Anyone heard of Tony Martin of Emneth, Norfolk, England?

[jaykellogg]

Recently I got an email titled "The Shotgun" about a fellow in England named Tony Martin who had an unregistered shotgun (in England) and used it to shoot an intruder. According to the email he was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. Apparently that part is true, later his conviction was reduced to manslaughter and he served 3 years in prison and was refused parole on the fear that he "still felt his action was justified". He was released on good behavior (not parole). The surviving thief was given legal aid money to sue Tony Martin, but his case was thrown into doubt when pictures of him bicycling and climbing with little effort were distributed.

The email concludes by warning that except for the second amendment this could happen here (in the USA) and warning of the Obama administration's desire to ban guns here. IMO, the current administration is no friend of the 2nd amendment, but they have not (yet) announced their intent to ban guns. Still they have done some very troubling things re. firearms ownership.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Martin_(farmer)

Above is a wikipedia article on Tony Martin.

In Great Britain if you are large, strong and healthy you are golden. The law does not allow for a person to use a weapon to even things out. If you are attacked and you reach down and pick up a rock to defend yourself you can and will be charged with using an offensive weapon. IMO, this is not "civilization" it is idiocy.

BTW, in my opinion we weren't given the 2nd amendment for self defense, The true purpose was to prevent the overthrow of the government.

 

[H Richard]

I spent a couple years in Norfolk county England back in the 60's while in the USAF. One primary difference between England and America is in England you are "Presumed guilty until proven innocent". In America you are "Presumed Innocent until proven Guilty". Only way to own a gun "legally" in England is to apply to the police for permission to buy the gun, and in order to do you must be a member of a gun club for at least 6 months, you must show proof of attendance at the gun club. the gun must be kept at the gun club, and a written record of all rounds shot must be maintained, and the ammunition log must be approved by the police every year and you must certify how many rounds of ammunition you will buy. When that is used up, you are not allowed to buy any more ammo until the next year. You must obtain permission to remove your gun from the gun club in order to travel with it to a competition. Landowners are permitted to keep some guns, shotguns and some rifles at home, and to hunt on their land. In England it is not a "right" to own a gun, but a privilege.

 

[IndianaDave]

Illustrates the difference betwen "subject" and "citizen". I'll take citizen.

 

[jaykellogg]

The British Olympic shooters have to travel out of the country to practice.

As I said, if you are healthy, and strong, you are golden. Otherwise you are prey to those that are.

Everything I am reading about Australia's new gun ban indicates that violent crime is up there dramatically.