Pew-Pew Hand Gesture Is A Crime? // Pennsylvania Court Rules

Published on August 29, 2019
Duration: 8:02

This video discusses a Pennsylvania court ruling that found making a gun-like hand gesture towards a neighbor to be a crime, specifically disorderly conduct. The ruling was upheld by the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, which stated the gesture served no legitimate purpose and recklessly risked provoking a dangerous altercation. The discussion also touches upon the contrasting Supreme Court ruling that a middle finger gesture is protected free speech, highlighting a perceived inconsistency in how non-verbal communication is legally treated.

Quick Summary

A Pennsylvania court ruled that making a gun-like hand gesture towards a neighbor can be a crime, specifically disorderly conduct. The Superior Court of Pennsylvania upheld this, stating the gesture served no legitimate purpose and risked provoking a dangerous altercation, despite contrasting with free speech protections for other gestures like the middle finger.

Chapters

  1. 00:01Intro: Pew Pew Hand Gesture Crime?
  2. 00:18Hank Strange Situation Intro
  3. 00:30Pennsylvania Man Guilty of Gun Gesture
  4. 00:47Court Ruling on Gun-Like Hand Gesture
  5. 01:06Details of the Incident: Steven Kerchner
  6. 01:35Neighbor's Reaction and 911 Call
  7. 02:05Background of Neighbor Dispute
  8. 02:28Citation for Disorderly Conduct
  9. 03:01Appeal and Court Arguments
  10. 03:17Superior Court of Pennsylvania Ruling
  11. 03:32Potential Supreme Court Appeal
  12. 03:40Supreme Court Ruling on Middle Finger Gesture
  13. 04:13Free Speech vs. Hand Gestures
  14. 05:03Societal Panics Over Gestures
  15. 05:13Zero Tolerance Policies in Schools
  16. 06:12Escalation of Non-Verbal Conflict
  17. 06:43Intent Behind Hand Gestures
  18. 07:05Calling 911 Over a Gesture
  19. 07:15Viewer Opinions and Call to Action
  20. 07:35Outro and Subscribe

Frequently Asked Questions

Is making a gun-like hand gesture a crime in Pennsylvania?

Yes, a Pennsylvania court ruled that making a gun-like hand gesture towards a neighbor can be considered a crime, specifically disorderly conduct. This ruling was upheld by the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, which found the gesture served no legitimate purpose and risked provoking a dangerous altercation.

How does the Pennsylvania ruling on gun gestures compare to free speech protections for other gestures?

The Pennsylvania ruling on gun gestures contrasts with a Supreme Court decision that a middle finger gesture is protected free speech. This raises questions about legal distinctions between various non-verbal expressions and their potential to be criminalized.

What was the legal basis for the Pennsylvania court's ruling on the gun-like hand gesture?

The Superior Court of Pennsylvania ruled that the gun-like hand gesture served no legitimate purpose and recklessly risked provoking a dangerous altercation. This was sufficient grounds to uphold the disorderly conduct charge, even without actual violence occurring.

What led to the incident involving the gun-like hand gesture in Pennsylvania?

The incident occurred during an argument between neighbors in Manor Township, Pennsylvania. The man made the gesture after his neighbor reportedly gave him the middle finger, and the gesture made nearby residents feel nervous, prompting a call to the police.

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