Police say pointing a gun of any kind is intimidation

Yes, you can be charged for pointing an unloaded gun at someone.

For example, Shawn Miller was drunk in Boonville Monday afternoon when he pointed a gun at another man. The gun was unloaded, but neither Miller nor the man at whom he was pointing the gun knew that. The man told police when they arrived that Miller then pulled the trigger several times.

Now Miller is charged with intimidation. Indiana State Police Sgt. John Perrine said this is a classic case of intimidation even though the gun was unloaded.

“Anybody who points a firearm at another human being outside self-defense is a reckless gun owner,” Perrine said. “If the gun to perceived to be real that’s considered deadly force.”

He reminds all gun owners to be smart in how they use and store their guns.