Essex Police Remove Guns and Cancel Licences.

[bobbob]

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/1116618 ... ?ref=var_0

[User702]

I agree with the sentiment of removing weapons from those deemed to be a genuine threat to public safety, but I'm not sure how this would hold up to the presumption of innocence.

[meles meles]

Essex Constabulary seem to have operated entirely in accordance with the law, and it's probably better that we read about this type of incident than one where a licensed firearms holder uses his / her firearms irresponsibly after, say, a domestic argument?

[bobbob]

I agree with this statement, "better to take the risk of facing litigation from a gun licence holder, than to leave a gun in the possession of someone who the force doesn’t think should have one anymore".

Sadly the antis will just think that the owners were all potential murderers.

[Chuck]

Let the hysteria and panty wetting begin as this news spreads. :roll: Not saying it was wrong as we don't know the facts but the gutter journalists will have this hyped in no time.

[HALODIN]

If they're violent people they shouldn't have guns... seems perfectly logical to me.

[Gaz]

Well written bit of news, that.

I think the danger here is that the police may well have used their power to seize firearms in order to be seen to be doing the right thing, regardless of the merits of each individual case. I don't agree with the idea that they should be seizing firearms from people not convicted of an offence - how many stories have we read over the years of malicious allegations being made by, for example, vengeful ex-partners?

Cautious optimism. I don't doubt that some poor sods in Essex are now faced with spending five figures on lawyers to regain possession of their lawfully owned property, or giving up altogether and losing several thousand pounds' worth of equipment to the state, without recompense.

On the flip side, perhaps this proactive seizure has prevented some further crimes. It would be nice to hear more details from Essex Police on that score.

[Chuck]

If they're violent people they shouldn't have guns... seems perfectly logical to me.

Not disagreeing Halodin but Gaz makes some good points too.

My point was not what was done but how it will inevitably be hyped into hysterical rhetoric by a few lazy hacks.

[Blackstuff]

Without the full details (which i doubt would be revealed publicly) its all supposition, but if anyone has been the subject of a malicious accusation that the truth will out and the full force of the law will be used against the accuser. (not holding my breath)

Maybe if Central Scotland Police or Thames Valley had bothered to do something like this we'd still have SLR's and pistols tesnews

[Chuck]

Good comment Blackstuff. Thought: how many scrotes have firearms because of good connections, that's how Hamilton got to keep his.