A Missouri conservative admits he pointed a gun at another driver during a road rage incident over her political bumper stickers.
Edward Burns, of Ozark, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, a class E felony, in connection with the Aug. 24 encounter, reported the Christian County Headliner.
The 48-year-old Burns passed Democratic activist Laura Umphenour -- who has many political bumper stickers on her minivan -- as they entered U.S 65, and both drivers admit to exchanging obscene gestures.
Umphenour told police she pulled alongside the other driver and flipped him off, and she said Burns then pointed a handgun at her and told the woman to back off.
She then jerked the steering wheel in fear, lost control, crashed into Burns' SUV and then slid across the road into a guardrail, according to police.
Burns waived his Miranda rights and admitted to pointing a Smith & Wesson .380 handgun at the woman because he thought her political views were "stupid," and he became angry when she extended her middle finger at him.
“During his confession he noted several political decals, which expressed a different political view than his own, on the rear of (the) van, which he thought were stupid,” police said in their report. “Edward indicated at no time was he ‘scared’ of (the victim) and indicated he only displayed the gun in an attempt to stop the road rage incident. Edward said he wanted (the victim) to know not to mess with him.”
Umphenour plans to file a civil suit against Burns, who was released from jail on $5,000 bond.
"Our differences should bind us, not divide us," said her attorney, David Ransin. "And you shouldn't go ballistic over bumper stickers."
