[headquarters]

Firstly - if anyone of you heard/ read Glenn Beck of Fox News - that guy really enraged me by saying that the youth camp was some weird phenomenon using words like hitlerjugend to describe it. He is by all counts a vulgar,opportunist propagandist agitator as far as I am concerned. All I can say about him is : base. Also some of the coverage in Fox News was disrespectful to say the least. Journalists misrepresented the situation and Norways political stance on global affairs to an extent that can only be seen as intentional or at best unprofessional. This unfair and unbalanced journalism needs to be pointed out to the good folk in the audience. All of you who live over there know what it means when the world press get their crazy talk on in a situation like this.
( Rant over).

AS far as the trial and the penalty - I practice law here and I firmly believe that our system is constantly trying to achieve perfect justice - altough admittedly - no legal system ever will. The defendant will get a fair hearing and his defence is paid for by the state. He may choose whatever lawyer he wants given that that lawyer accepts the assignment. His lawyer in this case is a well known criminal lawyer that has worked major cases in the past. He will have the opportunity to appeal his sentence and any rulings made by the court at every step. Now, he has admitted to actually commiting the heinous acts, but he doesnt accept that he is legally or morally guilty stating that he is in a war like situation and that circumstance forced his hand. there will be a medical examination to decide wether or not he is fit for trial. If he is not deemed insane, he will stand, and given his confession and the evidence he will be convicted. Most likely he will recieve the maximum sentence of 30 years for terrorist related activity / crimes against humanity. If this statute is not applicable ( it might not be) , he will be tried as a common murderer and probably get the maximum penalty that is loosely translated as " Custody". It is our only real means of sentencing someone to actual lifeimprisonment. It means that he is sentenced to remand for 21 years in a high security facility and that his case will be revued by the court after that period of time and every 5 years thereafter to decide wether or not he is still a danger to society.

Gunlaws here are semi strict. All owners must be eligible meaning 18 years of age or 21 for hand guns, and purchase can only be made if you have a hunting license or atleast 6 months membership and 25 training sessions in a registered gun club. The calibers and makes of weapons are restricted
( no .454 or above, and semiauto long guns are only allowed from a list of app. 20 different makes including the AK type Arsenal, rhe Sig, and many AR platforms- the rifle used was most likely a Ruger Mini-14 - this is also allowed under the hunting license). A spec. gun safe is mandatory for all firearms owners. Magazine capacity hasnt been an issue here- So normal cap ( hi-cap) is freely available. There are no open/hidden carry allowances. If you go hunting open carry is allowed. Other transport demands firearms be disassembled and vital part/ammo kept segrated. Carry in public places is prohibited - this also goes for knives by and large.

I see that this will probably change. It is election year and the anti gun lobby will take this to town to get their way. I will not be surprised if it goes the way Britain did after Dunblane.( No privately owned firearms save for a few fowling pieces or deer rifles.) Although I am vehemently opposed to such measures, I cant see it ending in another way - although I retain hope that common sense will prevail. After all - guns dont kill people - people kill people.

As for the response of the police - I am yet undecided. Yes, the spent app. 1 hour 30 minutes before the apprehended the shooter. On the other hand they had to transported from the city to the island as the local police had no resources to tackle such an incident - it is a small rural place after all. Still I dont conclude that they were efficient enough. I need to see an after action report analyzis first.