adminPRETORIA. — A gun dealer has told the South African court trying Oscar Pistorius on murder charges that the sports star knew the country’s gun safety laws and what is permissible in dealing with intruders, as prosecutors attempted to show that he was a trigger-happy man with an overzealous interest in firearms.
Before the fatal shooting of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, Pistorius bought an LM6 semi-automatic rifle, a Smith & Wesson Model 500 pistol and several other shotguns and pistols, the gun dealer, Sean Rens, testified yesterday.
To obtain the required ownership licences, Pistorius completed a gun-safety questionnaire, according to Rens, who read out the Paralympic champion’s answers to the court.
One hypothetical question posed in the questionnaire was: “There is no security gate between you and the burglars. They are armed and they advance towards you. Can you discharge your firearm because you fear for your life?”
Pistorius replied, “Yes.”
Asked to then explain the legal requirements that apply to using a privately-owned firearm, Pistorius answered: “Attack must be against you, it must be unlawful, it must be against persons.”
The final question, on the importance of properly identifying the target, Pistorius wrote: “Always know your target and what lies behind.”
Rens’ testimony came on the 11th day of testimony in Pistorius’ trial. Besides accusing him of deliberately murdering Steenkamp at his home in a gated Pretoria housing estate after an argument on Valentine’s Day last year, prosecutors have charged Pistorius with three counts related to the reckless discharge of firearms and illegal possession of ammunition at his home.
If convicted of the murder charge, Pistorius could be sentenced to life in prison.
Pistorius’ lawyers claim he fired four times through a locked bathroom door because he thought an intruder was inside. — Wall Street Journal.
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