Man Prosecuted for Posting a Picture of His Hobby on Facebook

Megalith

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A man was prosecuted for posting a picture of himself on Facebook posing with airsoft equipment: Christopher Turnbull, of Grangemouth, Scotland, was charged with posting pictures and videos that were "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing manner, in that they depicted [Turnbull] in possession of a cache of firearms and explosives."

The 45-year-old was eventually cleared at Falkirk Sheriff Court (magistrates' court) on August 31 – but his pleas for prosecutors and the legal system to see common sense before the trial went unheard. The Register has not seen the images but understands that they featured the defendant wearing black combat gear and posing with his toy airsoft sniper rifle.
 
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So from the description, it could've been seen as more than just what it looked like. Almost to a precursor picture.
 
So from the description, it could've been seen as more than just what it looked like. Almost to a precursor picture.

That's why there's an "investigation" by police. Police talk to the guy and there is no crime, and no charges are filed against the guy and you never hear about this again. If there is a problem and the guys a nutcase, then the police arrest for posting "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing manner."
 
I'm a bit of a so called "liberal" who is ex-military, and I see nothing wrong with posing with airsoft guns. This just sounds like someone trying to control another for no good reason. They can take their control of others and shove it. An it harm none, do what ye will, for goodness sakes.
 
As someone that has an airsoft m249 in my closet along with a few others, this kind of stuff is concerning. There are tons of of posts with pics and vids from the airsoft community. Wondering if this guy was doing something provocative with his stuff.
 
Different groups around the world post stuff on facebook that you wouldn't believe it just doesn't get reported.
Because people from different countries don't give a shit about American Facebook ;)
 
...by the left who claim to champion free speech*

*As long as it doesn't "offend" any person, animal, or thing. If it offends conservatives, who cares?

...but not by the right, right?

*licenses must be challenged and, if appropriate, revoked.
 
While both sides are being idiotic, I'm pretty sure there's only one side I worry about beating me up, torching my car, etc. if I happen to wear the "wrong" t-shirt or hat out in public in some metropolitan areas.
Yep there is the "if you aren't with me then you are against me" mentality. There are neutral parties that do exist but people like to label everyone now-a-days.......
 
That's insane... and what usually starts in the UK eventually makes its way to the US.
 
"Christopher Turnbull, of Grangemouth, Scotland, was charged with a criminal offence for posting the picture, which was seen by a Stuart Brodie of Police Scotland.

The 45-year-old was eventually cleared at Falkirk Sheriff Court (magistrates' court) on August 31..."
Falkirk is Scotland. https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/the-c...-sheriff-court-and-justice-of-the-peace-court

Yes but the original article says that the Judge was going to find him guilty until he learned that the cops had botched the chain of custody on the evidence. So this dude was going to get screwed and others like him in the future likely will be unless the Brits start changing their views on some things.
 
As someone that has an airsoft m249 in my closet along with a few others, this kind of stuff is concerning. There are tons of of posts with pics and vids from the airsoft community. Wondering if this guy was doing something provocative with his stuff.


He may have, but since this happened under UK Law, unless your a citizen of the UK, why would you be concerned ?
 
Both sides are equally ridiculous in this regard.

Yup and BTW, this "left" vs "right", conservative vs liberal crap is exactly the direction our conversations go just before a thread gets locked and someone gets a warning, or worse.

Anyone taking notes ?

P.S. Not pointing fingers at you (y)
 
As someone that has an airsoft m249 in my closet along with a few others, this kind of stuff is concerning. There are tons of of posts with pics and vids from the airsoft community. Wondering if this guy was doing something provocative with his stuff.

I'm guessing the provocative part was him holding a replica "military style assault weapon of death doom and gloom", which also happened to be painted black. It's the black paint, more than anything, that gives these weapons their extra lethality vs the more benign and much less evil wood colored weapons.

But yeah, he was holding it, he put a picture of himself holding it on his Facebook page, then a European person saw it. That's the provocative thing he did, if I had to guess.
 
A man was prosecuted for posting a picture of himself on Facebook posing with airsoft equipment: Christopher Turnbull, of Grangemouth, Scotland, was charged with posting pictures and videos that were "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing manner, in that they depicted [Turnbull] in possession of a cache of firearms and explosives."

The 45-year-old was eventually cleared at Falkirk Sheriff Court (magistrates' court) on August 31 – but his pleas for prosecutors and the legal system to see common sense before the trial went unheard. The Register has not seen the images but understands that they featured the defendant wearing black combat gear and posing with his toy airsoft sniper rifle.
Move to another country and make sure to tell them you won't be paying taxes in their country anymore because they are idiots.
 
...by the left who claim to champion free speech*

*As long as it doesn't "offend" any person, animal, or thing. If it offends conservatives, who cares?

Wow...two whole posts before someone attacks "the left." But this website definitely isn't biased. :p
 
These weren't even real guns; while I concede you could put someone's eye out, that's not even concerning here in the US.

Of course, Known, convicted Felons have been arrested here and thrown in Prison for posting videos of themselves with Real weapons; I consider this a good thing. :)

I would have serious doubts about someone intimidated by fake guns on the internet.

They would really be afraid of "Girls in Bikinis with Machineguns". :)
 
Wow...two whole posts before someone attacks "the left." But this website definitely isn't biased. :p
"The right's" core message now of days is being a whiny snowflake about how persecuted they are by "the left" now of days,
 
Why investigate when we can drag them into jail, maybe shoot them, and force them to go on trial for something that could have been prevented with a few questions from a peace officer.

Po;Ok, got any guns?
Guy;Just air soft and plastic vests.
Po;No I mean real guns!
Guy;Oh no, never touch the stuff

Po; just an adult with with a plastic bb gun, nothing to see here
 
It is like looking into the future here in USA with how much the 1st Amendment is under assault.

The only thing under assault is innocent civilians, chief.

"But mah guns"

Sorry, but better to be fired up than fired on.
 
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While both sides are being idiotic, I'm pretty sure there's only one side I worry about beating me up, torching my car, etc. if I happen to wear the "wrong" t-shirt or hat out in public in some metropolitan areas.

Because the other side is too busy using their cars as weapons?.... Neither side is worse or free from blame, and until we stop just casting the blame on "not my side", things are only going to get worse.
 
Because the other side is too busy using their cars as weapons?.... Neither side is worse or free from blame, and until we stop just casting the blame on "not my side", things are only going to get worse.
One guy does something once, yet I can find hours and hours footage, from event after event where it really is one side lighting crap on fire, beating people up in the streets, throwing bricks through windows, etc.

It also reminds me of the occupy and tea party rallies. Definitely asshats on both sides, but at the tea party rallies years back they'd walk around with trash bags and pick up their garbage. The occupy rallies? It was like they went out of their way to make the place look like a third world country.
 
One guy does something once, yet I can find hours and hours footage, from event after event where it really is one side lighting crap on fire, beating people up in the streets, throwing bricks through windows, etc.

It also reminds me of the occupy and tea party rallies. Definitely asshats on both sides, but at the tea party rallies years back they'd walk around with trash bags and pick up their garbage. The occupy rallies? It was like they went out of their way to make the place look like a third world country.

Since when were there people throwing bricks or rocks at a Tea Party rally? Extreme rarity if it occurred at all.
 
The only thing under assault is innocent civilians, chief.

"But mah guns"

Sorry, but better to be fired up than fired on.

Express those feeling to the guy who broke into your home to rape and murder your family. Maybe he'll understand where you're coming from, apologize, drop a 20 on the table for your trouble, and leave.
 
Why investigate when we can drag them into jail, maybe shoot them, and force them to go on trial for something that could have been prevented with a few questions from a peace officer.

Po;Ok, got any guns?
Guy;Just air soft and plastic vests.
Po;No I mean real guns!
Guy;Oh no, never touch the stuff

Po; just an adult with with a plastic bb gun, nothing to see here

Except it wasn't possession of the toy guns that landed him in hot water, it was how people FELT about seeing him with those toy guns.

Pussification run amok.
 
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