Australia: Gun owner's invasion fear

[2dogs]

This is pathetic- the guy needs to move to the last remaining (for now- God save us all) free country- the U.S.



http://news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,7454582%5E13569,00.html

Gun owner's invasion fear
By BOB WATT
October 4, 2003

A man kept an illegal pump-action shotgun to protect his family in the event of an invasion, Darwin Magistrates Court heard yesterday.

Prosecutor Sergeant Dave Peach told the court Michael Miles Montgomery said to police: ``I'm a firm believer we will be attacked from the north'' _ referring to Indonesia.

Defence lawyer Ian Read said the shotgun was unserviceable and would need repair by an armourer before it could be used.

``He would need some warning to repel the invaders,'' he said.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Ward said: ``Better leave defence to our defence forces.''

Sgt Peach said Montgomery would not be able to get a licence for a pump-action shotgun because it was a prohibited weapon.

Montgomery, 58, a former crocodile and buffalo shooter, pleaded guilty to possessing a pump-action shotgun he was not licensed to have and possessing an unregistered shotgun.

He pleaded guilty also to having 12-gauge cartridges and .22 ammunition without a licence for the firearms that take that ammunition.

Sgt Peach said Montgomery had a shooter's licence but was refused renewal in 1999 because of a domestic violence order.

When police searched his home on September 6 the dismantled gun was found in an unlocked wardrobe in his 11-year-old son's room.

Mr Read said the gun was part of the way of life of a man who came to the Territory in the 1960s and was a croc and buffalo shooter.

``These days we don't shoot crocs, we just wrestle them,'' Mr Ward said.

The magistrate said a substantial fine was warranted for Montgomery, whose record included a number of firearm offences and possessing explosives.

He fined him $400 with $160 in victim levies and forfeited the shotgun and ammunition.

 

[Mark Tyson]

Indonesia? That's a joke, right? Indonesia is falling apart. There half a dozen seperatist conflicts simmering around the country, not to mention the Islamic wackos kidnapping or blowing up anyone who carries a business card. The army is corrupt, brutal and infiltrated by its enemies. I don't think there'll be an Indonesia in 20 years, much less an Indonesian invasion of Australia.

 

[geekWithA.45]

Remember....

The first busts of any sweeping anti gun legislation will be directed against some person or group that can be easily painted as "anti - social".

After a while, with a number of these making the papers, they will no longer be viewed as newsworthy.

Then they'll go after joe & jane normal.

 

[Headless Thompson Gunner]

...$160 in victim levies...

 

[keederdag]

WOW, I kinda thought that if you were caught with an illegal gun in Australia, you go away for a long time. I'm suprised he got off so light!

 

[Standing Wolf]

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Ward said: ``Better leave defence to our defence forces.''

Better for socialist government, but worse for the subjects.

 

[Deadman]

I'm somewhat surprised by the light sentence as well...

As for -

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Ward said: ``Better leave defence to our defence forces.''

Bwahaha, yeah right all 50,000 of them. Thats Army, Navy and the Air Force combined, including Reserves. The Aus. Army itself only numbers roughly 25,000 on a good day, once again including reserves.
Whether an Indonesian invasion is feasible or not, hypothetically should it occur, them I'd advise every able bodied patriotic Australian to conduct guerilla warfare, because god knows that's what the Defence Force will be doing.

 

[jimpeel]

$160 in victim levies

Just what in the Hell is THAT!? Who were his victims; or is everyone expected to put something in the pot for those who actually commit crimes which actually have real victims? I would bet that in this case, the government feels that they are the true victim and will simply place the proceeds in the general fund.

 

[Triad]

Whether or not Indonesia is falling apart seems irrelevant to me. According to the police he said he fears invasion from the North, the reporter (or possibly the policeman) decided who he was referring to. China could probably do it right now if they chose to. North could refer to a number of places.

 

[fallingblock]

"Our DEFENCE Forces"?.......

Deadman is right....they'll be retreating and using "defence in depth" all the way to the Great Australian Bight"

Indonesia, for those of you who are not aware of the fact, has been one of the largest purchasers of military hardware in Asia for some time now. They have an impressive array of naval forces and a well-armed and partially Australian-trained military


"Indonesia? That's a joke, right?"

Nope...no joke....

"I don't think there'll be an Indonesia in 20 years,..."

It is precisely that fact which makes the situation so dangerous for her neighbors.

 

[2dogs]

fallingblock

Thanks for the "down under" view!

How sad to see your present and, I fear, our future.

 

[fallingblock]

No Worries, 2dogs.....

It is unfortunate that the government planners in Canberra make their assessments based on the most opportunistic scenarios unfolding

Our little Army is so cash-strapped that my former neighbour in Townsville, who was a corporal in an infantry unit, had not fired live ammo from his Steyr for nearly a year! There was no money in the budget at the time for ammo

Most of the ground combat capability has been or is in the process of being shifted to the north of Australia, but there are simply not enough teeth to resist a serious invasion effort.

One of the more interesting aspects of the modern army of the tropical north is "Norforce"...it is a command made up of trained officers and NCO's, with Aboriginal soldiers recruited from the remote communities and outstations across the nearly unpopulated north of Australia. These Aboriginals can track and hunt like no modern European (or Indonesian), and they know their respective countries very well. Not enough of them to stop an army, but certainly maximising the local defence resources

"How sad to see your present and, I fear, our future."

Let's hope not

 

[MeekandMild]

Indonesia? That's a joke, right? Indonesia is falling apart. There half a dozen seperatist conflicts simmering around the country, not to mention the Islamic wackos kidnapping or blowing up anyone who carries a business card. The army is corrupt, brutal and infiltrated by its enemies. I don't think there'll be an Indonesia in 20 years, much less an Indonesian invasion of Australia.

Think Ireland. Think 1848. Think New York City. Multiply by 100,000. Subtract 2000 miles.

 

[fallingblock]

Don't forget to throw in.......

the Islamic fundamentalists who are longing for the opportunities which the demise of a relatively secular Indonesian government will present

 

[hipower22]

Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Ward said: ``Better leave defence to our defence forces.''

I think the magistrate might have said that with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

Deadman is right....they'll be retreating and using "defence in depth" all the way to the Great Australian Bight

fallingblock, they'll have to get past you and then me first.

 

[fallingblock]

dang, hipower22......

Now Deputy Chief Magistrate Michael Ward will be knocking on my door, advising me "not to take defence matters into my own hands"

From the sound of it, he'll suggest that we don't shoot invaders any more, we wrestle them

Where are these magistrates coming from....correspondence law schools?