About tasers...

Sparks

...so we've said, I don't know how many times, that pepper spray and tasers are classed as prohibited weapons under section one of the Act and that having one would be a pretty serious offence. Seen today in the courts news:

http://www.irishlegal.com/8049/and-finally-stunningly-stupid/

Chap buys a torch with a built-in taser, gardai find it, chap gets a five-year prison sentence.

I imagine the full transcript would be instructive reading, but mainly I thought it served to underline the point that the definitions in section one aren't academic...

cavan shooter

In fairness sparks I think there is a hint in the article, and as you say the "mens rae" would be very interesting.

"raided his house and discovered a stun gun disguised as a torch".

Why did the gardai raid his house???..

Sparks

Like I said, I'd love to see the full transcript, but the only charge used to give the sentence was the firearms act one.

Which basically means that's what it's capable of. Which is why the legislation wonks keep looking at section one the same way you'd look at a scorpion you'd suddenly realised you were sharing a shower cubicle with.

Tabnabs

cavan shooter wrote: »

In fairness sparks I think there is a hint in the article, and as you say the "mens rae" would be very interesting.

"raided his house and discovered a stun gun disguised as a torch".

Why did the gardai raid his house???..

This is a UK case, the police raided his house because he was growing cannabis...

Mr Houston argued there was no “clear” policy on the part of the crown regarding how sentencing should proceed under the circumstances, something the solicitor called “disturbing”.

Parliament dictates that firearms offences carry a minimum five year jail term.

Sentencing Turnbull, Sheriff Simon Collins QC said: “The question is whether the crown has taken into consideration all of the relevant circumstances.

“You deliberately acquired the weapon understanding it was unlawful to do so.

“I am obliged to imprison you for five years.”

More info on the trial here:
https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/local/dundee/479288/man-given-five-year-sentence-for-stun-gun/

Sparks

Ah, bloody hell, I just saw the ILN tagline and missed the Dundee part. Gah.

leupold90

The Gardaí are now raiding houses in Dundee?

leupold90

[QUOTE.. Dundee part..[/QUOTE]

Beat me to it : )

Grizzly 45

Sparks wrote: »

Ah, bloody hell, I just saw the ILN tagline and missed the Dundee part. Gah.

It happens... Just to be somewhat pedantic here.A taser and a stun gun are as different as a shotgun and a rifle. A stun gun is mostly a hand held a device with two prongs that deliver a massive voltage charge to incapacitate. A taser actually fires out two barbed darts on micro thin wires up to 30 feet on the LE version to deliver the voltage. Both would come under the 1925 act alright, but the taser doubly so, as it could be classed as a firearm as well due to its propellant usage...Just sayin..

tac foley

Are you permitted to have party poppers in the Republic? Or are they also classed as firearms?

tac

Gravelly

tac foley wrote: »

Are you permitted to have party poppers in the Republic? Or are they also classed as firearms?

tac

As long as you are of good character, can show justifiable reason for requiring that particular type of party popper, and pay the licence fee.

tac foley

Unbelievable.

tac

ezra_

As an aside, mens rea would seem to be satisfied in the case as he had actually used the stun gun element of the torch, and used it to demonstrate that it was a stun gun.

gunny123

So do you need a licence for a cattle prod then ?

Sparks

gunny123 wrote: »

So do you need a licence for a cattle prod then ?

Technically yes.
I've never heard of it being enforced, along with the licence requirements for the toy crossbows in the shops, metal detectors in shops, paintball markers (which are restricted short firearms no less), paslode nailguns, "ordinary" nailguns or any one of a dozen others.