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Oscar Pistorius trial: Paralympian's firearms test shows athlete knew shooting at unseen target was 'illegal' Oscar Pistorius trial: Paralympian's firearms test shows athlete knew shooting at unseen target was 'illegal'
(35 minutes later)
The answers on Oscar Pistorius’s firearms competency assessment appear to show the athlete knew that firing at an unseen target locked behind a bathroom door was at best extremely reckless, at worst illegal.The answers on Oscar Pistorius’s firearms competency assessment appear to show the athlete knew that firing at an unseen target locked behind a bathroom door was at best extremely reckless, at worst illegal.
On the morning of the third week of his trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, the court heard from Sean Rens, a firearms training and licensing officer at the International Firearm Training Academy.On the morning of the third week of his trial for the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, the court heard from Sean Rens, a firearms training and licensing officer at the International Firearm Training Academy.
Pistorius’s other answers on the exam included, to the question: "You’re at home alone, you see men jump over the wall, it’s late at night - can you shoot?"Pistorius’s other answers on the exam included, to the question: "You’re at home alone, you see men jump over the wall, it’s late at night - can you shoot?"
Pistorius answered no.Pistorius answered no.
He also stated that, before you are entitled to open fire, any attack must be "against you, must be unlawful, it must be against the person."He also stated that, before you are entitled to open fire, any attack must be "against you, must be unlawful, it must be against the person."
Mr Rens told Pretoria's High Court he knew of Pistorius' "great love and enthusiasm" for weapons. He said the athlete had asked him to provide him with a revolver and was seeking to collect other guns.Mr Rens told Pretoria's High Court he knew of Pistorius' "great love and enthusiasm" for weapons. He said the athlete had asked him to provide him with a revolver and was seeking to collect other guns.
He showed the court an invoice for a S&W 500 revolver, an LM6 assault rifle, two shotguns and a 38 Special revolver.He showed the court an invoice for a S&W 500 revolver, an LM6 assault rifle, two shotguns and a 38 Special revolver.
Pistorius cancelled the order the month before he shot Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.Pistorius cancelled the order the month before he shot Ms Steenkamp on Valentine's Day last year.
In a separate incident, he described how Pistorius told him he was alerted by a noise at his Pretoria home and went into "full combat mode" by drawing his gun and checking rooms looking for a possible intruder.In a separate incident, he described how Pistorius told him he was alerted by a noise at his Pretoria home and went into "full combat mode" by drawing his gun and checking rooms looking for a possible intruder.
"He went into what we call 'code red' or combat mode," Mr Rens told the court. "When he came to the source of the noise, it was the laundry or something.""He went into what we call 'code red' or combat mode," Mr Rens told the court. "When he came to the source of the noise, it was the laundry or something."
Pistorius tweeted about the incident in November 2012: "Nothing like getting home to hear the washing machine on and thinking its an intruder to go into full combat recon mode into the pantry!"Pistorius tweeted about the incident in November 2012: "Nothing like getting home to hear the washing machine on and thinking its an intruder to go into full combat recon mode into the pantry!"
His defence counsel, Barry Roux, asked Mr Rens if Pistorius, with his level of training, would have been to fire, from from two or three metres away, through a door at the height where the head and central body would be. The shots in the bathroom door are all only around 90 centimetres from the ground.His defence counsel, Barry Roux, asked Mr Rens if Pistorius, with his level of training, would have been to fire, from from two or three metres away, through a door at the height where the head and central body would be. The shots in the bathroom door are all only around 90 centimetres from the ground.
He answered: "Absolutely, my lady".He answered: "Absolutely, my lady".
Earlier, Pistorius greeted Ms Steenkamp's mother, June Steenkamp, as he walked into court. She nodded and appeared to acknowledge him. Pistorius's sister, Aimee, also approached her, speaking to her for several minutes.
Mrs Steenkamp had spoken of her disappointment after Pistorius failed to "look her in the eye" at the start of his murder trial earlier this month. She had told reporters she was prepared to forgive the athlete despite losing her daughter, but was left shaken after Pistorius ignored her presence.
Pistorius pleaded not guilty of murdering Ms Steenkamp, claiming he shot her in a case of mistaken identity thinking she was an intruder.Pistorius pleaded not guilty of murdering Ms Steenkamp, claiming he shot her in a case of mistaken identity thinking she was an intruder.
Prosecutors argue he intentionally shot and killed  his girlfriend following a domestic dispute. If convicted of murder he will almost certainly receive a life sentence, with a minimum term of 25 years.Prosecutors argue he intentionally shot and killed  his girlfriend following a domestic dispute. If convicted of murder he will almost certainly receive a life sentence, with a minimum term of 25 years.
The case continues.The case continues.