Posted on 10/30/2006 12:48:22 PM PST by kiriath_jearim
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."
Ooooo...
The Brits, once the rulers of the greatest empire on the planet, have been reduced to a bunch of panty-waist sniveling little weenies.
Whoops! Well it goes on here as well in the US.. For example, I drive a taxi here in NYC...If I am found with a gun on my possesion, whether or not I am driving a taxi, I face one year in jail and my taxi license gets immediately revoked. If I have a license for the gun (which is almost impossible to get) and I am found with that licensed gun on my possesion while driving a taxi, my license still gets immediately revoked.
But the guy who a few years ago put a knife to my neck (cutting it by the way) and took $230 dollars of my money, is still to this day roaming around and in 3 years who knows how many else he has robbed or stabbed. Last year we had one taxi driver who had a knife plunged into his spine, and another who had his throat slashed (and he died). Was it the same guy who robbed me? Who knows, but a nice piece of lead in his brain would have eliminated that particular guy from that possibility. Oh yes, last year I also had a guy point at my head a bag around his fist. Was it a gun he had? Who knows.. I immediately jumped out of the taxi and he took off, but once again I was unable to defend myself. What if he did have a gun and when I jumped out he decided to put some holes into me? All I could do was hide behind a bus.
Coming soon to a country near you...
The guy's a piker. ;)
Were the 111 guns in his house or just in his truck?
LOL.. after finishing my daily walk, I just picked up over 500 rounds of .223, 500 rounds of .22LR and 200 rounds of 9mm... and my parents wonder why I'd never want to live in the UK... duh!
I'm afraid that's not quite true. Saw a shotgun barrel off to 14 inches, spread the news around, and you'll see what I mean.
I saw a picture of the weapons seized. the police were carrying out in plastic bags,...
A reproduction of a Walker Colt.
A reproduction of a Navy Colt.
A reproduction of a single shot Colt/Butler derringer.
A reproduction of a another Colt Army black powder pistol.
Yep. Deadly arsenal.
This is what we can expect here if the socialists ever get into complete power again - they can't wait to get their hands on our guns.
One of the 37 handguns found was loaded...
Welcome to U.S. of A.
The part that says this occurred in England.
OOPS, my bad - this was in Wales, not "England".
It's one of the primary reasons that I believe that we must repeal the 1968 GCA and 1934 NFA here --- we have to reset the gungrabbers' successes while we have the branches of government. If not, then I think that the next Assault Weapons Ban won't have a sunset clause.
I'll bet they could score way more guns by raiding few mosques ... but that would harassment and discrimination based on ethnicity and religion. Can't have that, even if it would save lots of lives of disarmed Brits. Besides it would be dangerous, the Jihadies might shoot 'em, which this old boy was unlikely to do.
There is no such thing in the UK where all this rot took place.
Although there is, or was, this:
An Act Declaring the Rights and Liberties of the Subject and Settling the Succession of the Crown
Whereas the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons assembled at Westminster, lawfully, fully and freely representing all the estates of the people of this realm, did upon the thirteenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty-eight [old style date] present unto their Majesties, then called and known by the names and style of William and Mary, prince and princess of Orange, being present in their proper persons, a certain declaration in writing made by the said Lords and Commons in the words following, viz.:
...
That the subjects which are Protestants may have arms for their defence suitable to their conditions and as allowed by law;
I think the "which are Protestants" was removed, or at least ignored after some time.
But it has all long ago been discarded, although never formally repealed. Of course at first they weaseled around it, and framed the restrictions in terms of not allowing folks arms so that they could not poach the Kings game. Then, just after WW-I, they pretty much abandoned all pretense and started banning guns by type. The NRA had to send them weapons for their Home Guard, to be used against German invaders. Those guns were confiscated after the war, and not returned to those Americans who had loaned them to the Home Guard.
A hearty AMEN to that! The U.K. is a very interesting place but there is no way that I would live there, defenseless among those who might want to harm me, including all the Muslims you have so thoughtfully imported to live among your citizenry.
Yes, yes, British friends amongst us, you wouldn't want me, either. On that we can agree.
***One of the 37 handguns found was loaded... ***
That's why guns and Alcohol should be kept separate!
Sarc.
they've caught the french disease
Your ordeals must have been frightening. My apologies for the late reply. We got a little busy today.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.