Self defense and right to bear arms in UK

Now I'm new here and only really want some opinions and personal experiences

(obviously I want to contribute in other ways to the forum but this is just something I've been wanting to ask)

, now personally I'm quite Libertarian when it comes to self defense laws and think that the UK should have a similar approach as the USA, or at the very least allow citizens to carry non lethal stuff like a pepper spray or a taser.

Where I live in Plymouth I'd say I generally feel safe most of the time, but if I was in some bigger cities I'd definitely want something, which brings me on to my next question, has anyone here felt safer in the UK where they live or more safer back in the states, do our restrictive self defense laws work? or do they leave innocent people more vulnerable? I haven't really got an agenda I'm trying to push, I mean sure I'd carry a mace or something if I was allowed but was just wondering people's views, and its also one of the reason's I'd like to move to America is to get away from some of the restrictive laws, sure I don't mind living here but it does annoy me sometimes that we have to rely so much on others to protect us.

I've lived in various places in the UK both urban and rural and have never felt unsafe.  The only times I have felt unsafe was when I was living in the US but I think that was due to people around me being constantly scared that something was going to happen to them.  I think fear is contagious. 

This is just my experience though and I know crime happens.  I take reasonable precautions and don't worry about it. 

It's hard for me not to come off as biased here because I'm very pro gun-control.

I do feel safer in the UK, and I know part of that is that I now live in a small village rather than a city. However, a big part of it is also knowing that not every idiot Tom, Dick and Harry might be carrying a gun.

It's hard for me not to come off as biased here because I'm very pro gun-control.

I do feel safer in the UK, and I know part of that is that I now live in a small village rather than a city. However, a big part of it is also knowing that not every idiot Tom, Dick and Harry might be carrying a gun.

Ok so you oppose the idea of firearms for self defence, any thoughts on non lethal alternatives? surely you recognize a use for them in a big urban area

I absolutely love not hearing sirens every day and reading about drive by shootings.  I feel much safer in this country.  I don't worry about my teenage grand daughter walking down the street unaccompanied like I did in the US.  I don't live in a village but don't live in a big city either.  I think in the 3 1/2 years I've lived here, I've only heard about 4 or 5 murders, and those were mostly with knives.  

In terms of property safety, I feel much safer in the US (suburban town) than in the UK, where we were burgled more times than I care to remember. In terms of personal safety, I definitely feel more at ease in the UK. The only time I was nervous in Leeds was when the Yorkshire Ripper was on the prowl.

I lived most of my life in the U.S., and was raised around guns.  Guns aren't a big deal to me.  Guns are a tool.  They can be dangerous, and need to be treated with the utmost respect.  But at the end of the day, they're a piece of equipment.  What matters is who's using them, and how.  And I don't think most people have the training and experience to safely handle them in a self-defense situation.

So, even though I think the UK gun ownership laws might be a bit restrictive (not so much in the types of firearms allowed, but simply in terms of the process for getting licensed), I still prefer them to all of the concealed-carry laws being passed right now in the U.S.  Concealed carry scares the sh*t out of me, frankly.

Simply having a gun in a dangerous situation is not helpful if a person hasn't had extensive training, not only in how to fire the gun, but in how to generally assess these situations.  That's why cops and soldiers go through training.  I find it appalling that, for example, Wisconsin's concealed carry law only requires a few hours of training, that there's no accreditation or standard for that training, and that, when you apply for your license, they're not even allowed to ask you for proof that you attended training.  They just have to take your word for it.  

As far as other types of weapons, well... I think there's a lack of common sense somewhere along the way.  I don't think the way to prevent knife crime is to pass so many laws that people have to end up opening packages with their teeth, because they're not allowed to carry so much as a Swiss Army knife.

 I don't think the way to prevent knife crime is to pass so many laws that people have to end up opening packages with their teeth, because they're not allowed to carry so much as a Swiss Army knife.

There is too much blame the inanimate object culture in the UK, sure knives can be dangerous but they're useful tools, and if a bad guy wants to mug someone he isn't going to worry about the damn knife laws

I absolutely love not hearing sirens every day and reading about drive by shootings.  I feel much safer in this country.  I don't worry about my teenage grand daughter walking down the street unaccompanied like I did in the US.  I don't live in a village but don't live in a big city either.  I think in the 3 1/2 years I've lived here, I've only heard about 4 or 5 murders, and those were mostly with knives.  

Interesting, if you don't mind me asking where did you used to live?

Incidentally, you are allowed to carry a Swiss Army Knife with you in the UK.

Incidentally, you are allowed to carry a Swiss Army Knife with you in the UK.

you mean the 3 inch non locking knives?

any thoughts on non lethal alternatives? surely you recognize a use for them in a big urban area

What do you mean by non lethal alternatives?

Also, I'd just like to add that there have been umpteen threads on this topic over the years and they never end happily.

Have you been on here before? You've made just 5 posts and all related to the "right to bear arms" without first introducing yourself.
Firstly we have more stringent gun laws in the UK and a simple look at the stats from both countries will show that makes the UK safer. Any town will have it's bad areas where it's probably not wise to venture, but at least your chances of getting shot are less!
There is no appetite in the UK for people to be allowed to carry guns.

you mean the 3 inch non locking knives?

I mean the Swiss Army multi tool things beloved of teenage boys and campers everywhere.

I've lived in various places in the UK both urban and rural and have never felt unsafe.  The only times I have felt unsafe was when I was living in the US but I think that was due to people around me being constantly scared that something was going to happen to them.  I think fear is contagious. 

This is just my experience though and I know crime happens.  I take reasonable precautions and don't worry about it. 

Ditto for me almost exactly.  I lived in London for over seven years and never felt unsafe.  I frequently had to walk along at night.  I have lived in various sized cities in the US (usually much, much smaller than London) and I would almost never be caught out alone at night.  

I have similarly found the attitudes of others match me.  My friends in London arent concerned about their safety too much but my friends in the US are ultra paranoid.  I definitely act differently between the two as well - for example, if I am out drinking in London (knowing I am travelling home by myself), I don't really change any of my habits.  If I am out drinking in the US (knowing I am travelling home by myself), I will leave my handbag at home except for the one or two cards I need.  I may take off my engagement ring and just leave my wedding ring on, etc.  Frankly, I hate the culture of fear in the US and I hate that it has an influence on me.