Law under fire in gunshop case

Greg Carvell

The father of a gunshop owner who shot a machete-wielding man wants to know why police have not yet charged the injured assailant.

Ray Carvell said police investigating the shooting by his son Greg on Thursday had repeatedly questioned his family but had not yet spoken to the man, named as Ricky Beckham, 29, who is under police guard in hospital.

"[The injured man] is lying in the lap of luxury. He's ruined our lives and he has police protection up there and no one can ask him any questions," Ray Carvell said.

"I'd like to know why he's not being questioned, why he's not been charged with attempted murder.

"And why are we under constant investigation? Are we getting a fair go? No we're not.

"[Police] are running around asking all my staff do we keep guns under the counter. We don't keep guns under the counter," he insisted.

Ray Carvell said police had also interviewed rival gun dealers.

He said son Greg was still "very upset" yesterday and would not talk about the shooting.

Police were not available to comment on the investigation yesterday but have previously said they will be guided by medical experts as to when they can speak to the injured man.

Ray Carvell told the Herald On Sunday the man burst into the family's Penrose gunshop, Small Arms International, and repeatedly shouted, "Give me the guns or I'll kill you", before being shot.

He said the man pulled a machete from his bag, cornering Greg Carvell and co-worker Bruce Motley in the side staff area.

"He was threatening them with their lives.

"He said, 'Give me the guns or I'll kill you'.

"He kept repeating it ... It happened in a matter of seconds. What would you do?"

Ray Carvell said his son then did "the only thing he could do".

He shot the man in the stomach at close range with a handgun.