This is messed up.
See, there's this thing called "Strict Liability", it basically means, "I don't care why you did it, it's still illegal". Speeding, for example is a strict liability crime, so Mr Important can't just claim he's in a rush and get away with it.
Anyway, Paul Clarke, found a discarded shotgun and decided he should hand it in to the proper authorities, saying "I thought it was my duty to get [the gun] off the streets". So, instead of recieving a reward, or even a hug and a "well done", he was arrested and chucked in a cell, as possession of a firearm, in the UK, is a "Strict Liability" offense. He even phoned ahead to announce his intention to hand it in, so the police wouldn't gun him down in fear.
The judge hearing the case says, "This is an unusual case, but in law there is no dispute that Mr Clarke has no defence to this charge. The intention of anybody possessing a firearm is irrelevant."
Linky! [http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/news/Ex-soldier-faces-jail-handing-gun/article-1509082-detail/article.html]
So, thoughts, feelings, arguments? Feel free to spew them out below.
See, there's this thing called "Strict Liability", it basically means, "I don't care why you did it, it's still illegal". Speeding, for example is a strict liability crime, so Mr Important can't just claim he's in a rush and get away with it.
Anyway, Paul Clarke, found a discarded shotgun and decided he should hand it in to the proper authorities, saying "I thought it was my duty to get [the gun] off the streets". So, instead of recieving a reward, or even a hug and a "well done", he was arrested and chucked in a cell, as possession of a firearm, in the UK, is a "Strict Liability" offense. He even phoned ahead to announce his intention to hand it in, so the police wouldn't gun him down in fear.
The judge hearing the case says, "This is an unusual case, but in law there is no dispute that Mr Clarke has no defence to this charge. The intention of anybody possessing a firearm is irrelevant."
Linky! [http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/news/Ex-soldier-faces-jail-handing-gun/article-1509082-detail/article.html]
So, thoughts, feelings, arguments? Feel free to spew them out below.