Great-grandfather, 70, uses baseball bat to fight off gun thieves - The Firearms Forum

jack404 · 10-18-2011, 08:28 AM

Granddad fights off theives with baseball bat
Fought with both men for several minutes
"I've got a crook hip but I'm not as sore as they are"

A GREAT-grandfather has told how he used a baseball bat to fight off two thieves who were ransacking his gun cabinet and stole a cache of weapons.

The 70-year-old grandfather-of-10, who has one great-grandchild, told Perthnow he swung his bat at both young men who were smashing into his gun cabinet and attempting to steal his utility at his Alexander Heights home early today.

The fit and feisty grandad, who wanted to be known only as John, said he was struck in the body with the sledgehammer the robbers were using to break into his gun cabinet..

He described how he was awoken just before 5am to find his prized Ford XR6 ute on the driveway with its doors wide open and a man smashing his gun cabinet open with a sledgehammer.

He told Perthnow he fought for several minutes with two young men, both dressed in hoodies, striking both of them with his baseball bat.

During the struggle John said he was hit in the side with the sledgehammer.

"I've got a crook hip but I'm not as sore as they are,'' he said.

"If they came back I wouldn't have any hesitation . . . (to do it again).

"I confronted them because this is my house, and I've got a right to protect my property.

"Had I had a pistol in my hand, I would have used that as well.

"They've got no right to come in here, I would have used anything to stop them, I've got every right to do that.''

John, who lives at the home with his wife, was awoken by loud bangs from his garage just before 5am.

When he went outside to investigate he found the men trying to break into his gun safe and fought with both of them with a baseball bat before they fled in his ute.

As the robbers drove off John smashed the vehicle's windscreen with the baseball bat.

The stolen ute was found a short time later burnt out in nearby Nollamara.

Six guns were stolen including a shotgun and two air rifles.

A description of the thieves has not yet been issued by police.

John also slammed WA’s justice system as a “joke” because he believes violent criminals are getting away far too lightly for their crimes.

“If we do catch these kids . . . if they arrested them now, why, why bother,” John said.

“The judicial system is a joke and we’ve got to do something about it.

“The older people have a right to be protected in their own home, they have a right to be able to live safely and they can’t in this State.”

John said he had been left shaken over this morning’s ordeal but that he and his wife would “get over it.”

He shrugged off suggestions he was a hero for standing up to the two thugs.

“It’s just something you do to protect yourself and your property and I feel we’ve got every right to,” he said.

“I’d do it again now, right now, if they were here.

“I think everybody should have a pistol under their bed and use it.

“Had I had my pistol under the bed I would have used it and bugger the consequences . . . this has got to stop.”

Victims can defend life, property

WA Police Sergeant Graham Clifford said the law did give people the right to defend their lives and property, but it was a grey area.

If the defence went too far and became a form of punishment, people would probably be charged, he told AAP.

``Really what we'd prefer people to do is back off and observe and let us know what's going on and we'll chase them down the track,'' Sgt Clifford said.

The incident comes just days after 89-year-old man Sidney Brady was viciously attacked in his daughter's Dianella home at the weekend.

Mr Brady was attacked by up to four men and was beaten over the head with a steel dumbell, sustaining horrific head injuries.

He remains in a serious condition in hospital after life-saving surgery.

Two men are in custody having been charged over the attack and appeared in court yesterday.

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and thats the news from Australia where its safe because very few folks have guns, but the crooks seem to get em ok ...

carver · 10-18-2011, 08:49 AM

Sad state of affairs when a man can't defend his own property because the law will not allow it! They may some day catch these two guys, but it won't do John any good, his property will still be gone.

10-18-2011, 08:28 AM	#1
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Great-grandfather, 70, uses baseball bat to fight off gun thieves Granddad fights off theives with baseball bat Fought with both men for several minutes "I've got a crook hip but I'm not as sore as they are" A GREAT-grandfather has told how he used a baseball bat to fight off two thieves who were ransacking his gun cabinet and stole a cache of weapons. The 70-year-old grandfather-of-10, who has one great-grandchild, told Perthnow he swung his bat at both young men who were smashing into his gun cabinet and attempting to steal his utility at his Alexander Heights home early today. The fit and feisty grandad, who wanted to be known only as John, said he was struck in the body with the sledgehammer the robbers were using to break into his gun cabinet.. He described how he was awoken just before 5am to find his prized Ford XR6 ute on the driveway with its doors wide open and a man smashing his gun cabinet open with a sledgehammer. He told Perthnow he fought for several minutes with two young men, both dressed in hoodies, striking both of them with his baseball bat. During the struggle John said he was hit in the side with the sledgehammer. "I've got a crook hip but I'm not as sore as they are,'' he said. "If they came back I wouldn't have any hesitation . . . (to do it again). "I confronted them because this is my house, and I've got a right to protect my property. "Had I had a pistol in my hand, I would have used that as well. "They've got no right to come in here, I would have used anything to stop them, I've got every right to do that.'' John, who lives at the home with his wife, was awoken by loud bangs from his garage just before 5am. When he went outside to investigate he found the men trying to break into his gun safe and fought with both of them with a baseball bat before they fled in his ute. As the robbers drove off John smashed the vehicle's windscreen with the baseball bat. The stolen ute was found a short time later burnt out in nearby Nollamara. Six guns were stolen including a shotgun and two air rifles. A description of the thieves has not yet been issued by police. John also slammed WA’s justice system as a “joke” because he believes violent criminals are getting away far too lightly for their crimes. “If we do catch these kids . . . if they arrested them now, why, why bother,” John said. “The judicial system is a joke and we’ve got to do something about it. “The older people have a right to be protected in their own home, they have a right to be able to live safely and they can’t in this State.” John said he had been left shaken over this morning’s ordeal but that he and his wife would “get over it.” He shrugged off suggestions he was a hero for standing up to the two thugs. “It’s just something you do to protect yourself and your property and I feel we’ve got every right to,” he said. “I’d do it again now, right now, if they were here. “I think everybody should have a pistol under their bed and use it. “Had I had my pistol under the bed I would have used it and bugger the consequences . . . this has got to stop.” Victims can defend life, property WA Police Sergeant Graham Clifford said the law did give people the right to defend their lives and property, but it was a grey area. If the defence went too far and became a form of punishment, people would probably be charged, he told AAP. ``Really what we'd prefer people to do is back off and observe and let us know what's going on and we'll chase them down the track,'' Sgt Clifford said. The incident comes just days after 89-year-old man Sidney Brady was viciously attacked in his daughter's Dianella home at the weekend. Mr Brady was attacked by up to four men and was beaten over the head with a steel dumbell, sustaining horrific head injuries. He remains in a serious condition in hospital after life-saving surgery. Two men are in custody having been charged over the attack and appeared in court yesterday. ---------------------------------------------------------------- and thats the news from Australia where its safe because very few folks have guns, but the crooks seem to get em ok ... -->

10-18-2011, 08:49 AM	#2
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,301	Re: Great-grandfather, 70, uses baseball bat to fight off gun thieves Sad state of affairs when a man can't defend his own property because the law will not allow it! They may some day catch these two guys, but it won't do John any good, his property will still be gone. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.