Page 1 of Self defence (UK)

With the recent murder of Sarah Everard and the many statements from women, including Priti Patel, of feeling at risk when walking at night or in unknown areas.
Of the many who carry their keys in their hand to use as a weapon isn't it about time to open the debate again as to what should be legal to carry for personal defence. 
I'm thinking particularly about Mace and Pepper sprays.

I'm just starting this debate here and am open to persuasion in either direction but initially I don't quite get the opposition to them.

Snaps

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My new Flash Fiction blog. All my own work
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If they were readily available, a&e would be dealing with loads of accidents from drunk ppl

If readily available then ppl could use them as weapon to rob local shop?

The people doing the muggings, and worse would be more likely to be armed with them.


I remember that Jackass where they used them, really did look very painful.

It's difficult isn't it, anyone should be safe to walk home at night, but aren't.

I'd quote that line about they got guns so we got bigger guns etc, but I'm on my phone.

Would you actually feel any safer with one in your pocket? If attacked you could panic, forget to use it drop it etc. Unfortunately it's best to try and avoid the situations.

I'll try and remember i said that next time I go out( not that I go out much) and am too tight to pay for taxi home.

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This item was edited on Wednesday, 24th March 2021, 06:47

Sadly I just don't think there is an easy answer.

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Si Wooldridge
Reviewer

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Quote:
admars says...
"If they were readily available, a&e would be dealing with loads of accidents from drunk ppl

If readily available then ppl could use them as weapon to rob local shop?

The people doing the muggings, and worse would be more likely to be armed with them."
Sorry but all of those are a bit of a knee jerk reaction and have been used in the same debate for other items once the media decides we need to panic.
Remember the pearl clutching and screams of horror over 'combat knives' a few years back, noticed any reduction in stabbings? 

Just because these items are illegal doesn't mean they aren't around and available just that the kitchen drawer or toolbox offers an easier and much more threatening option.

Providing the penalty for misuse was the same as knives I see no reason why it shouldn't be an option for people to carry for self defence. If significant amounts are already carrying keys clutched in their hands a pepper spray is arguably a better option not requiring any physical force whereas a five foot girl trying to fight off a six foot male with a Yale is more likely to antagonise than temporarily disable.

Quote:
Si Wooldridge says...
"Sadly I just don't think there is an easy answer."
No there definitely isn't but I just think the debate is worth having on an official level.





Snaps

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My new Flash Fiction blog. All my own work
500ish

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I am not young enough to know everything.

I'm not sure how you might word the law, it would be challenging, but I do think non-lethal weapons for self defence is a debate worth having.

It looks like someone has a petition up:
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/577568

I do worry though that this is a distraction from solving the problem in the first place. :/


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Quote:
Snaps says...
"No there definitely isn't but I just think the debate is worth having on an official level."
I agree with that, the debate is worth having.

Might also help stop some of this female equality nonsense about there being no biological differences between the sexes when that is blatantly untrue.

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Si Wooldridge
Reviewer

http://synth.myreviewer.com

Quote:
Robee J Shepherd says...
"I do worry though that this is a distraction from solving the problem in the first place. :/"
There is never going to be one solution though I'd agree it shouldn't distract from some kind of social re-education.

Quote:
Si Wooldridge says...
"Might also help stop some of this female equality nonsense about there being no biological differences between the sexes when that is blatantly untrue.
"
I have avoided the whole gender debate with all it's many angles entirely so far.
I used to follow Graham Linehan (Father Ted) on Twitter until he disappeared so far down that rabbit hole that nothing else ever appeared on his time line.


Snaps

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My new Flash Fiction blog. All my own work
500ish

---

I am not young enough to know everything.

This item was edited on Wednesday, 24th March 2021, 12:52

Quote:
Snaps says...
"Just because these items are illegal doesn't mean they aren't around and available just that the kitchen drawer or toolbox offers an easier and much more threatening option.

Providing the penalty for misuse was the same as knives I see no reason why it shouldn't be an option for people to carry for self defence."
True, some ppl do get weapons from Homebase, or their kitchen cupboard, so I was just putting it forward that this adds to a potential arsenal, if anyone can get them easily, rather than having to know someone who can sort you out. You hear about shootings in USA where a kid got a gun from parent's bedside cabinet.

I think though that stabbing someone is probably harder to do than punching/kicking/spraying in the face.

I wonder if many people do carry rape alarms? No idea if they are effective, or if anyone would come to help if they heard one.

Where do you draw the line, pepper spray ok, what about tazers?

Also, how old do you have to be to own/carry/use one? you wouldn't want them being sold to kids, but at the same time you can see the sense in wanting a 16year old on their own to have one.

it's tricky, having said all that, if pepper spray was available, then maybe I'd be ordering a few, just in case :(

Quote:
Robee J Shepherd says...
"I do worry though that this is a distraction from solving the problem in the first place. :/"
Crime just isn't going to go away though is it, I'm not sure how much is better/worse, or how much we're just more aware of. My elderly neighbour remembers when Brighton beach was closed because of fights between mods and rockers, and the police. He also said his brother used to have razor blades sewn into the collar of his jacket in case anyone grabbed hold of him!


https://admars32.wordpress.com/
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Quote:
Robee J Shepherd says...
"I do worry though that this is a distraction from solving the problem in the first place. :/"
As I've said previously, I'm not convinced you can ever solve this problem.  There will always be men and women (mainly men) who will rape, assault or kill other human beings.

Education by itself is not going to stop that from happening.  Nice idea, but if it were that simple we would have resolved it by now.

I wish it wasn't so, but some people are just wired differently from others and therefore either have those sort of cravings or are shaped by bad experiences, some as simple as an overreaction to rejection or bullying but others far more complex.

Personally I think all we can do is work out as a society (or nation) what we want to do about trying to keep people safe and also what we do with those offenders when caught.

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Si Wooldridge
Reviewer

http://synth.myreviewer.com

Quote:
Snaps says...
"I have avoided the whole gender debate with all it's many angles entirely so far.
I used to follow Graham Linehan (Father Ted) on Twitter until he disappeared so far down that rabbit hole that nothing else ever appeared on his time line."
You may not have a choice in avoiding it shortly...




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Si Wooldridge
Reviewer

http://synth.myreviewer.com