Dad Arrested for Pointing Loaded Gun at Teen Daughter When She Came Out

A relative reportedly told police that due to his religious beliefs, the man was upset at learning his daughter is lesbian.

A father in North Dakota is charged with terrorizing after becoming so upset over her sexual orientation, he allegedly pulled a loaded gun on his daughter and threatened to kill her, Forum News Service reported today.

Karim Bakir, 47, was arraigned in West Fargo, N.D. on Wednesday after he allegedly pointed the gun at his daughter and other family members in the backseat of a car at a gas station there on Sunday, the wire service reported.

Earlier that evening, Bakir had reportedly told the girl, reported to be 16 or 17, that "she was lucky that she's not eighteen because he would have put a bullet in her head," court papers stated. There is no word on whether Bakir was licensed to own and carry the gun.

Family members called police to the gas station. After surrendering his weapon, Bakir told police he didn't really want to harm his daughter and was just upset by the news that she's a lesbian, according to court papers obtained by the wire service.

A relative told police Bakir had become upset over his daughter's sexuality because of his religion, which police believed to be Islam, according to court papers obtained by the wire service.

Coming out in a family with religious parents can be difficult, but there are numerous reports of teens finding acceptance of their sexual orientation, even in families where there is a conflict in religious doctrine. The Christian parents of Drake Wilson, for example, placed an ad in a Houston newspaper to celebrate after their son decided to come out to them.

And many followers of Islam are in fact pro-LGBT. Muslim Samra Habib wanted to challenge ideas about Islamic Muslims and decided to create a photo project showcasing the many she knew. “I wanted to show everyone the creative and brilliant LGBTQ Muslims I identified with the most and would hang out with at art shows, queer dance parties, and Jumu’ah prayer," she said.

Neither Bakir nor his lawyer made comments to the news media after he posted $1,000 bail at his arraignment. His next court date is set for March 30 at Cass County District Court in West Fargo, N.D.