An Oklahoma City metro man was taken into custody last week after he confessed to brandishing a firearm at another driver during a road rage incident.
On November 19, a woman reached out to the police, reporting an incident where she claimed a man had pointed a gun at her. She explained that while she was driving westbound on the Kilpatrick Turnpike, nearing the Pennsylvania Avenue exit, she slowed down to allow a merging semi-truck driver. However, the driver of a vehicle behind her came dangerously close, honked, and then moved into the exit lane. The woman stated that she witnessed the driver, later identified as Joshua Palmer by the police, brandishing a gun and aiming it at her while driving alongside her. It is important to note that Palmer did not discharge the weapon.
Oklahoma City attorney Robert Gifford urges people to reconsider their reactions during this time of year, as road rage tends to be prevalent.
Police located Palmer and conducted separate interviews with him. According to an affidavit for his arrest, Palmer initially downplayed the incident, claiming that he only honked at the woman. However, when pressed by an officer, Palmer admitted to having a gun but maintained that he simply displayed it to the driver without pointing it at her. He explained that he was confused about the laws regarding the appropriate use of firearms for intimidation. The officer informed Palmer that pulling out a gun in this situation was excessive.
When questioned by News 4, Gifford was asked about the potential loophole in state law that allows for differing interpretations regarding the use of firearms against another driver.
Gifford expressed that the situation will never be alright and one cannot expect to emerge victorious from it.
According to Gifford, there seems to be a misunderstanding among certain Oklahoma drivers who are confusing the stand your ground laws for homeowners with the rules of the road. He believes that if drivers resort to perceived threats of violence, they may struggle to convince the criminal justice system that their actions were justified. News 4 has covered at least five road rage incidents since June.
According to Gifford, law enforcement and prosecutors should never view behaviors like reckless driving or driving too slowly in the left lane as grounds to use a weapon.
Palmer faced charges for committing the felony act of pointing a firearm. According to a state statute, the specifics of the gun, including its type, whether it was loaded or not, or if the act was intended as a prank, are irrelevant.
According to administrators at the Oklahoma County Jail, Palmer has posted bond on Sunday. Despite reaching out to him for comment, News 4 employees did not receive a response. If found guilty, Gifford explains that Palmer could potentially be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison.
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