The London Times on the armed citizenry

[unixronin]

In a break of journalistic lockstep, this London Times guest editorial by Richard Munday discusses the armed citizenry as a deterrent both against crime and against terrorism, pointing out the unpopular truth that India's strict gun control failed to prevent the Mumbai attacks just as it has failed to prevent crime and terrorism everywhere else.

Rhetoric about standing firm against terrorists aside, in Britain we have no more legal deterrent to prevent an armed assault than did the people of Mumbai, and individually we would be just as helpless as victims.  The Mumbai massacre could happen in London tomorrow; but probably it could not have happened to Londoners 100 years ago.

In January 1909 two such anarchists, lately come from an attempt to blow up the president of France, tried to commit a robbery in north London, armed with automatic pistols.  Edwardian Londoners, however, shot back – and the anarchists were pursued through the streets by a spontaneous hue-and-cry.  The police, who could not find the key to their own gun cupboard, borrowed at least four pistols from passers-by, while other citizens armed with revolvers and shotguns preferred to use their weapons themselves to bring the assailants down.

Today we are probably more shocked at the idea of so many ordinary Londoners carrying guns in the street than we are at the idea of an armed robbery.  But the world of Conan Doyle’s Dr Watson, pocketing his revolver before he walked the London streets, was real.  The arming of the populace guaranteed rather than disturbed the peace.

Meanwhile, Britain is valiantly making the world safe for Englishmen by prohibiting minors from purchasing ... wait for it ... butter knives.

Comments

[wyrdling.livejournal.com]

because if they make it illegal, people will stop doing it, right?

[wyrdling.livejournal.com]

{(sarcasm)}

[lwj2.livejournal.com]

The Times?

Hell, yes!

I wonder what the New York Times will publish on this, if they do.

I believe Sir Winston Churchill's butler had the right of it when he supposedly said "Three reporters and a gentleman from The Times to see you, sir."

[lebo-superman.livejournal.com]

I've had a life-long fascination with Glastonbury. I would dearly love to live in the area some day - but I'm not even considering England or the UK so long as the law there would try to tell me that I can't accept responsibility for protecting myself and my family/property.

I wonder if they've ever considered the economic impact those laws are having - from a tourism standpoint? I've talked to many people here in the US who have the means to take foreign holidays, and won't go to the UK due to the gun-control laws.

Here in the states, every state that has legalized individual concealed carry has seen a coresponding drop in all major violent crime rates over the following 5 years. Arming the citizens works, because the criminals don't like having to look over their shoulders.