone innocent be hurt?
ReplyDeleteI think it is too extreme to shock people if they try to steal your sign, if you don't want people stealing your sign then put it on your roof or somewhere people can't reach it.
ReplyDeleteI think people have opinions and people should respect it. I think it was wrong to steal the sign in the first place, and as long as there is no lasting damaged done to person stealing, it is fine to guard them with zaps.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Tomislav. This issue is not about politics nor is it about anything deeper than someone violating another person's property. It doesn't matter what it is, people are stealing from him, and he is simply protecting his property. The true crime is simply thievery, not the man's expression of opinion.
ReplyDeleteI would not attempt to steal a Trump sign because that is basically stealing from private property. This man should be allowed to shock thieves because it protects his property as well as prevents criminals from taking from him. I mean, have you seen how expensive those trump signs are?
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense why this man would want to protect his private property. While people are allowed to freely express themselves, they shouldn't steal stuff that doesn't belong to them. Although seven Trump signs are a bit much, the man has the freedom of speech.
ReplyDeleteI understand why this man wants to protect his property and I believe that he has the right to, as long as no one gets seriously injured. If they receive a slight shock, then it's okay because it will not seriously injure them. I would not steal his signs because they're not my property and it's not nice to steal peoples things, even if i do not agree with it. If i wanted to steal his sign and new i would get a slight shock from doing so, I would not do it.
ReplyDeleteThe man has his freedom of speech right just like everyone else, if he wants to express his support for Trump with all those signs on his property it's his own protected right. He wants to protect his property from being damaged or stolen and I believe he is entitled to do it even though he went to the extremes of shocking people.
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ReplyDeleteThis man has the right to his own property, therefore he should be able to do what he wants on that land. As long as his actions do not put others in danger or violate other's rights, he is free to do as he wishes. In addition, this man has the right to freedom of speech, however so he chooses to use it.
ReplyDeleteThis man has the right to his own property, therefore he should be able to do what he wants on that land. As long as his actions do not put others in danger or violate other's rights, he is free to do as he wishes. In addition, this man has the right to freedom of speech, however so he chooses to use it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Caitlyn that this man has a right to freedom of speech and he also has a right to own property. If his property is being taken then he can protect it in anyway that he feel necessary.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is entitled to their own right and beliefs. His tactics are unique and justifiable, however, repeatedly taking his signs wont change anything; other than fueling his drive to further vote for trump.
ReplyDeletePersonally I believe that everyone has a right to what they believe in and that no one should be able to do anything to harm their beliefs. To be completely honest I wouldn't even go through the trouble of stealing a sign anyways. The man does have a right to do what needs to be done to protect his property as long as he doesn't hurt anyone like it says in the article.
ReplyDeleteYes I would still steal them, all you got to do is put some gloves on and you got it. Who cares if someone steals your trump sign just go get another like it's that hard to do and his cameras are worthless if they've only caught one person far. You might as well sit outside your house all day watching if someone steals your sign and for a fact if I lived in his neighborhood I would steal his sign too.
ReplyDeleteIf I ever saw that sign, I would steal it and keep doing it until I have all of his signs. Like Isaiah said, put some gloves on and get to work. Vote el chapo
ReplyDeleteIf I ever saw that sign, I would steal it and keep doing it until I have all of his signs. Like Isaiah said, put some gloves on and get to work. Vote el chapo
ReplyDeleteI would not steal the sign even if there were no electric shocks to protect it. So I would definitely not steal the signs if I knew I was going to get zapped. I think that the man has a right to zap people who try to steal his Trump support signs. He can do whatever he needs to do to stop people from stealing as long the shocks are used for protection, not for attacking.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this man has the right to protect his property since he bought them and he can do what he wants with them. As we all know not many people agree with Trumps views, so he should to some degree expect something to happen to his signs. In the end he has his right to protect his property and others can still do what they want as this is still a free country.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this man has the right to protect his property since he bought them and he can do what he wants with them. As we all know not many people agree with Trumps views, so he should to some degree expect something to happen to his signs. In the end he has his right to protect his property and others can still do what they want as this is still a free country.
ReplyDeleteI think that he did have the right to shock people because if it was continuous harassment, then he definitely wants to get his point across. No one should be taking down anyone's political signs no matter who they support because that just shows immaturity.
ReplyDeleteI think that he did have the right to shock people because if it was continuous harassment, then he definitely wants to get his point across. No one should be taking down anyone's political signs no matter who they support because that just shows immaturity.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone should just leave him alone and let him believe and follow what he wants. The zapping thing though is pretty funny so I give him props to protecting his beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI believe that people should not care about who Ray Gilbride is supporting. Also if people try too take the flag down than that means that is a destruction of property.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this man can own the signs if he wants to and it’s his business if he wants to protect his property with electric wires, people should not be messing with his property anyways. It should not matter to anyone what is on those signs, and it honestly really sucks that people cannot respect this man's opinion enough to just leave him and his property alone.
ReplyDeleteI would not even attempt to steal it, I would just burn it on the spot and run. I believe that he is allowed to protect the things that are on his property but at what cost? What if a harmless cat just comes up and tries to rub against it and it dies? something to think about.
ReplyDeleteThe man should be able to protect his own property and he should be able to believe what he wants. He should have free speech and be able to believe what he wants to.
ReplyDeleteThe man should be able to protect his own property and he should be able to believe what he wants. He should have free speech and be able to believe what he wants to.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Quinn and Caitlyn. This man does have a right to protect his property, but I do not think it is necessary that he make it zap them back. That could end up endangering someone, and if anything really serious to happen the man would probably be in a lot of trouble. I think there are betters ways to solve this problem, like displaying the sign inside a window that way no one can get to it.
ReplyDeletewhile the man has the right to protect his own property, and he is a victim of vandalism, he went too far. he should have simply gone to the police instead of taking it into his own hands.
ReplyDeleteI think the man should be able to zap people who try to steal his Trump signs. The people who are trying to steal the signs are walking onto private property and trying to vandalize the signs.
ReplyDeleteThere's ways to handle situations and this isn't it. Yeah, I agree that he should be able to protect his property and stealing the signs is wrong, but zapping people is kind of ridiculous. The person stealing is equally in the wrong though. Not everyone will have the same political stance as you and that doesn't mean you can go stealing stuff.
ReplyDeleteLike what other people are saying I also believe this man has a right to protect his property. If people are going out of their way to destroy or steal his property he has every right to go out of his way to protect that property.
ReplyDeleteThe police do have a point, this man has the right to protect his property. Everyone has the right to freedom of speech and that is what the man was doing,expressing himself. People need to respect other people's homes and opinions as well. Even though we all don't agree with each other.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would not touch or steal his signs whether they gave off a shock or not. He has a right to express his political beliefs and who he supports in this election; however, I think it's unacceptable and completely unnecessary for him to make an effort to physically hurt people back who steal his signs. While stealing his signs may be an act of wrongdoing, shocking these people in no way makes the situation any better. In other words, going out and shocking people over this is just really "extra"
ReplyDeletePersonally, I would not touch or steal his signs whether they gave off a shock or not. He has a right to express his political beliefs and who he supports in this election; however, I think it's unacceptable and completely unnecessary for him to make an effort to physically hurt people back who steal his signs. While stealing his signs may be an act of wrongdoing, shocking these people in no way makes the situation any better. In other words, going out and shocking people over this is just really "extra"
ReplyDeleteIn this situation, it seems obvious that this man should be able to express his beliefs on his property and to protect such property, however, when his actions cause physical pain to others, they become questionable. The person who tried to remove the sign may not have been seriously injured, given it was only a small electric shock, but at what point does "protection" of one's property become serioiusly dangerous to the offender?
ReplyDeleteThe issue at hand can only be resolved if those who committed the crime of stealing have been brought to justice. However, I would personally not try to steal the sign myself even if knowing it was booby trapped or not. It is absolutely the mans right to have his freedom of expression for he can believe in whatever he would like.
ReplyDeleteThis man under the constitution has the ability to express his own beliefs whether it being inflammatory or not. If you step on someone's property to take or damage their property they have every right to take matters in their own hand.
ReplyDeleteI would not attempt to steal the sign because at that point I would be vandalizing his property. He also has the right to shock the people because he's protecting his personal rights.
ReplyDeleteI would not attempt to steal the sign because at that point I would be vandalizing his property. He also has the right to shock the people because he's protecting his personal rights.
ReplyDeleteI would not attempt to steal the sign because at that point I would be vandalizing his property. He also has the right to shock the people because he's protecting his personal rights.
ReplyDeleteI definitely would not steal the sign if it had a slight zap. But I think its his right to protect his belonging so if that means shocking people so be it.
ReplyDeleteI think he does have the right to shock people, since it's for protection of his personal property.
ReplyDeleteConsidering it's his property, than yes he has the right. But i do think there could be a more appropriate and safer way to get his word across.
ReplyDeleteYes he has the rights and it is his property but that doesn't mean he has to use violence to tell the others to back off.
ReplyDelete