HC Deb 03 April 1882 vol 268 c536
MR. HEALY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the speech of Major Traill, R.M., as reported in the "Ballenrobe Chronicle," in which that gentleman is reported to have said— I myself have supplied him with revolver and ammunition, and I have taught him how to use them, as I am prepared to do for any one in my district, under similar circumstances, and I now tell him and them that every honest action of his for his own safety is an action of self-defence, for which 27 and 28 Vic. c. 47, s. 7, says, 'No punishment or forfeiture shall be incurred by any person who shall kill another by misfortune or in his own defence, or in any other manner without felony;' and, whether he proposes to draw the attention of the Lord Chancellor of Ireland to the use of such language from the Bench?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

Sir, I believe Major Traill did take the course mentioned, and I entirely approve of his having done so. I believe that something may be done to stop the outrages which are now so constant and so deplorable if men are encouraged to defend themselves and their families. I believe so from what has happened in other countries, and also from the conviction that the men who attempt these outrages are as cowardly as they are bloodthirsty.

MR. HEALY

asked whether, in these circumstances, the right hon. Gentleman would consider the advisability of more generally granting licences to carry arms?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

Sir, before licences are granted we must have some security that those to whom we grant licences will not use the arms for the purpose of breaking law and order. No refusal has been given to any man who wanted arms when it was reasonable to suppose that he wanted to keep them for his own defence. There are some persons to whom it would be unsafe to give arms, because they have not the courage to keep them from the men who go about at night and break into houses in order to get arms. But whenever men have shown courage they have succeeded in keeping their arms. I think Major Traill was perfectly justified in the course he took, and I hope other magistrates will follow his example.