Herd Animals Down Under

Gunshop director to be charged over shooting

"An Auckland gunshop director who shot a machete-wielding intruder threatening to kill him is to face a firearms charge.

Police said today they would charge the man with possessing a firearm without lawful, proper or sufficient purposes.

They did not name him but it was believed to be Greg Carvell, 33, director of the Small Arms International gunshop in Penrose.

Mr Carvell shot Ricky James Beckham in the stomach with a .45 calibre pistol after he allegedly entered his shop on July 27, waved a machete around and threatened to kill Mr Carvell and a staff member.

Beckham was charged with assault with intent to rob and was due this month to appear in a depositions hearing in Auckland District Court .

Carvell was to appear in court next month.

The Herald on Sunday reported yesterday that Carvell's father was angry at the possibility his son would be charged. The news had been rumoured all weekend.

A visibly shocked Ray Carvell, the shop's owner, said: "Once again, the victim gets victimised.

"In my opinion Greg should get a bloody medal but this is justice New Zealand-style."

Beckham was allegedly demanding guns and threatening to kill Carvell and co-worker Bruce Motley with a 3-foot (just under 1 metre) machete when he was shot, at about 10am on July 27.

He has been charged with assault with intent to rob.

Carvell said his son was devastated.

"I'm angry and I'm entitled to be angry. I didn't think they'd be so bloody stupid."

He stressed the family was not "anti-police" and that he had welcomed an investigation into shop procedures immediately following the incident.

But he strongly believed everyone had the right to defend their own life.

"I can tell you right now we will be vigorously defending this because Greg did nothing wrong.

"They are opening a Pandora's Box and they will wish they didn't. I don't care how much money it costs. There will be a public outcry over this - and rightly so."

He said he'd already blown $10,000 defending his son."

Yes, you've read it correctly. An employee shoots a man wielding a machete, and is being charged with possessing a firearm for unlawful purpose. He works in a GUN SHOP. The gun was LEGAL. He was defending his life. What seems to be the problem here?