Firearms expert testifies at Pistorius trial

By: 10 years ago

In this file photo taken Thursday Feb. 14, 2013 a police officer holds a bagged gun that was allegedly used in the shooting of Reeva Steenkamp, the girlfriend of Olympian athlete Oscar Pistorius, at the Boschkop police station east of Pretoria. Ahead of Pistorius’ trial, starting Monday, March 3, 2014, legal experts say Pistorius would still be vulnerable to a homicide conviction even if he is acquitted of murdering Steenkamp. AP

PRETORIA, South Africa — The manager of a South African gun training academy has said at Oscar Pistorius’ murder trial that the athlete had “a great love and enthusiasm” for firearms.

Sean Patrick Rens testified on Monday that he met the double-amputee runner in 2012 and that Pistorius asked him to provide him with a revolver.

Rens is manager of the International Firearm Training Academy in Walkerville town. He says he had many conversations with Pistorius about guns.

Pistorius was charged with premeditated murder after fatally shooting his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, on Feb. 14, 2013. He says he killed her by accident, mistaking her for an intruder in his home. Prosecutors say he killed her after an argument.