Man Murdered on PA State Gameland Rifle Range Possibly for his gun

[RamboLiberal]

Carlisle, Pa. - Was he targeted, or a victim of a random act of violence? The death of a midstate attorney is considered homicide. He was killed at a Cumberland County shooting range, and police think his missing firearm may be a key piece of evidence.

Police and the district attorney called a news conference to update the investigation into the murder of Todd Getgen this afternoon. They say they're getting some leads - but there's nothing yet on a possible suspect.

The 42-year-old attorney was shot and killed while target practicing at a public rifle range on state game lands near Carlisle. Getgen was an gun enthusiast, and owned numerous firearms.

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Police are looking for Getgen's custom built AR-15-type automatic rifle. It may have been taken by the killer or someone else, and they're asking local gun dealers to keep an eye out for it.

The district attorney says it's possible Getgen was targeted for his gun, or it could have just been random act. He says it's still too early in the investigation to know for sure.

http://www.whtm.com/news/stories/0710/757764.html

Unfortunately it is illegal to be carrying another loaded gun on the range (though many do for their own safety since it can be lonely areas) and the rules at least to me are arcane. 3 rounds in rifle. 6 rounds in pistol.

[PavePusher]

1. A bit off-topic, but it almost certainly wasn't an "automatic rifle"...

stupid, stupid reporters are the fail.

[OneTenthofOnePercent]

12. Wellm considering the facts it may have been. It's plausible, IMO.

The victim was an attorney so it's very possible he was well-to-do, if not wealthy. An automatic AR15/M16 can be had for as little as $10k-$14k. I have nearly bought one once (but I settled on a Mac 11 instead). It's not hard to believe

Would a simple $600-$1000 rifle be worth killing someone when they are common and everywhere and taking one from a different victim (not armed at a range) might not require murder? On the other hand, an M16 worth over $10k is very rare to come across, let alone be able to afford for many people. Would an assailant be more likely to kill someone for an AR15 or an M16?

However, to offer my own counterpoint... why wouldn't someone capable of murder just steal a regular AR15 and convert it to F/A themselves? That is easier than finding a victim with an M16 and much less severe than murder. Plus the item you are stealing is unregistered (regular rifle instead of an NFA item).

[RamboLiberal]

13. Bushmasters are usually in the 1,200+ range

And his was custom built with a silencer. Another similiar rifle was stolen at that range in May. I'm still thinking someone wanted the gun. But then again it could be someone gunning for him.

[oneshooter]

2. If it's concealed then who knows how many are loaded. n/t

[divideandconquer]

3. Once again guns are proved to be a bigger target than deterent

Ironically, guns are one of the most stolen items.

[Pavulon]

4. then by jesus we must ban them, along with engagement rings

and cars. Because fuckers will steal them, yeah.

[Hoopla Phil]

8. And tennis shoes. Don't forget those.

[X_Digger]

5. Ironically, you're wrong.

This list is quoted in- http://www.amazon.com/Burglars-Job-Streetlife-Residential-Break-ins/dp/1555532713

Cash.............................32%
Jewelry, Silver.................21%
Electronic Equipment........20%
Tools.............................16%
Guns, Ammunition.............8%
Motor Vehicle Parts, Acc....2%
Clothing, Household Goods..1%

The authors interviewed residential burglars in prison, and yes, their number three priority (behind cash and jewelry) was guns, but in reality, it's low on the list of things that actually are stolen.

With few exceptions, however, the interviewees were agreed that, upon entering a dwelling, one should make a beeline for the master bedroom; this is where cash, jewelry, and and guns are most likely to be found. These items are highly prized by burglars, being light to carry, easily concealed, and representing excellent "pound for pound" value.
...

The first thing you always do when you get to a house is you always go to the bedroom. That's your first move... because that's where the majority of people keep they stuff like jewelry or cash. You know it's gon be a jewelry box in the bedroom; you know you ain't gon find it in the living room. Guns, you ain't gon find that too much in the living room. {No. 055}

Have another source that contradicts that? Or is that just 'common wisdom' that you picked up somewhere and didn't think to ask where it came from?

[Euromutt]

11. What an interesting notion of "proof" you have!

According to the article, the local DA doesn't know that the guy was murdered for his gun:

The district attorney says it's possible Getgen was targeted for his gun, or it could have just been random act. He says it's still too early in the investigation to know for sure.

So unless you're the culprit in this murder, all you have is speculation. Speculation is not evidence, let alone proof.

But even if this guy was murdered for his rifle, you have to wonder how much of a deterrent a weapon is when you're legally allowed to load at most 3 rounds, and aren't allowed to have another loaded weapon on hand as backup. In those circumstances, a firearm isn't a very effective deterrent, no, but those aren't circumstances under which you'd normally use a firearm defensively. Talk about the fallacy of the unrepresentative sample (http://fallacyfiles.org/biassamp.html).

[Katya Mullethov]

6. Unintended consequences

The harder you make it for fellows with a street address moko and multiple felonies to purchase a firearm the more often random citizens will become the object of their depredations .

[-..__...]

7. He was a personal injury/medical malpractice attorney...

not exactly the most admired profession (in no way do I mean he deserved it for that), so... other motives are possible.

Stealing the gun was an afterthought.

Seems to me that the killer is either extremely stupid, desperate or not a seasoned criminal/amateur... it would be foolhardy to steal something that could easily be traced back to a murder scene.

[AtheistCrusader]

10. The theft might have been by another party.

Hypothetical scenario:

Assailant kills lawyer for XYZ reason. (Didn't get him off, charged too much, knew something he shouldn't, etc.)
First person on scene finds lawyer dead, recognizes valuable rifle. Absconds with it, and reports nothing.

Probably killed for his weapon, but impossible to know until we catch the scumbag.

[MicaelS]

9. Another thread over in GD

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8794533&mesg_id=8794533

First thing I thought of he was murdered because he was alone, just like Platt and Matix did to in Florida years ago. Lesson here is never go shooting alone in an unsupervised location.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1986_FBI_Miami_shootout

On 5 October 1985, Platt and Matix murdered 25 year-old Emelio Briel while he was target shooting at a rock pit. The pair stole Briel's car and used it to commit several robberies. Briel's remains were found on 1 March 1986 but were not positively identified until May 1986.

On 12 March 1986, Platt and Matix robbed and shot Jose Collazo while Collazo was target shooting at a rock pit. The pair left Collazo for dead and stole his car, a black 1979 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. Collazo survived the shooting and walked three miles to get help.

[spin]

14. I remember reading about the Emelio Briel incident...

I agree that if you are shooting in a remote location, it's best to bring along a friend.