Bruce in West Oz
New member
Our community newspaper, the Wanneroo Times has a "question-and-answer" section, where you can ask our State Commissioner for Police (the head honcho) various questions.
Here's the current one:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
Take steps for protection
Question: A shopkeeper who recently used pepper spray to repel an assault and attempted robbery is said to be facing possible charges of using an unlicensed weapon.
In a climate in which home invasions are scaring the elderly, should they have the right to use a pepper spray without fear of prosecution?
Answer: Through the recent enactment of the Weapons Act 1999, the State Government is committed to safeguarding the public by reducing the number of weapons on the street. Under this act (sic), capsicum spray is categorised as a controlled weapon, and possession of a controlled weapon without lawful excuse is an offence which carries a maximum $4 000 fine or imprisonment for one year.
The Weapons Act does, howver, provide that capsicum spray may be used in lawful defence in circumstances such as the threat or apprehension of physical assault. The onus remains at law on the person to establish that the use of the spray was reasonable. I fully understand the fear in our community -- especially among the elderly -- in the light of such incidents reported in the media.
On the other hand, I am similarly concerned about our citizens carrying weapons for the purpose of self-defence. These countermeasures being adopted by our community could have an adverse effect, in that they would breed more violence. We would then have a situation of increasing the rate of harm, instead of minimising it.
Any individual, to raise his or her own level of security and safety, can adopt many alternative precautions. For example:
• Be aware of their surroundings (??????)
• Install a security system appropraite for personal safety needs
• Have security screens fixed over flyscreens or open window space and security doors positioned at all entry points
• Obtain a personal alarm that can be activated if they feel personally threatened
• Join Neighbourhood Watch
All these steps combine to help deter criminals and assist police to detect and investigate offenders.
Please call the Police Service. It is better to be safe than sorry.[/quote]
OK, now ... why did I bother to post this? A couple of reasons:
1. I want to respond to this piece of cr@p in the strongest possible terms this side of getting arrested, and would appreciate any input you may care to give me. I just can't believe this jerk said these things.
2. I would like the article to serve as a further illustration to my US friends that getting rid of the guns is just the beginning -- it gets worse from there on.
(Note: No, we can't vote this bloke out of office -- he's appointed by the Government and we have no say in it.)
(Note 2: Is it just me, or do others see something contradictory in his very last sentence???)
B
Here's the current one:
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
Take steps for protection
Question: A shopkeeper who recently used pepper spray to repel an assault and attempted robbery is said to be facing possible charges of using an unlicensed weapon.
In a climate in which home invasions are scaring the elderly, should they have the right to use a pepper spray without fear of prosecution?
Answer: Through the recent enactment of the Weapons Act 1999, the State Government is committed to safeguarding the public by reducing the number of weapons on the street. Under this act (sic), capsicum spray is categorised as a controlled weapon, and possession of a controlled weapon without lawful excuse is an offence which carries a maximum $4 000 fine or imprisonment for one year.
The Weapons Act does, howver, provide that capsicum spray may be used in lawful defence in circumstances such as the threat or apprehension of physical assault. The onus remains at law on the person to establish that the use of the spray was reasonable. I fully understand the fear in our community -- especially among the elderly -- in the light of such incidents reported in the media.
On the other hand, I am similarly concerned about our citizens carrying weapons for the purpose of self-defence. These countermeasures being adopted by our community could have an adverse effect, in that they would breed more violence. We would then have a situation of increasing the rate of harm, instead of minimising it.
Any individual, to raise his or her own level of security and safety, can adopt many alternative precautions. For example:
• Be aware of their surroundings (??????)
• Install a security system appropraite for personal safety needs
• Have security screens fixed over flyscreens or open window space and security doors positioned at all entry points
• Obtain a personal alarm that can be activated if they feel personally threatened
• Join Neighbourhood Watch
All these steps combine to help deter criminals and assist police to detect and investigate offenders.
Please call the Police Service. It is better to be safe than sorry.[/quote]
OK, now ... why did I bother to post this? A couple of reasons:
1. I want to respond to this piece of cr@p in the strongest possible terms this side of getting arrested, and would appreciate any input you may care to give me. I just can't believe this jerk said these things.
2. I would like the article to serve as a further illustration to my US friends that getting rid of the guns is just the beginning -- it gets worse from there on.
(Note: No, we can't vote this bloke out of office -- he's appointed by the Government and we have no say in it.)
(Note 2: Is it just me, or do others see something contradictory in his very last sentence???)
B
