03-02-2016, 11:03 AM
(03-02-2016, 12:15 AM)Cutz Wrote:Because it's not theft. But, because it's a gun we're talking about "he stole it."(03-01-2016, 10:14 PM)HairOfTheDog Wrote: The boy did steal the gun from his parents.
Steal (from Websters)
: to take (something that you are not supposed to have) without asking for permission
: to take (something that does not belong to you) in a way that is wrong or illegal
I can see how some people could view it as "borrowing without permission" instead of "stealing" since the boy claims he intended to return it. I wouldn't argue that view; but it's irrelevant semantics when it comes to the charge under consideration.
It's less to do with the fact that he intends to return it and more to do with the fact that it belongs to the family. I get the whole "he didn't ask his parents for permission," but when an object is not owned by a single member of the family, the familial claim branches out to include kiddo. Like... he doesn't own the house, but you'd be hard pressed to claim destruction of property if he smashed a chair. He didn't have permission to do it... but it's practically his chair.
Legally it does not matter one iota. I'm not trying to argue semantically or say it matters for the case, just I don't see it as theft. /Shrug.