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Britain's new political prisoner:

Quote:

A PENSIONER who held an illegal arsenal of more than 100 guns at his home has been jailed for five years.

Retired rail worker William Charles Hughes, 66, had earlier admitted two charges of selling illegal firearms and 13 of possessing illegal guns.

Police found 111 weapons while the Army had to dispose of a deactivated grenade at his home in Gwersyllt, Wrexham.

His barrister told Caernarfon Crown Court "the world was a very different place" when Hughes' interest began.

Hughes also had 24 shotguns and 37 rifles at his house.

He also admitted a charge of possessing ammunition.

Police raided Hughes' house in June and found an arsenal of illegal guns, some of which were hidden in a false water tank in the attic.

One of the 37 handguns found was loaded and there was also a deactivated grenade which an army bomb disposal team was called in to make safe.

Hughes also admitted selling two guns, including a semi automatic pistol to another collector.

Prosecutor Ed Beltrami said Hughes told police that he was a member of a gun club but the illegal weapons did not leave his house.

He added: "He left the firearms around the house because he didn't have enough secure cabinets in which to store them."

Simon Medland, defending Hughes, said his client never had any intention of using the guns and the law had changed since he started collecting, particularly after the Dunblane school shootings in 1996. He added: "This is the first time he's been before the courts.

"When Mr Hughes began his interest in firearms the world was a very different place in its approach to guns."

Some of the guns dated back to the 18th and 19th Centuries and a large number of weapons at the property were held legally, the court heard.

But Judge John Rogers said Hughes had been aware of the change in the law on guns and sentenced him to five years in jail.

He told him: "You, I'm sure, now appreciate the gravity of storing at your home so many prohibited firearms and ammunition."

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100n...ml%3Cbr%20/%3E

Dark day for freedom and democracy.

:thumbsdown:

Re: Britain's new political prisoner:

Well, if someone with that many weapons is that careless with them he should get a significant punishment, perhaps even prison. Five years is a bit much though, even if he will get out in 2,5, I'd imagine community service might have been a better alternative.

Re: Britain's new political prisoner:

That's too bad. They were antiques. He was clearly a collector...

Re: Britain's new political prisoner:

I don't think he has done anything wrong, the whole issue is a farse IMO. If he wants to own that many firearms he should be totally able to, that's his democratic choice.

Re: Britain's new political prisoner:

Not if there are laws against it. :nodding:

Being a collector is one thing. However collectors should not have a use for ammunition.

Re: Britain's new political prisoner:

Funny thing is im going to be a police officer next year and If guns were banned here...well I'd have to break the law. I am a collecter too. :( I couldent give up a piece of history like my 98 or my Garand...

Re: Britain's new political prisoner:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inyri Forge

However collectors should not have a use for ammunition.

I have several rifle shells from WW1. I've no use for them. They can be just as much collectibles as firearms. Well, anything, really, can be a collectible.

Re: Britain's new political prisoner:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inyri Forge (Post 3327305)

Not if there are laws against it. :nodding:

The law itself is wrong, that is what I am saying.

You could make up all sorts of laws and use that logic for justification. For instance if patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time was made illegal, doesn't mean that it's the wrong thing to do, it's just a dumb law.

Quote:

Being a collector is one thing. However collectors should not have a use for ammunition.

How incredibly arbitrary of you.

Re: Britain's new political prisoner:

There's a difference between live ammunition and spent shells. Even I had a rifle shell at one point. You don't need live ammunition for 111 guns unless you're planning for a zombie invasion or something.

Re: Britain's new political prisoner:

How would you like it if I went into your house and starting listing off things you do not "need"?