"Offensive Weapons" in the UK

[LastPoet]

YEEEE-HAWWWW ???

[Something completely different]

I have a right to my person

no, you don't

!

Are you really serious?

I would like to read a explaination of that statement.
More importently I`d like to read your opinion on the Right to self - determination - which if you dont know of, is part of the UN charta and included in every constitution of every democracy which has a constitution.

But what to expect from someone who calls everyone who disagrees with him a nazi, and thinks that there are no human rights issues in Russia.

[jonb]

Part of being civilised is being able to make group agreements, I can't remember which ancient Greek said something on the lines of- the mark of being in a civilised place is being able to go to the market without having to wear a sword. It is one of the things I love about my country that when I get back here after travelling, I am in such a relaxed community that even the police are not often armed.

The need to carry guns about on ones person, to many Brits sounds like an admission of a primitive society.

[The Grand Nudger]

There is no such need. To respond, from an avowed "gun nut" if somebody broke into my house I'd probably just put both hands in the air and say "help yourself asshole" - and I have alot of guns. I'm not about to go firing off rounds in a house full of kids...my walls aren't that thick. I do keep a baseball bat handy though, and I suppose I might take a few swings with that. I sometimes think that the folks for whom the "self protection" thing has real traction haven't thought the scenario through. Either you have a loaded gun in your house (very likely to be shot by your own loaded gun - check the stats) or-as a responsible gun owner- you'd have to fuck with getting the ammo out of the lockbox, taking the trigger locks off your pistol....like I said...you can swing a bat a hell of alot with that amount of time on your hand...and the bat probably wont hit your neighbors toddler.

Now, I've never been robbed, and I leave my door unlocked...so people from some other neighborhood might feel this -need- to protect themselves more than I might....but It's difficult to imagine a situation in which you'd really want to get into a firefight in your home, let alone -need- to.

(I might point a little 20guage at somebody outside on my property...done that a few times..but I rarely load it..lol)

[Autumnlicious]

Good Guy Rhythm -- Owns guns legally, realistically assesses what's needed to fight off hypothetical criminal incursion.

In all honesty, the scenarios where being unexpectedly attacked and having military training as a given often end in death.

Surprise is very powerful -- our armed forces know exactly how much surprise kills, often from bloody first hand experience.

I can think of a hundred distinct scenarios where I can end up the dead man by simply being there.

Walking into a sniper sight, for example, and being the first target.

Guns will fire rounds through walls.

Guns will fire in a direction regardless of if there is a criminal, child or empty space.

A bat can do something similar, but by the nature of it being a melee weapon, the only ones in harms way are within throwing distance and melee distance.

How many cases have our gun advocates heard of some gang-banger doing a drive by shooting and murdering a three year old who just happened to be behind a wall in the ray-trajectory of said bullet?

Is there something wrong with guns?

No, not really.

But they are a very, very powerful tool to do one thing -- cause grievous harm or death.

The reality of the situation between gun ownership, regulation and potential prohibition boils down to weighing public safety, the ease of which one can murder someone else in a fit of rage and the inherent criminal elements that populate our society.

I don't see wholesale Kalashnikovs being traded around in the US or being used commonly in the commission of crimes.

Guess that Assault Weapons Ban is "just stupid".

[Chas]

There is no such need. To respond, from an avowed "gun nut" if somebody broke into my house I'd probably just put both hands in the air and say "help yourself asshole" - and I have alot of guns. I'm not about to go firing off rounds in a house full of kids...my walls aren't that thick. I do keep a baseball bat handy though, and I suppose I might take a few swings with that. I sometimes think that the folks for whom the "self protection" thing has real traction haven't thought the scenario through. Either you have a loaded gun in your house (very likely to be shot by your own loaded gun - check the stats) or-as a responsible gun owner- you'd have to fuck with getting the ammo out of the lockbox, taking the trigger locks off your pistol....like I said...you can swing a bat a hell of alot with that amount of time on your hand...and the bat probably wont hit your neighbors toddler.

Now, I've never been robbed, and I leave my door unlocked...so people from some other neighborhood might feel this -need- to protect themselves more than I might....but It's difficult to imagine a situation in which you'd really want to get into a firefight in your home, let alone -need- to.

(I might point a little 20guage at somebody outside on my property...done that a few times..but I rarely load it..lol)

I suggest you read up on ammunition choices, i.e. frangible bullets.

[Autumnlicious]

Of course. Just change the ammunition and *magic* all the concerns about guns go right away.

---

Read up on frangible bullets, including Glaser safety bullets.

Given what I've read from FBI case files about shootouts (FBI Miami shoot out comes to mind), you need better ammo and powerful weapons, not less powerful ammo or weapons.

Frangibility reduces that (including penetration).

[Cinjin]

Dear Mr. Bassong,

I was dismayed by the position the British government is taking regarding the definition and possession of a defensive weapon. I of course have the right to carry fully loaded firearms capable of piercing 6" of solid oak, but I live in a gun crazy society and I suppose it's apples and oranges.

The actual reason I'm writing you today is to let you know about something called galvanized pipe. Nearly everyone on earth has a reason to carry galvanized pipe with them at any time and for many many different reasons. Now I realize that it's not a police baton, but in the end isn't a police baton just a really fancy painted stick? Cheap, handy, transportable, disposable, replaceable ... there are several bonuses for replacing your old baton with galvanized pipe, but lets remember the best thing about the pipe: it doesn't come with £1000 fine for carrying it in your car.

At any rate, I just wanted to make you aware of this handy non-offensive weapon that can totally beat the jesus out of nearly anything.

Your Concerned American Neighbor,

Cinjin

Everyone plumbs something at some point in life.

Be sure to fully dispose of this email as it may be considered evidence should you make a purchase of photo shown.

[Autumnlicious]

Please enumerate the circumstances you'll be carrying such legitimately (ie without cause or intent to harm another) [a pipe]. I use such as an impromptu breaker bar for tire removal and can demonstrate such at any time.

While you're at it, please enumerate the list of circumstances you will be carrying on of the following without cause or intent to harm another (ie allows for spontaneous defense but not premeditation):
- Police telescoping baton
- Hand gun
- Katana

In all the above, collectors/enthusiasts are known for each weapon type, etc,.

Think about the common dirt of the land, the common folk, people. You know, morons.

Now think about arming them with better weapons.

Sure you want to take your chances?

Sure you want to trust your ignorant next door neighbor not to fire a bunch of rounds in a fit of rage at his wife and not have them tunnel through into your house and hit your three year old?

What about guys buying katanas but not even having any backing to justify they're "collecting" and/or are blade enthusiasts?

Hey, Cinjin, it's all ok.

Nobody buys these things with criminality in mind. ®

[Chas]

Of course. Just change the ammunition and *magic* all the concerns about guns go right away.

---

Read up on frangible bullets, including Glaser safety bullets.

Given what I've read from FBI case files about shootouts (FBI Miami shoot out comes to mind), you need better ammo and powerful weapons, not less powerful ammo or weapons.

Frangibility reduces that (including penetration).

The issue was the safety of discharging a weapon in the home.