The British Way, Go All Out To Convict Your Own, While At The Same Time, Be Very Slow To Address The Real Problems?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/619009/Taser-trucker-stun-gun-illegal-immigrants-calais

We see it all the time, our police, our armed forces, and now it seems our truckers.

[Gromit]

The Law:
// A Taser is a weapon capable of discharging an electrical current and is classified as a prohibited firearm. It is therefore an offence to possess, purchase, acquire, manufacture, sell or transfer such a weapon, without lawful authority. Lawful authority is only granted to bodies such as the Police, and would never cover a member of the general public. Tasers should therefore not be used or in the possession of any member of the public. //

He broke the saw, so he must face the consequences.

[jackthehat]

Understandable as it is to want to protect yourself, being in possession of a Taser is an offence.
However, I am glad that Mr Garrett hasn't gone to prison and his case should have gone to court more quickly.

[Mamyalynne]

What is shocking is the length of time this man and his family had this hanging over them.

It should have been confiscated and a caution or fine applied.

My heart goes out to the many truckers facing difficulties to bring us the goods we want and need.

[Canary42]

Knocking "British" again. Some patriot.

[ToraToraTora]

Technically correct gromit but the fact remains that the state is not protecting these people and thus should not be surprised when they protect themselves, they can't have it both ways.

[andy-hughes]

This is nothing to do with convicting 'our own' - ethnicity is not the issue here - nor is any sense of 'patriotism'.

This is a matter of law - the gentleman broke the law, and even though the mitigating circumstances are valid, he still broke the law.

The fault lies in the slow legal process - which is inexcusable.

[Old_Geezer]

The public ought not to carry tasers. But there again neither should authority figures. We don't need anyone thinking using a wired "cattle-prod" on us humans, is ok. Mitigating circumstances should ensure he ought not face a gaol sentence for simple possession though.

[anotheoldgit]

Canary42

/// Knocking "British" again. Some patriot. ///

It is only the true patriots who are concerned at what their beloved country is turning into.

[Gromit]

The Taser is a favourite weapon of protection for drug dealers. Some have been locked away for processing one. Maybe they should have pretended to have been lorry drivers, and they'd have got a slap on the wrist instead of jail.

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// This is a matter of law - the gentleman broke the law, and even though the mitigating circumstances are valid, he still broke the law. ///

Technically yes he did break the law, but the point here is so do all these illegal immigrants, and how many of them are taken through the courts and in turn imprisoned?

[andy-hughes]

AOG - //It is only the true patriots who are concerned at what their beloved country is turning into.//

This not an issue of patriotism, it's an issue about the law - and breaking it.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - //Technically yes he did break the law, but the point here is so do all these illegal immigrants, and how many of them are taken through the courts and in turn imprisoned? //

Apologies -we cross-posted.

I take your point - but the fact that illegal migrants break the law does not mean that a British citizen is able to do so.

Part of the cost of living in a free society with a salary and a home and legal protection is the fact that you are governed by the law - and if you break it, there are consequences.

Two wrongs do not make a right.

[jackthehat]

///Technically yes he did break the law....///

That is the point.

Dealing with the illegal entry to this country of the immigrants is another.

[anotheoldgit]

Old_Geezer

/// The public ought not to carry tasers. But there again neither should authority figures. We don't need anyone thinking using a wired "cattle-prod" on us humans, is
ok. ///

Then what do you suggest OG? There are a lot of violent criminals out there, who don't like the idea of being arrested, better an electric shock than a piece of lead.

[anotheoldgit]

andy-hughes

/// This not an issue of patriotism, it's an issue about the law - and breaking it. ///

Ah over night you have suddenly become a stickler for keeping on track?

If you had bothered to noticed it was no I who brought the subject of patriotism up, but don't let that stop you from having a dig at me.

It is ironic that only yesterday you constantly took me to task for not answering sp1814, yet here today I am answering Canary42, but today that doesn't seem to suit you.

You are so, so fickle Mr Hughes.

[Old_Geezer]

It the situation indicates firearms are needed then it is a special situation and a special armed police squad could be utilised. Otherwise hand to hand combat/control techniques, plus a truncheon when absolutely necessary, is adequate.

A taser is supposed to be a substitute for a firearm, whereas in practice it is all to easy to use it as close-to first resort, just to make life easier. Police are public servants and should treat citizens with respect not disdain, as well as needing to exercise authority over wrongdoers. Tasers erode this relationship turning all us citizens into mere animals to be controlled. The justifications for tasers simply do not wash, and in a number of cases has proved fatal.

[anotheoldgit]

/// Two wrongs do not make a right. ///

There are more than two wrongs here, or should I say wrongdoers? That is the real point of this thread, one lonely British person is not so quickly taken to task, yet thousand of foreign criminals seem to get away scot free, day after day, year after year.

[anotheoldgit]

Old_Geezer

So if you were a policeman you would be prepared to go in close would you.

What if the criminal suddenly drew a knife or more serious a gun, what then, throw your piece of wood at him?