General Chat

In a second they'll be discussing whether the general public should be allowed to carry weapons for self defence. My first thought was yes, but then of course the red tape comes into play into what would be acceptable. I'm not too comfortable with people carrying firearms, (even the police can't do that) but perhaps some sort of personal baton should be allowed. Hmmm.

When I used to go out round town on a night I used to carry hair spray/deodrant to squirt in the face if necessary (of course that's assuming I would be able to get it out of my bag) but actual weapons I have to admit I'm not comfortable with the idea.

shilelaghs would be o.k....

BC what's one of them??? lol

Those Irish stick things that leprecauns have.....lol

The only drawback is that most muggers aren't going to mug/assault someone who looks as if they can defend themselves. I used to work in a charity shop where one of the volunteers kept a baseball bat under the counter in case of 'emergencies' It took me a lot of time to persuade her that she would be the one getting hit with it as anyone could easily overpower an 85 year old who was no more than 4 foot 9 and weighing six stone.

Thanks :0)

A tin of spray oven cleaner is quite effective (so I'm told).

Tail combs are very handy for self defence. Sue

.....as long as you can prove to the old bill.(if you have been stopped and searched) that you have a legitimate reason for having '' It '' on your person, you are ok........... A baseball bat dangling from your belt, might not be acceptable.............say, in a nightclub. Bob

can i choose waht weapon i have

Sue I was once told that If I carried a tail comb around I could be done for carrying an offensive weapon........didn't stop me though! lol

Jeanette. Have carried a tail comb for the last 30yrs. I still carry a tail comb if I have to go out at night time,It's for combing my hair if I get stopped.They have to prove if it was for anything else. Sue

I read somewhere and still do it, that if you are walking alone it is a good idea to have your keys, on a ring, on your hand like a knuckle duster i.e put ring on your strongest finger probably the longest one next to your ring finger, on your strongest hand, with the keys on the outside. If anyone jumps you try to whack them in the face eyes preferably, with the keys on the back of your hand. This also means that if you do have your handbag/briefcase stolen, you still have your keys with you. Take care everyone.

What a great tip, Purple, thank you. As to the firearms/weapon for defence debate, I've always thought that the mere carrying of anything should not be a problem, it's what one does with it that matters. I would have no problem with anyone carrying a firearm - here in the States it's a constitutional right to bear arms and I'm all for that. If only the police carry arms the country is one small step away from being a Police State. However, if one does something destructive with that firearm/weapon that is not in self-defence, then the proverbial book thould be thrown. With rights come responsibilities and all that. As people have said, a tail comb is a tail comb until you use it as something else, anything is a weapon put to a weapon's use.. :-) Felicity

well this is a debate that will go on forever. But what about the yobs that broke into my shed at 5am on a Saturday morning. They were obviously carrying weapons to be able to break the locks on all my gates and shed. Probably some sort of crow bar to lever them off. Well they got away scot free as the alarm went of and they scarpered. But if they had been stopped they could then say that they were carrying a weapon for self defence at 5 am!!!!!!!! A lot of muugers and burglars would use the self defence reason as to why they were carrying tools. Gloria

But Gloria, carrying tools shouldn't be a problem in itself, what about people who need to carry them for work? It's what they do with the tools that is at issue. The fact is that if someone uses tools for an illegal purpose, they are guilty of that crime. We don't stop anyone having a hammer simply becuse they might hit someone over the head with it and kill them, but if they do that they're tried for murder. I just think carrying something for self-defences is similar. :-) Felicity

Carrying tools......... In a van? or car? If you are a 'tradesman' (workman)it should be no problem.however carrying a hammer into woolworths without a good reason might not be appreciated. it ALL depends on circumstances..same with firearms...... You MUST be on the way to, or from, or at a meeting. it Must be secure, ie locked away when not in use, you cant carry it around willy nilly, while shopping for instance. Bob

What happens if everyone goes around 'tooled up' to protect themselves from all the other people who are 'tooled up'? Unless you have a weapon in your hand when someone attacks you, you will probably be unable to use it or get at it quickly enough. If you go around with a weapon in your hand, other people might think you are looking for trouble. And you might be tempted to have a go when all the other person wanted to do was to ask directions! nell

I am happy to rely on my trusty walking stick as a means of defence. I do not, however, need to upgrade it to a swordstick.