Let's see - what other actions short of dropping a dime could Jim have taken:
- Talked directly to Mike about his behavior with his child and concerns over his alcohol and subsequent bomb use.
- Talked directly to Mikes wife about his concern for their safety and her husbands use of alcohol and explosives
- Sought out Mikes friends and relatives and hopefully persuade them to intervene
What Jim chose to do was play protectorate of the masses and inform the police on someone whom he at the very least had a casual friendship with. If Jim feels he's saved the lives of the innocent by his actions then I guess he'll have to live with the fact that he didn't quite save the life of Mike Ambrose. For all intents and purposes - his life is ruined - it's over Johnny. Business = gone. Reputation = gone. Freedom = gone. Wife = ? Family = ?
You can bet your bottom dollar that the DA will have a field day with this and the press? Forget about it. "Another whacked out gun owner in Massachusetts". Think this won't have repercussions for all of us? Wake the hell up - it's one more nail in our collective coffins. Mike Ambrose screwed up - no question, but now he's all done - over. Would the alternatives have given fruit? Maybe - maybe not. One thing is for sure however - we will never ever know, because Jim Sheppard didn't take a breath and take the time to think about any...
For what it's worth, I don't hold Jim in the same regard as another infamous FFL. In all likelihood, Jim is a great guy who made some poor choices. Unfortunately, we're not talking about new Glocks or mailorder ammo - we're talking about a guy who just had his entire life turned upside down and will likely be doing serious time....For what?