We Brits can defend our homes from villains.
Ok,it was with an air rifle but it still counts,yes?

Justice is served

The scumbags think they have ever right to break into where ever they please and take what they want. If this becomes the norm then maybe they will think twice. Shame it was only an air rifle and not a shotgun and get these a holes off the streets.

Bloody cheek to ring the police, unbelievable!

It may have been more effective to club the guy with that toy...

Maybe, but heck, it worked.

I'm sure it left a nasty welt or two.

"I can put an eye out with this!!!" -Chevy Chase

We live in a society where career criminals and trash like Patterson enjoy the same rights as everybody else.

Common sense has prevailed in this case but quite often you can expect to come worse off than the criminal would. Many people are actually afraid of defending themselves because of the what the law might do to them.

I have resigned myself to the fact that I will end up in jail if anyone breaks into my home. I certainly have the means to defend family, self and property.

Bldly good show I say.

+1

It makes me really angry that a person who is being robbed and protects himself, is even remotely afraid of being charged for anything.

A scope on an air rifle?

Oh sure. They make air rifles of all different types and some are very serious investments. They can also put out muzzle velocities on a par with .22 long rifle cartridges. I would not want to get hit by one.

Why not a scope on an air rifle?

Even in the UK (where power is limited) effective vermin hunting requires the use of a scope.

Watch out, air gun sometimes may not be an appropriate response:

Very good! I have been told numerous times, and twice by the police themselves, that I CAN defend myself using reasonable force, suffice to show that I was threatened and feared for my life and the safety of my family at the moment the incident occurred.

Still, what constitutes "reasonable" and "threatened" is up for discussion. The downside to this is if someone comes into your home, takes your entire living room set, telly, fridge, and washer but does not threaten you or your safety, all you can really do is have tea while he burglarises you and hope he doesn't take the kettle before the water boils.

But can you kill an alligator with one? Was watching that TV show about alligator hunting and they shoot them right in the neck just below their head because it severs the spinal chord so kills them instantly. One guy was using a .22 rifle to do it with. I also watched Man Vs Wild kill one using the same method but with a hunting knife. One stab in the right spot and those suckers are dead.

Because a scope is for long range shooting and I didn't think any air rifle would be very powerful at long range, or accurate, so it seemed pointless to me. We all had pellet and BB guns when I was a kid but no scopes.

Depends what you're shooting at...

Air rifles are the preferred tool for controlling farm pests such as rats and feral pigeons and at 40 yards (about max range for a humane kill) you don't want to be shooting over open sights.

Other than that, they make the rifle look good! Since air rifles are the most accessible way into shooting for folks in the UK they will tend to get dressed up. The shooting community here is similar to that in the US in that regard.

If you want a real laugh, I have a moderator (silencer) on mine...

Air rifles were once the preferred tool for killing men. Atleast preferred by those that were heavily out-numbered such as the early explorers of America's west.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pqFyKh-rUI

Cheers

Cool video AD.


Wheels

AD, that is a wonderful video on the Lewis and Clark expedition's air rifle. I had no idea that such a weapon existed.