Pistorius' gun-buying spree

Oscar Pistorius listens to cross questioning during his trial in court in Pretoria. Photo / AP

Oscar Pistorius, the Paralympic champion accused of murdering his girlfriend, paid R48,000 ($5200) for seven firearms including two pump-action shotguns and a semi-automatic rifle in an order that was cancelled after she was shot dead, his trial heard yesterday.

As part of the sale agreement, the athlete was required to fill in forms including a questionnaire about when it was acceptable to use a firearm against an intruder, the court in Pretoria was told.

"You are at home alone in an isolated area far from police or security services," the document begins, before asking if it is acceptable to shoot at two men jumping over your boundary wall; breaking into your house or taking your hi-fi. Pistorius responded "no" to each scenario.

He responded "yes" to the final question: "There is no security gate between you and the burglars. They turn around and both are armed, one with a knife and the other with a firearm. When they advance towards you, can you discharge a firearm towards them because you fear for your life?"

Asked about the legal requirements for using lethal force for private or self-defence, Pistorius wrote: "Attack must be against you, must be unlawful, it must be against a person or persons."

The documents were read as part of the evidence of Sean Patrick Rens, from the Firearms Training Academy in Walkerville, Gauteng, which Pistorius first visited in May 2012. The court also heard how the athlete once went into "combat mode" with his gun after mistaking the noise of a tumble dryer for an intruder. Rens said that Pistorius described how he drew his gun and checked rooms.

Pistorius, 27, says he shot Steenkamp, 29, through a locked bathroom door after mistaking her for an intruder.