As guns are illegal in the U.K, could i use a paintball gun to defend myself & my family?

Question

If i had a license to use one ofcourse. So if my house was being invaded by 2 thiefs, would it be legal to continuous shoot them in the nuts until they beg for mercy and run away, obviously this is all hypothetically speaking.

Answer 1

In UK if you use a paintball gun in that manner it becomes an offensive weapon. The same with an air rifle or pistol.

A screwdriver is an offensive weapon if it is used as a stabbing knife. So is a table fork.

The law favours the intruder in UK, not the house occupiers.

Intruders have successfully sued for damages after being hit by their victims, turning a case of theft or illegal entry into one of ABH or GBH, which is a greater offence.

The thief gets two weeks for theft and the 'victim' gets two months for GBH and pays damages to the thief.

Who wins?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1398439/10000-damages-for-thief-injured-during-robbery.html . . . .

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/farmer-must-pay-thief-damages-for-injuries-1260415.html . . . .

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1296768/Crook-frogmarched-police-station-THIEF-sign-neck-sues-employer-90-000-humiliated.html . . . . . .

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1075809/No-barbed-wire--hurt-thieves-allotment-holders-told.html . . . . . .

The nice legal way is simply to say in a quiet and non-threatening voice.

"Hallo old bean. Err, take what you like of course. Could I have an address so the Police can come round and pick it all up again? I'd be so pleased."

You are allowed to use reasonable force in self defence in UK. Trouble is, whatever you do is then interpreted by the thief's lawyer as 'unreasonable force'.

How long is a piece of string? There is no definition of what is reasonable force in UK law that actually is free of being interpreted or mis-interpreted any convenient way by the lawyers....or by the Police and the courts.

Even in Canada....home of good manners and "Thank you Sir. You're very kind Sir. Much appreciated Sir" for a simple answer of "That way" and a point of the finger for a guy asking for street directions.

http://overlawyered.com/2007/04/canada-crook-wins-damages-for-injury-during-theft/ . . . .

Good old Britain eh? We are not alone.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

A paintball gun won't deter anyone. And getting it ready will take too long - you can't just have it ready all the time, sitting gassed up with paintballs in it. It'd be smarter to just get a dog and/or an alarm system.



A real gun isn't a great deterrent of theft, either. You'd have to go through training to use one properly, it's not as simple as just pointing and shooting. A gun is designed to kill, and nothing else. If you used one on an intruder, they must be equally armed and you must be prepared to kill them, because a wounded intruder can turn into a victim with a law suit.

Answer 4

There are better things than a paintball gun. I play paintball a lot and therefore the pain of a paintball doesn't stop me. You don't know if an attacker will be the same way. A long blade or something you can use as a club would be better.

Answer 5

In the UK you would need to be very careful (and disciplined) to stay within the law.



1) if you take the paintball gun away from your house, you MUST be able to show a good reason. Carrying for self defence "just in case" would be hard to convince a court as being reasonable.



2) if you use the paintball gun to threaten or intimidate, you are committing a fire arms offence. (Paint ball guns are exempt from most fire arms laws but not this one)



3) if you shoot someone with a paintball gun its assult. If it leaves a bruise (probably will) then thats ABH. Multiple shots, and you will be facing GBH.



my view, is that if you were tackling a thug with a hammer/knife then it's reasonable to reach for your paintball marker, but you cannot threaten them with it in any way, including pointing it at them. If they come at you with a weapon, then shooting may be justified, but expect to defend your actions in court.

Answer 6

It is legal, but...



1) You are not allowed to set traps or lie in wait for intruders.

2) If they ask you to stop, you have to (until they start attacking you again).

3) If they are trying to escape you can't continue to shoot them.

4) Reasonable force (so if it's like 2 10 year olds you'll get in trouble).

5) You have to be able to prove the weapon is not intended for self defence. Aka you have to go paintballing enough to justify owning it. Same applies with baseball bat etc.



Also, you are aware it's perfectly legal to own a semi-automatic air rifle/ pistol (no license required, just have to be 18+) These would work far better, tbh the people you're shooting are probably going to have a knife, and these would be a bit more effective. Just be sure to give them warning before you shoot them.



Hope this helps

Answer 7

I've read about dad's in the UK defending their daughters in their home going to prison, while the attacker goes free. So, self-defense in the UK is illegal. Which is amazing because if I remember right the English Bill of Rights guarantees that right.

Answer 8

Good question as being a New Jersey,resident myself I had no idea paint ball guns are or were illegal,mine you I no B.B.guns are illegal.Probably just lame neighbors who had nothing else to do but complain about you shooting your gun.But if I were you I would check the laws about paint ball laws in New Jersey,before you get in more trouble than you bargained for just to be on the safe side.

Answer 9

Yes you can with this, There is a new projectile called the MB68P.



It is a 5/8th marble thinly coated with rubber to bring it up to size .68 Cal.



If you use these you are not limited to just a nut shot to bring the bad guy to his knee's' .....You want them running for thier lives, you want to protect your family with a paint ball marker then these are the projectiles you want to use.



more ifo here : http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=122792



avalable here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/10-Hand-Crafted-11-16-Round-Rubber-Coated-Marbles-/260638581341



good luck and stay safe

Answer 10

well thats not gonna stop an attacker they are just gonna get pissed off and beat or kill you, please get a real gun for defense.