Pistorius chose to use firearm - expert
2013-02-14 14:25
Video
2013-02-14 13:25
Watch police spokesperson Denise Beukes speak to the media about the murder charges against Oscar Pistorius outside the country estate where the fatal shooting happened. WATCH
Cape Town - Oscar Pistorius has to take responsibility for
his decision to use a firearm, Martin Hood, spokesperson for the SA Gun Owners’
Association, said on Thursday after the paralympic star allegedly shot and
killed his girlfriend
“Oscar took the decision to use a firearm, not other gun
owners, he must take responsibility,” he told News24.
According to Hood, Pistorius would have to prove that there
was a threat of a lethal nature to claim that he acted out of self defence.
"He would have to prove that he had no option but to
use lethal force and that his response was proportional to the
circumstance," Hood added.
It is believed that the victim was shot four times in the
head and the arm. A 9mm pistol was recovered from the scene.
Gun control debate
The gun control debate was reignited by the shooting. Social
networking site Twitter was abuzz with people offering condolences but many
chose to focus on the place of guns in South African society.
@Serisha_L tweeted “the #Oscar news is terribly sad but, for
me, (it) is yet another reason why people should not keep guns in the home”. On
the other end @Mokhojane tweeted that “...guns don’t kill people, people kill
people”.
The shooting happened in the early hours of Thursday
morning.
Pistorius was taken into police custody and charged with
murder.
“Police will continue the investigation which includes
gathering forensic evidence,” Hood told News24.
“The evidence will be collected and analysed - which cannot
be done at the crime scene”.
