debut: 2/16/17
40,868 runs
T&T 'Shoot first, kill first'- Defence Minister advises gun owners to deal harshly with intruders
Defence Minister Wayne Sturge is advising constituents and citizens that during a home invasion, they can shoot first and “explain yourself after.” He says that provision, among others, will be available under the proposed stand-your-ground legislation the United National Congress Government is seeking to enact. He says another measure would allow a victim to defend themselves against an intruder before they are even physically attacked.
Sturge made the stunning comments during a stand-your-ground consultation at the Sangre Grande Civic Centre on Tuesday.“You don’t have to wait to see what the attacker is going to do. You don’t have to wait to see if he pulls a gun or a cutlass or anything like this. You can, once you honestly believe that you are under attack, or that an attack is about to take place, or is imminent—as they say here—once you believe an attack is imminent, you can strike first. You can strike first and kill first,” Sturge said.
Sturge, who was a criminal defence attorney before his successful run in the April 28 General Election said the proposed legislation differs vastly from existing self-defence laws.The Government has already said the stand-your-ground laws will follow the Florida model. Florida enacted its stand-your-ground laws in 2005.
Sturge said the proposed law gives a homeowner or victim leeway to defend themselves before the attacker even gets to strike the first blow.
‘it’s better to be judged by 12 than carried by six’.
Defence Minister Wayne Sturge is advising constituents and citizens that during a home invasion, they can shoot first and “explain yourself after.” He says that provision, among others, will be available under the proposed stand-your-ground legislation the United National Congress Government is seeking to enact. He says another measure would allow a victim to defend themselves against an intruder before they are even physically attacked.
Sturge made the stunning comments during a stand-your-ground consultation at the Sangre Grande Civic Centre on Tuesday.“You don’t have to wait to see what the attacker is going to do. You don’t have to wait to see if he pulls a gun or a cutlass or anything like this. You can, once you honestly believe that you are under attack, or that an attack is about to take place, or is imminent—as they say here—once you believe an attack is imminent, you can strike first. You can strike first and kill first,” Sturge said.
Sturge, who was a criminal defence attorney before his successful run in the April 28 General Election said the proposed legislation differs vastly from existing self-defence laws.The Government has already said the stand-your-ground laws will follow the Florida model. Florida enacted its stand-your-ground laws in 2005.
Sturge said the proposed law gives a homeowner or victim leeway to defend themselves before the attacker even gets to strike the first blow.
‘it’s better to be judged by 12 than carried by six’.
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