doorstaff28
Full Registered User
i highly doubt this!! if he did it in self defence then why the chrage, ? what exactly was he charged with.....?
Never seen "Police, Camera, Action" where the driver gets arrested for having a torch in his car. Have you got a link?see where getting at here?
But your original question was "but what happens if a fight kicked off and they used it to strike with?" so I think you broadly got the answers you asked for.I dont really think that many on this thread know what they are talking about, it would make no difference if i carried a 6 cell maglite or a smaller torch, if part of my job is to search bags, evacuate the premises if the power goes off, and walk home where not every street is greatly lit up, then i can carry any size torch i like....
The only difference between the two torches is one is good for hitting people and pulling your trousers down, and the other is more descrete and fits in your pocket.
There is no provision in our law for "defensive weapon". If it is intended to cause harm, even if that's bruising the arm in a block then it is classed as an offensive weapon. Temporarily dazzling people with the beam isn't counted as harm, so you can do that. You can also use anything that you happen to be carrying for another purpose as a weapon as long as it comes within the level of force that is considered reasonable in the circumstances. So, for instance, we can't carry mace or pepper spray but you could spray someone in the face with deodorant, perfume etc.Why does it have to be an offensive weapon? A 4 or 6 cell Maglite can be used in a defensive manner as well. A couple that comes to mind is to block a blow from the offending party, shine in the eyes to disorientate, or used to creat more distance between you and your attacker.
There is no provision in our law for "defensive weapon". If it is intended to cause harm, even if that's bruising the arm in a block then it is classed as an offensive weapon.
The legislation is intended to stop people carrying weapons about that they might then use as an offensive weapon. It allows the police to prosecute criminals for carrying a weapon before they have actually used it.A) This is so foreign to me.
B) If an attacker bruises his arm whilst attacking me how is it an offensive weapon? And if he injures himself by his own hand how am I responsible?
C) Is a torch not just a tool first and a weapon of opportunity second? It's job is intended to illuminate not cause harm.
A) This is so foreign to me.
B) If an attacker bruises his arm whilst attacking me how is it an offensive weapon? And if he injures himself by his own hand how am I responsible?
C) Is a torch not just a tool first and a weapon of opportunity second? It's job is intended to illuminate not cause harm.
On the other hand if you're partial to the odd mint and you carry a tube of mints and use that like a kubotan in self-defence then the police would find it very difficult to prove that you carried it with intent to use as a weapon. Likewise if you have a sensible sized torch at night or when your duties might need you to go somewhere dark, there is no problem using that to defend yourself.
Not trying to be argumentative so please forgive. Whose the one in charge of deciding what's a weapon, when, and how? I mean it's a dang flashlight for christs sakes. I imagine that 3-4 out of 10 cars that I do traffic stops on have some sort of 4-6 cell flashlight in it. I don't even think twice about it unless it's in their hand. It's a flashlight. ANYTHING can be used as a weapon, even a tube of mints. So the question is....if people start using a tube of mints as weapons then will you have to justify having mints on your person? See where I'm going with this? It's so micro managed it's not even funny.
Read a story a few months ago where a chef was not allowed to buy more than two limes at a time. Why? because apparently it's believed that the citric acid in the rhine will be used as a weapon! C'mon. If that's the case why sell limes at all? That's how ludicrous it seems to me.
Pyrene...so because someone carries that sized flashlight it is assumed to be a weapon therefore a liability? The UK now governs assumed thoughts and intentions of people?
Had a young Brit lad over here for a year involved in a police K9 business. It really blew my mind watching his expressions and gasps of surprise when we were out and about doing business. There was a knife display at a local hardware store. I thought he was going to pass out. He asked if they were legal and could he buy one. Of course the answer was yes. I mean, they are knives...tools. He couldn't get his money out fast enough. For a week he was paranoid of getting caught by the police. He finally calmed down when he realized he was doing nothing wrong or illegal. Now, 75 years ago you could buy guns through mail order and in hardware stores but not anymore. Slowly things have changed. Even back then school boys would bring their rifles and shotguns to school because they would hunt after school. What a great time they must have had.
I really do understand what the govt is trying to do there, I really do. My only issue is that when you try to 100% protect people from themselves, or others your freedom suffers. That's all I'm saying. I imagine if I went to live in the UK I'd be in the pokey within a week
We have lots of people who take walks carrying "walking sticks". Everyone knows why they carry it, protection against criminals and aggressive dogs. No crime is committed unless used in a criminal way. Those people don't have to justify to anyone, including the police, why they have it on them. It's a stick. For me to tell them they can't carry it, or arrest them for having it, goes completely against what we believe in here. Amazing the differences, and mentalities between the two countries.
The original question was about a bouncer using a big torch in a fight. I would again imagine there is not much difference in the way any complaint is dealt with in our two countries, it would depend on the severity of the fight. If used in self defence there would be no problem but to beat the crap out of some incapable drunk there probably would be a case to answer.