To think that the law needs changing about right to protect yourself.

[NumbFeeling]

Things are getting out of hand in the country, and the level of violence and sexual assaults is out of control.

AIBU to think that the law needs changing about how we can defend ourselves? For example, if we were allowed to carry pepper sprays someone may have been able to stop further stabbings last night.

I’m not talking about carrying weapons, I’m talking about something that would immobile a killer, which doesn’t maim them. I don’t understand why they aren’t legal TBH.

Police arrive after an attack. Incidents aren’t being prevented, so at the time it’s you against an armed person, and you have no chance.

Things are out of control now, and I think we need to be able to at least have a chance.

AIBU to say we should be allowed to carry pepper sprays or similar?

YABU

Why?

If you were on that train last night, and you and other people had pepper sprays, they could’ve been immobilised.

Why are we not allowed to defend ourselves?

What if your assailant takes your pepper spray and uses it on you? Or they also have access to pepper spray to use on victims? What if Innocent people get sprayed by neds?

Can you explain why OP is being unreasonable? I'm not saying I agree or disagree, because frankly I'm not educated enough on the subject. But I would like to understand your point of view

You are talking absolute shite in relation to carrying pepper spray in relation to the attack last night

I agree op

If you are being attacked and there is a threat of loss of life, you can do anything and I mean anything to defend yourself
I don’t believe in carrying pepper spray because it sprays everybody around you, But hairspray is equally effective in the eyes of somebody trying to stab you

I believe deep heat spray works well.
The danger of course with any sort of weapon is having it taken off you and used against you so you'd need to have a good aim, tricky in a panicked situation I'd imagine.

A lot of this will come down to the best worst case senario. The number of people killed or serious hurt in these events is likely far less than the number killer or seriously hurt by people carrying self defence items.

Imagine the number of train arguments that end up at the moment with swearing and shouting that was escalate if one of the parties had peper spray.

Yeah I can well imagine that arseholes would start buying pepper spray. I do think though if someone attacks you then you should be able to do whatever the fuck you like to them without repercussion.

I do, it might not help but I carry a bottle of deep heat spray and I wear my spiked ring when walking home from work in the dark.
My area has changed beyond recognition. It was problematic to begin with drug addiction and homelessness, now three is government issued blue tents everywhere.
It's scary.

If you are being attacked y someone with a knife in essence you can do whatever you like to fend them off, including running them over with a car.

Someone untrained and in a panicked state is unlikely to effectively deploy a weapon.

Everyone carrying weapons increases the amount of violence and number of deaths.

What about when the attacker enters the train with googles on and sprays everyone to immobile them and then stabs more people?

What about the idiots who spray people for fun. Seen some of the trick or treating comments recently? That could easily be someone spraying others.

This is just a low level version of America’s view on having guns to protect themselves without looking at the additional harm it can cause.

Pepper spray, tasers and any other self protection equipment can also be used to attack. Children can also inadvertently get hold of it and cause harm to themselves or others.

Your argument is the same one used in America. If everyone has a gun we’re all safer.

its bollocks there and it’s bollocks here, whether it’s guns, knives or pepper spray

I agree. There are pros and cons of pepper spray and the like.

One man with a knife is life threatening to a large group of people. You can’t stop them without an aid.

Let’s say it was legal, and lots of people carried pepper sprays. I know I would. A couple of people with pepper sprays could stop a knifeman.

I think given the situation we are now in, we should be allowed to carry prevention.

Who said you aren't allowed to defend yourself?

You absolutely can. You just can't carry a weapon day to day.

If someone on the train had pepper spray, they'd just have likely sprayed themselves and others and caused more harm than good.

Yeah great idea. Enclosed carriage. Everyone spraying pepper sprays around. Everyone in the carriage would have been immobilise! I’ve been trained to use CS gas sprays and you don’t use it in enclosed spaces with innocent people around. You also do it at a distance so it doesn’t blow back in to the innocent sprayers face. There are several hours of training to be able to use CS gas/pepper spray safety.

Like anything else if pepper sprays were legally available the baddies would have them too so innocent people would even be less safe! Just like guns in America.

I think self defence should be taught.
I also want more women to be assertive, aggressive even.
I’m sick and tired of females being pushed into submission.
I’ve said to my DDs never be afraid to cause a scene. It is never, ever acceptable for anyone to touch you, ever. It is assault.
Don’t be afraid to say ‘No, you can’t sit next to me,’ on public transport if there are other empty seats.
You are not there to facilitate meals in anyway, shape or form.

Ok, so not pepper sprays.

However, this is now out of hand. So, we can do anything to defend ourselves. Like what?

What should I get out of my bag? My umbrella. My iPhone? How exactly can you defend yourself against someone with a 10” blade?

I started karate in my thirties. As well as “proper” karate (the competition stuff!), we do a lot of self-defence work. My instructor always drums in that the best weapons you have are your legs and your voice. Anything you carry can be taken and used against you. Legs can kick and they can run. I think knowing a handful of self-defence positions or strikes is preferable to something like pepper spray.

Like anything else if pepper sprays were legally available the baddies would have them too so innocent people would even be less safe! Just like guns in America

Exactly. Why bother messing around threatening someone with a knife if you want to mug them when pepper spray is available to all? Quick spray, phone nicked or what ever. Job done.

I completely agree! I’ve lead some very basic self-defence sessions for my DD’s Guide group, but wouldn’t it be fantastic if it were included in the Key Stage 3 PE curriculum or something? I have no idea how that would work, but it would be great!

Self defence classes are the best thing to do.

In your handbag, you could use a large thermal bottle with an easy grip at the top which is a weapon akin to a truncheon if necessary.