General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Tennessee Supreme Court Considers Whether Minor Is An Accomplice In Her Own Statutory Rape [View all]Starboard Tack
(11,181 posts)There is no way the girl/victim is an "accomplice" in the crime, even though she may consider herself a willing victim. The state has established a legal age of consent for carnal knowledge and laws have been enacted, classifying the adult male a rapist. The crime is his, and his alone. The girl bears no responsibility in terms of the crime and Collier's case is bogus IMO.
Any "blame" which may attach to the girl, is not blame for being a victim. She appears to have made some bad choices and hopefully will have learned from that. Whatever she might have done, though, does not excuse the crime, nor does it mitigate the crime in any way. Succumbing to temptation is not a defense.
Gun owners, OTOH, have a responsibility, and should be held accountable, to a degree, for their negligent actions that result in innocent lives being endangered or lost. True accountability in that area would change a lot of minds regarding gun ownership.