Harpoons in the news.

[FeebMaster]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/berkshire/3813115.stm

<snip>

That was said to have been sparked by Mr Kirk's alleged warning to the teenager not to vandalise a phone box near his girlfriend's home in Thatcham, Berkshire.

<snip>

Later, Mr Baughan said, the teenager returned with two men and attacked Mr Kirk, who was dressed only in boxer shorts, punching, kicking and stabbing him.

<snip>

Mr Baughan told the court it was "little short of a miracle" that the teenager survived and added: "Although he was injured, Kirk reacted violently and deliberately."

<snip>

His lawyers argue that he was acting in self-defence but the prosecution say that the violence had already stopped and that it was a revenge attack.

<snip>

[alexwcovington]

1. Aye, aye, Captain Kirk!

Thar she blows! The acne-coverrrrred pale white whale!

[FeebMaster]

2. Is this a penis reference cleverly disguised

as a moby dick reference?

[alexwcovington]

4. No...

Just a confused hodge-podge of culture and stereotypical references. You know, like SNL, only funnier.

[FeebMaster]

5. I'm just messing with you.

It had been like 3 and a half minutes since I'd seen a new penis reference. I was starting to feel some withdrawal symptoms.

[T Town Jake]

3. Yep...

...time to round 'em all up and put the evil Harpoon industry out of business, don't ya know? </sarcasm>

...snicker

[Pert_UK]

6. So errr......what?

Harpoons are a legitimate weapon of self-defence?

Harpoons are used in a comparable number of crimes and accidents to guns?

There's a massive harpoon problem in the UK / US?

Oh no, hang on.........this is one of those threads that goes like this, isn't it: "Look! Someone's been assaulted with something other than a gun. If we restrict gun ownership people will just find other ways to hurt each other. Therefore a) guns aren't the problem and b) putting sensible restrictions on their ownership won't do anything to reduce injuries and deaths caused by weapons."

Actually you're right....Since the banning of firearms in the UK the queues outside scuba shops have been astronomical, with legions of people just desperate to get hold of harpoons.....

P.

[LibLabUK]

7. Luckily...

"Actually you're right....Since the banning of firearms in the UK the queues outside scuba shops have been astronomical, with legions of people just desperate to get hold of harpoons...."

The demand is so great that Blue Peter will be demonstrating how to build your own harpoon out of toilet rolls and sticky-back plastic tonight.

*daydreams of Katy Hill kitted out in scuba gear and sticky-back plastic*

[FeebMaster]

8. I was thinking more along the lines of

this being one of those threads where we all say "wow look at the UK where they charge someone who is stabbed and beaten by three guys because he had the nerve to defend himself. Probably won't be long before the guy he harpooned sues him, probably on the government's dime."

"Harpoons are a legitimate weapon of self-defence?"

If they're all you've got lying around, sure. Why not?


"Harpoons are used in a comparable number of crimes and accidents to guns?"

Well, I don't really see that the harpoon was used in a crime, but I guess that's just me. I probably wouldn't have waited to be stabbed to use the harpoon. The problem with that being a harpoon gun is a one shot weapon and there were three guys. The only real defense that harpoon gun offers is the hope that those three guys aren't nuts enough for one of them to get harpooned while the other 2 beat and stab you. Of course, then I'd really be screwed in Court. Does the UK have the death penalty?