[Hoot Gibson]

The UK, whose common law legal system stongly influenced our own system of laws, has been following an absurd path that would have shocked even George Orwell. This latest story from across the pond is an illustration of the absurdity of passing zero-tolerance laws and restricting the ability of judges and juries to exercise common sense in meting out justice.

[INDENT]Ex-soldier faces jail for handing in gun

Thursday, November 12, 2009, 10:30A former soldier who handed a discarded shotgun in to police faces at least five years imprisonment for "doing his duty".

Paul Clarke, 27, was found guilty of possessing a firearm at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday – after finding the gun and handing it personally to police officers on March 20 this year.

The jury took 20 minutes to make its conviction, and Mr Clarke now faces a minimum of five year's imprisonment for handing in the weapon.
In a statement read out in court, Mr Clarke said: "I didn't think for one moment I would be arrested.

"I thought it was my duty to hand it in and get it off the streets."[/INDENT]

Could it happen here? I think so - in fact I think it is all but inevitable that it will happen here. We are on the same slippery slope as the UK but there is still time to stop the slide.

[Old School]

The UK, whose common law legal system stongly influenced our own system of laws, has been following an absurd path that would have shocked even George Orwell. This latest story from across the pond is an illustration of the absurdity of passing zero-tolerance laws and restricting the ability of judges and juries to exercise common sense in meting out justice.
[INDENT]Ex-soldier faces jail for handing in gun

Thursday, November 12, 2009, 10:30A former soldier who handed a discarded shotgun in to police faces at least five years imprisonment for "doing his duty".

Paul Clarke, 27, was found guilty of possessing a firearm at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday – after finding the gun and handing it personally to police officers on March 20 this year.

The jury took 20 minutes to make its conviction, and Mr Clarke now faces a minimum of five year's imprisonment for handing in the weapon.
In a statement read out in court, Mr Clarke said: "I didn't think for one moment I would be arrested.

"I thought it was my duty to hand it in and get it off the streets."
[/INDENT]Could it happen here? I think so - in fact I think it is all but inevitable that it will happen here. We are on the same slippery slope as the UK but there is still time to stop the slide.

This absolutely the craziest thing I've ever heard of. Would they still have arrested him if he had just called the police and said there's a gun in my garden come and get it, after all it was still on his property.

I agree it could happen here, and quicker than most think.

[Hoot Gibson]

This absolutely the craziest thing I've ever heard of. Would they still have arrested him if he had just called the police and said there's a gun in my garden come and get it, after all it was still on his property.

I agree it could happen here, and quicker than most think.

My understanding is that if he had called the police and not touched the gun, he would have been okay. Turning the gun in at the police station cost him five years of freedom - if you can still call living in the UK freedom.

[Wildcatk23]

This is crazy. A man doing what he thought was best costs him 5 years of prison.

[lil dog]

I can see that happening here.....sooner than later, that is just crazy !!!!

[Beetle01]

No doubt it will be that way if liberals have their way.