Why Would Sheila Have Used a Gun When She Didn’t Know How to Work One?

[Holly Goodhead]

Given that Bamber had left the rifle near the wellington boots and the magazine on the settle, she also had to associate the two items, attach it and chamber a shot. She would then need to know how to remove the magazine in order to refill it. All this while in a state of psychosis. If we read Feddie's account of her last psychotic episode, she didn't even know when people were, let alone be able to take on performing a novel task.

Freddie also stated the ranting and raving stopped as quickly as it started with periods of calm where SC brushed her hair before the ranting and raving resumed.

[APRIL]

She didn't take formal driving lessons/possess a driving licence but I've no idea what farm machinery she had a go on as a child.

Feasible that with her apparent lack of interest in thing mechanical, she didn't.

[Vertigo Swirl]

Freddie also stated the ranting and raving stopped as quickly as it started with periods of calm where SC brushed her hair before the ranting and raving resumed.

So she was calm when she went on her murder spree, in your view?

[APRIL]

Freddie also stated the ranting and raving stopped as quickly as it started with periods of calm where SC brushed her hair before the ranting and raving resumed.

This, of course, was prior to her admission to hospital, so prior to her being adequately medicated.

[Common sense]

The first, she'd have learned rote fashion. She was doing it on a daily basis. There was a need. I don't recall anyone talking about her interest in guns being such that she practiced at every given opportunity.

I always thought that as the gun was quite new and Sheila had probably not even seen it before, it was quite convenient that Jeremy gave her a demonstration by loading it in front of her!

I also thought it a coincidence that, if she had been looking for a gun, she chose that one too! There were plenty to choose from that she may have been more familiar with. A shotgun would have got the job done, but she picked up the 2.2 and then decided it needed a silencer!

Has JB ever expressed any regret over this btw? .."If only I hadn't left that gun out..." - Most people would feel some responsibility and guilt for their part in a massacre.

[G-Unit]

I don't shoot, but I've shot with a .22 rifle as has anyone who has used the ranges at the fairground in the 1960's.

[APRIL]

I always thought that as the gun was quite new and Sheila had probably not even seen it before, it was quite convenient that Jeremy gave her a demonstration by loading it in front of her!

I also thought it a coincidence that, if she had been looking for a gun, she chose that one too! There were plenty to choose from that she may have been more familiar with. A shotgun would have got the job done, but she picked up the 2.2 and then decided it needed a silencer!

Has JB ever expressed any regret over this btw? .."If only I hadn't left that gun out..." - Most people would feel some responsibility and guilt for their part in a massacre.

I'm not certain of the time-line, but I think said gun had only been purchased the previous November. Sheila didn't visit the farm over Christmas because she was unwell -I suspect she was building up to the breakdown- so quite when she'd have been at the farm and well enough to take instructions on something which held no interest for her, is anyone's guess.

"That" gun was conveniently there, asking to be picked up by anyone in murderous rage.

For most of us, it would have played on our minds for the rest of our lives. I don't know if Jeremy has ever received counselling to try to work through his guilt, regarding it, but to my knowledge, self recrimination hasn't figured large.

[The General]

I always thought that as the gun was quite new and Sheila had probably not even seen it before, it was quite convenient that Jeremy gave her a demonstration by loading it in front of her!

I also thought it a coincidence that, if she had been looking for a gun, she chose that one too! There were plenty to choose from that she may have been more familiar with. A shotgun would have got the job done, but she picked up the 2.2 and then decided it needed a silencer!

Has JB ever expressed any regret over this btw? .."If only I hadn't left that gun out..." - Most people would feel some responsibility and guilt for their part in a massacre.

I wonder why Bamber never pre-loaded two shotguns. The .22 obviously proved effective, but it's not the logical choice. Surely the 'Sheila's gone berserk' narrative stands up with shotguns too?

[barrier]

I wonder why Bamber never pre-loaded two shotguns. The .22 obviously proved effective, but it's not the logical choice. Surely the 'Sheila's gone berserk' narrative stands up with shotguns too?

A twelve bore if not held properly can give a nasty kick,not sure how competent Sheila would have been for the narrative of using one of those.

[Holly Goodhead]

It’s just a ridiculous comparison- if Sheila had a twin buggy she would have had years of experience of using it, may well have struggled with it too for all we know (I used to struggle with the single buggy on occasion, b........ thing) compared to moments to get her head around loading a magazine, fitting it to a lethal weapon and then pointing said lethal weapon at her nearest and dearest and effectively pumping them all full of lead.

I think people in the UK perceive the rifle as complex as to most its infamiliar.  In the US where firearms are everyday items they perceive it differently.

I honestly can't see what is remotely complex about it.  I gave the example of a twin buggy because they are far more complex to operate than the rifle with far more moving parts and much heavier.

What is remotely complex about loading the mag, attaching it to the rifle, pulling back on the lever and then the trigger

https://youtu.be/b6I8lgiagFU

Where is the complexity/skill in preparing the weapon for fire? 

[The General]

A twelve bore if not held properly cab give a nasty kick,not sure how competent Sheila would have been for the narrative of using one of those.

True.

[APRIL]

I think people in the UK perceive the rifle as complex as to most its infamiliar.  In the US where firearms are everyday items they perceive it differently.

I honestly can't see what is remotely complex about it.  I gave the example of a twin buggy because they are far more complex to operate than the rifle with far more moving parts and much heavier.

What is remotely complex about loading the mag, attaching it to the rifle, pulling back on the lever and then the trigger

https://youtu.be/b6I8lgiagFU

Where is the complexity/skill in preparing the weapon for fire?

That's your frame of reference. You have the interest/dexterity/curiosity to attempt and accomplish certain tasks. I imagine Sheila to have been as far removed from you as is chalk from cheese.

[barrier]

I think people in the UK perceive the rifle as complex as to most its infamiliar.  In the US where firearms are everyday items they perceive it differently.

I honestly can't see what is remotely complex about it.  I gave the example of a twin buggy because they are far more complex to operate than the rifle with far more moving parts and much heavier.

What is remotely complex about loading the mag, attaching it to the rifle, pulling back on the lever and then the trigger

https://youtu.be/b6I8lgiagFU

Where is the complexity/skill in preparing the weapon for fire?

While Nevill is fighting for his life,pretty tough I'd venture.

[Holly Goodhead]

That's your frame of reference. You have the interest/dexterity/curiosity to attempt and accomplish certain tasks. I imagine Sheila to have been as far removed from you as is chalk from cheese.

You haven't factored in motivation. 

[Holly Goodhead]

While Nevill is fighting for his life,pretty tough I'd venture.

NB was already near death before the magazine needed refilling.