An off topic rant.

And Nope, it’s not Brexit!

Over the weekend, we heard the news of a PC Andrew Harper being killed in the line of duty. Not just killed, Murdered. A group of ten individuals have been arrested aged between 13 and 30 years old.

And it’s really bothered me. As In I am genuinely upset by it. Please take a moment to think about his widow and family.

Only a week before, another officer in the Met took a machete to the head, and then subsequently, heroically tasered the idiot. Luckily the second police officer survived his attack.

These are only two of a spate of violent attacks on police officers which have taken place over the last few weeks.

Let it be known, that I am a proud supporter of our police, who, on a daily basis put themselves in harms way by facing the mongs of society. Underfunded, understaffed and overworked, they do so in a professional manner.

Many of my clients are in fact serving police officers, and if I haven’t ever the told them personally, here it is in writing! Thank you.

I haven’t even got to my rant yet.

Police, I think we can all agree, are probably the best trained people in our country to deal with idiots trying to disrupt our peaceful life.

They have specialist people and equipment to deal with all manner of things, from personal protective gear to firearms and tasers.

The list goes on and yet, still these sickening things happen to them. So here goes.

What happens if a machete weirding lunatic approached YOU in the street? What would you do? Run? Stand your ground and summon your inner Chuck Norris?

I think all of us have a romanticised vision of what we’d do.

It’s like the “zombie apocalypse” thing. We all imagine we’re Rick Grimes, but secretly we all know that that we’d be chowing on your dads leg within 24 hours.

We’re basically screwed.

Under U.K. law, we have an inherent right to self defence, and therefore, defence of human life. Meaning that if your life or the life of another person (no, not your labradoodle) is is imminent danger, you can use NECESSARY force to protect human life. You’re also legally bound to use no more force than absolutely necessary.

So, ok that’s fine. It’s also pretty reasonable. You can take reasonable action necessary to protect someone. Fine.

With what?

Think! Quick!

Traffic cone?! No not pointy enough, too cumbersome.

Ham sandwich?! Too squishy......

Tin of 39p energy drink? Half empty...

Urgggh I’m dead.

I’m not trying to make light of this, rather make a point.

We as British citizens cannot actually take steps to reasonably defend ourselves. The law contradicts itself.

You can use reasonable force to protect yourself, but you can’t legally carry anything to protect yourself with.

Honestly, it baffles me.

After Dunblane in 1996 happened, the U.K. government outright banned the sale, ownership and use of handguns in the uk. Even the British Olympic Pistol team have to train abroad!

Prior to that in 1988, the same happened for semi automatic and automatic weapons.

Indeed, I will not sit here and tell you that those government decisions were a mistake. Those poor families. No one should have to go through that.

Similarly, carrying a knife, a taser, a baton, brass knuckles or indeed anything that can be construed as a weapon will also land you in jail.

So what I will sit here and tell you, is that whilst those decisions weren’t a mistake, the biggest mistake was not reviewing the matter.

Gun crime! Scary stuff. If you’re in America especially, it’s a big deal. Active shooters always seem to be in the news.

In the U.K. gun crime still happens, but it’s not fashionable to the press. At the moment it’s knife crime.

So in the knife community, we refer to a legal knife as an EDC. An every day carry. In the U.K., and EDC knife has to be a folding, non locking blade, with a cutting edge less than 3 inches (7.62cm). BUT, it can not be used as a weapon. Even in self defence. Which is fine. To me, a knife is a tool, not a weapon. AND, you can still be nicked for carrying a bladed or pointed article even if it meets that criteria.

My big problem with the whole thing is that you can ban guns, knives, toasters or whatever the latest craze may be. But the law makers seem to forget a few things.

1. People are horrible twats! - humans have been killing each other since the dawn of time. Just because we have vegan toothbrushes and avocado toilet paper, doesn’t mean people will stop.

2. If you ban guns, knives or toasters etc, only good guys surrender them.

If you’re a wannabe gangsta, chances are you aren’t attending a knife amnesty to hand in your Nan’s stolen kitchen knife or great uncle Bob’s “lost” trophy Lüger from WW2.

3. Banning any type of weapon is irrelevant, most knife crime is carried out using a cheap crappy kitchen knife, because you can buy them literally anywhere and throw them away If need be. Chances are, if you’re gonna get stabbed, it’s not gonna be with Rambos Bowie knife, or even a small fighting knife, it’ll be a £2.99 kitchen knife from B&M, which will probably leave you with a larger, more gaping wound.

4. If you take everything away, only the people that don’t care about the law are left carrying them. And when you ban things entirely, people will start using sharpened coconuts, or something else equally ridiculous like battery acid.

Things get banned because politicians have to show that they are doing something.

We live in a soft society in a horrible world and that’s not a good conversation.

What about harsher punishments for perpetrator?

In this day and age with the technology we have, a crime can be proven to have actually be carried out.

Would a death sentence be such a bad thing? Oh but we can’t do that can we?! We‘re a progressive society. Yep! And it’s that attitude that allows scumbags to roam around freely, committing any crime they like.

Instead? Even serial killers will carry on living at the expense of the taxpayer.

Why? Because politicians are too soft, and the tree huggers might get upset.

These people forget one thing...

“People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” - George Orwell, also quoted by Sir Winston chirchill.

I, for one, would never use one of my knives to commit a crime, because it’s mine, it cost a considerable amount of money and I won’t have some junior evidence handler drop it and ruin its edge.

But in defence of my home or my family?! No question. If it’s handy, and you’re threatening me or my family, you’re getting the pointy end mate!

Home invasions are a controversial topic here in the U.K. too!

In England and Wales, anyone can use "reasonable" force to protect themselves or others, or to carry out an arrest or to prevent crime. Householders are protected from prosecution as long as they act "honestly and instinctively" in the heat of the moment.

Seems ambiguous to me.

I just find the whole thing absurd.

Because I’m down with the kids, I watch a fair bit of YouTube. One Particular channel I frequent is the Warrior Poet Society. John is an American dude, and it’s pretty weapons heavy in places but overall entertaining, educational and an all round good watch.

I have to say, I find myself leaning towards a lot of John’s philosophies. If you want to stop bad people committing crime, allow good people to arm themselves accordingly, then the bad people will have to think twice.

I’m well aware that it’s a controversial view, and that there are nuanced arguments for and against allowing the general public to protect themselves.

I’m not advocating that every man woman and child should be armed to the teeth, I’m not even telling you that i think people should necessarily be allowed to have the things that are already banned by law, but with diminishing police numbers, especially in rural areas, wannabe gangster based crime on the rise, in my opinion at least, it’s time for the law to be reviewed to favour the general public.