Hey Bill, where are you when I need you? I need an extra prayer please :(

I'm working on it Phil! :)

Clearly Bill ;-)I've never either received, nor seen anyone else receive, the level of Police input to such a 'trivial' crime.Still, I'm not complaining :(

Phil,I have an nvidia 8800GT 512 Mb card from another system. It is yours if you would like it, PM me your address and I will ship it out today.

Edited January 23, 201214 yr by BAW435

I believe you need a license for any type of firearm here in the UK. I don't think that's a bad thing.

I wonder how many of the armed criminals have applied for a license before using a gun in a crime. Oops, can't rob that guy's house until I get my handgun license. It's definetly not a bad thing for the armed criminals. It gives them a safe work environment. I guess it depends how tough the license requirements are for the law abiding citizen that makes it either a good or bad thing.

My "something heavy" is a 9mm Glock 26. I understand (correct me if I'm wrong), the British government has taken away your right to own a handgun to protect your home and family. Can you still own a rifle or shotgun for protection?Here in Pennsylvania, we recently upgraded our Castle Doctrine law. One of the provisions is that if someone breaks into your home ,it is assumed they are there to do you harm and deadly force is justified.

American cowboys and their stupid right to bear arms, sheech!I can see their right to bare arms though, after all many parts of the USA are warm most of the time. They need the right to roll up their sleeves.In Canada that makes no sense at all. Much to cold for bare arms almost any time of the year here, besides even when it is warmer, long sleeves help keep the mosquitoes from biting.Yankees are not allowed to bear arms in Canada, far too dangerous!

Edited January 23, 201214 yr by SpiritFlyer

And these days you can claim the cost of the gun back as a business expense - http://www.telegraph...le-expense.html

Phil,I have an nvidia 8800GT 512 Mb card from another system. It is yours if you would like it, PM me your address and I will ship it out today.

Robert, very many thanks for the kind offer. I'm currently up and running with a system that's on loan until I can get properly sorted. Oddly enough, it has in it an 8800 card, an Asus I think, but haven't properly checked yet. For the moment, until I know what VISA will do, let's hold off, especially considering overseas postage. Please don't think me ungrateful though. Far from it.So far, this new FSX install is doing quite well, though it doesn't look like my NGX will get too many outings just yet.Thanks to some brilliant developers, IRIS Simulations topping the list by far, and some wonderful folk here, I've been able to quickly get some aircraft back in the virtual skies.All things considered, with what my wife and I have been through over the last couple of days, I'm actually feeling very positive and extremely grateful.Way-to-go FS Community!!

Glad to hear things are shaping up a little my friend.

All things considered, with what my wife and I have been through over the last couple of days, I'm actually feeling very positive and extremely grateful.

This is the best news we can hear from you, Phil. Makes us feel a few degrees better that things are on the up rather than down..

Phil, I wish your dog would've bit the douchebags who robbed you instead of the detective sergeant. If you get a paypal set-up I too will send a few pounds or so.This situation reminds me of the movie hot fuzz. Small English village, detective-sergeants, and some hoodlums.

Robert, very many thanks for the kind offer. I'm currently up and running with a system that's on loan until I can get properly sorted. Oddly enough, it has in it an 8800 card, an Asus I think, but haven't properly checked yet. For the moment, until I know what VISA will do, let's hold off, especially considering overseas postage. Please don't think me ungrateful though. Far from it.

No worries Phil, postage is negligible and would not be an issue. I will keep my fingers crossed that your credit card company will come through for you in the end. One thing to consider would be for you to have the the local constabulary organize a meeting then all of you in your community can get together and sort out what should be reported to police so that this kind of crime can be averted in the future.Best of luck.

I wonder how many of the armed criminals have applied for a license before using a gun in a crime. Oops, can't rob that guy's house until I get my handgun license. It's definetly not a bad thing for the armed criminals. It gives them a safe work environment. I guess it depends how tough the license requirements are for the law abiding citizen that makes it either a good or bad thing.

Well now we're going a bit further down the line assuming that the criminal has a firearm. We don't have much gun crime here - yes criminals can get hold of them if they really want to but it's in the minority. The problem is if every homeowner is armed then a criminal will need to arm themselves by default - they don't give a toss, they're going to do the crime anyway. And so you have both sides heavily armed, which is a real recipe for trouble.

Major update:I know most will be bored with this by now (sh** I know I am), but this will probably amuse one or two for sure...It would seem our travelling thieves are none too bright; they left more than just one calling card. Not only did at least one person obviously NOT wear gloves of any kind, but that person also has a previous criminal record!! Voila! I'm told that his prints were left on no less than FOUR different surfaces. IQ of errr.....?Three people were arrested this morning, two of which (having no fixed abode) are still in custody :( (or were as at 14:00hrs). Among other charges that I'm not privy to, they were charged with various breaking and entering offenses at numerous premises, as well as mine.I understand the Police have seized quite a lot of stuff, but so far the only item confirmed as being ours, is my wife's Dell 630 laptop.This is all a bit 'deja vu' from our last robbery, although then, almost all our items were recovered (that was my FS9 PC then).Although I'm saddened not to get our stuff back, I'm feeling much better about the whole thing. I still don't know who they are yet, but I know a man, who knows a man, who does... :(Be a while before I hear anything from VISA re insurance, I'm sure.

Keep your chin up Dougal. Justice shall come to the offenders. The main thing is that no-one is hurt and you can live to speak of it, There are some burglaries that don't go too well. I will keep you and you family in my prayers and my the hooligans pay the price in time to come.