A quick search indicates that these weapons, sometimes used to trap animals, have been illegal in England since 1827.
(SALEM, Ore.) - A Jefferson marijuana grower was arrested by Marion County Sheriff's deputies after they spotted his garden during a burglary investigation.
But it isn't the marijuana that the man was arrested over, his garden was legal. The man, 45-year old John Roger Bauer, was arrested after investigators spotted a "spring gun" in the garden.
Marion County Undersheriff Troy Clausen, said, "The marijuana grow turned out to be a legal medical marijuana grow but upon inspecting the area with the owners consent it was found that a setgun or springgun trip wire had been set by John Roger Bauer Sr."
Wikipedia states that: "A spring-gun is a gun, often a shotgun, rigged to fire when a string or other triggering device is tripped by contact of sufficient force to 'spring' the trigger so that anyone stumbling over or treading on them would discharge it and wound themselves."
Clausen said, "The spring gun, designed to scare away anyone approaching the grow, was disabled by the Oregon State Police bomb squad who were called to the area by Sergeant Shane Burnham."
He says Senior Deputy Shawn Bush had noticed a small fishing line attached to the spring gun which was loaded with a shotgun shell. The shotgun shell had been emptied and the "wad" left inside.
"The suspect, Mr. Bauer, had indicated that the spring gun was not intended to hurt anyone rather to keep people away from the grow."
Clausen says Bauer was arrested for the offense of Setting Springgun or Setgun. He was cited and released from the Marion County Jail.
A quick search indicates that these weapons, sometimes used to trap animals, have been illegal in England since 1827.
Although there have been "few" reported cases, there are a number of unconfirmed cases that occurred during the 20th century.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office would like to remind people that the setting of spring guns is illegal, dangerous, and could be seriously injure or kill someone or law enforcement personnel.
Oregon Marijuana Grower Busted for Spring Gun
Salem-News.com