VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) — A prosecutor says he’ll dismiss a firearms charge because he doubts a jury would convict a Vancouver, Washington, man who said he was following the advice of Vice President Joe Biden when he fired a shotgun in the air.
Jeffrey C. Barton had been scheduled for trial next week on the charge. The Columbian reports (https://bit.ly/1uX0k3G ) Clark County Prosecutor Tony Golik said Tuesday that Barton will instead face a charge of obstructing a police officer.
Barton admits firing the gun in July 2013 to chase away three men who appeared to be breaking into his vehicles. He planned the so-called “Biden defense,” based on a statement the vice president made in February 2013 that people don’t need automatic weapons because shooting a shotgun in the air would scare off intruders.
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Information from: The Columbian, https://www.columbian.com
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