Man hands in firearm to police - gets suspended sentence

[Gaz6002]

Story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/surrey/8421485.stm

Now, do we think this is fair? It sounds to me a lot like the poor guy has been the victim of unfortunate circumstances, although that doesn't explain the wait before handing the gun in.

What would you have done in the same situation?

[Jake]

Seems fair enough to me. For several days he was in possession of a swan-off, he surely didnt think it was legal to do so.

He's only got a suspended sentence, so if he doesnt break the law again he's got nothing to worry about.

[AndyT]

Well stitched if what he said about the female detective is true. Plus, how are his previous convictions relevant?
At the end of the day he handed a weapon in. I didn't think there was a limit to the amnesty for getting weapons off the street.
His conviction will mean others in that situation will now not hand them in.

[Scott M]

I think thats absolutely crap. As is said in the story there should be no obstacles for handing in a weapon, regardless of whether it is your own or whether you found it. This may even jeopardise getting weapons off the street in the future. Sounds like a setup to be honest.

I dare say there are 2 sides to this coin and that the weapon may in fact have been his, regardless he should be allowed to hand it in. If it hasn't been used in a known investigation then that's that.

[Abz]

Originally Posted by AndyT

His conviction will mean others in that situation will now not hand them in.

Very true Andy, how do they expect other members of the public to come forward if they found a firearm?

Imagine me... Asian decedent, didn't shave for a few days & then walk into a police station with a firearm which I found. I can see them arresting me & then searching my house & knocking down all the walls. If I found a gun, I'd just leave it... unless I was on my way to work where I'd be suited & booted so might not "look" so much as a suspect.

Think this fella did not help himself with having the previous conviction's but the end fact is that he was bringing the gun in not getting caught/possession of a firearm so I have no idea how he could be tried him with this 5 year sentence.

[ronttuk]

police are just filth in my opion they just do what they like i hate them

[Scott M]

Originally Posted by ALFI BOY

police are just filth in my opion they just do what they like i hate them

Too general bud, police are just people. Some are wankers, it is the same in every walk of life. The problem is that most wankers like a sense of power, hence why the balance isn't so even with the police. The job tends to attract the wrong sort and they get through the filter using the same facade that the every day working wanker uses when the boss is around. The arrogance of some of the ones I have spoken to has been ridiculous, if you say one wrong thing all you get is threatened. I have also been fortunate to see the other side of the coin though, with a guy just doing his job and trying to keep the peace.

[Pete]

He handed it four days later? Maybe he was just busy. Maybe he didn't want to get caught out in the snow. Or maybe he couldn't find a buyer down the local pub.

I might've let it slide but given you enjoy doing it so much to others....

Originally Posted by Jake

For several days he was in possession of a swan-off

Didn't he realise they were the Queens birds?

[Pete]

Originally Posted by ALFI BOY

police are just filth in my opion they just do what they like i hate them

That's an incredibly well constructed argument and sentence. I'm persuaded by your line of thinking.

[Abz]

Originally Posted by Scott M

Too general bud, police are just people. Some are wankers, it is the same in every walk of life. The problem is that most wankers like a sense of power, hence why the balance isn't so even with the police. The job tends to attract the wrong sort and they get through the filter using the same facade that the every day working wanker uses when the boss is around. The arrogance of some of the ones I have spoken to has been ridiculous, if you say one wrong thing all you get is threatened. I have also been fortunate to see the other side of the coin though, with a guy just doing his job and trying to keep the peace.

I've been stopped & searched enough times to confirm this. My next door neighbour is a police officer, including her boyfriend. You do get 2 completely different types, some which are purely doing their job but doing it in good spirit. The amount of times I've been chatting away with a officer after being searched about cars, some of them very car knowledgeable while others were more seeking knowledge.

Some can be right wankers, though like you mention Scott it is normally due to having a sense of power. Normally if they get too shirty I let them know I am aware of my rights & produce my business card. This changes the situation mostly though it has had a reverse effect. The business card refers to me working for a law firm, though if they looked closely they would realise my title as Technical Analyst (That's right buddy, I work in IT!). Though well aware of my rights as you get into the lawyer mentality once you work for a law firm regardless of job.

[Dave17]

i'm sure there is more to this than just what the BBC has published, sounds like he stitched himself up in interview, sentence seems fair to me on the grounds that you don't keep an item like that in you're possession for any amount of time If you find it, I wouldn't anyway!

[Jake]

Originally Posted by Abz

Very true Andy, how do they expect other members of the public to come forward if they found a firearm?

By not keeping it for several days before handing it in.
The public have nothing to fear if they hand in weapons they find rather than taking them home for a few days first.

Originally Posted by ALFI BOY

police are just filth in my opion they just do what they like i hate them

Wow. You're retarded.

Originally Posted by Pete

Didn't he realise they were the Queens birds?

Swans aren't generally the Queen's, by the way. It's a popular misconception.

[Scott M]

Originally Posted by Dave17

i'm sure there is more to this than just what the BBC has published, sounds like he stitched himself up in interview, sentence seems fair to me on the grounds that you don't keep an item like that in you're possession for any amount of time If you find it, I wouldn't anyway!

So everyone who has been in possesion of a firearm for any more than 4 days should be prosecuted? I think that will take account of just about everyone using the alleged amnesty for the past couple of years.

He felt threatened by the police due to his involvemnt with one of them, and didn't want to go to just any one worrying he would be stitched up. He waits until he can speak to someone he thinks he can trust, which takes 4 days for whatever reason, when he meets with that person he gets stitched up regardless.

I agree that we are probably not seeing the full picture here but based on the facts given in the story there is no way this guy should be getting this on his record.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Jake

Swans aren't generally the Queen's, by the way. It's a popular misconception.

Does that mean I can go and grab one for my Christmas lunch then? Anyone got a shotgun they can lend me?

[Scott M]

Originally Posted by Jake

By not keeping it for several days before handing it in.
The public have nothing to fear if they hand in weapons they find rather than taking them home for a few days first.

According to the amnesty that shouldn't make any difference, it is an amnesty afterall. He had his reasons for not handing it in, fear being the main contributer.

Put yourself in his shoes. You know an officer is ready to screw you where he can, do you run down to the station with a shotgun in hand just hopeing he doesn't try to nail you to the wall? Don't you see the connection between being screwed regardless of an amnesty and the previous heat he has recieved from that particular station?