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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Right to bear arms

294 replies

Another2356 · 13/12/2025 18:19

I lived in the USA for 8 yrs and all my neighbours had guns, as a Brit I totally disagreed with this…. However since returning to the UK over the last 10 years, I’ve started to think they have a point. If UK law changes and I can purchase guns to protect myself and my family, I will absolutely do this. I feel I have the right to protect myself as the police are not available.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
7
HoneyParsnipSoup · 13/12/2025 19:43

Poms · 13/12/2025 18:31

I doubt the goady OP will be back.

Who cares, it’s good to reaffirm once in a while and see 95% of posters aren’t weapon crazy maniacs.

kenadams5 · 13/12/2025 19:44

I’m all for being able to protect yourself. I feel we should be able to carry something that could stop an attacker but not in a lethal fashion? But guns for all?

no.

look how well that works where you are…

IngridBurger · 13/12/2025 19:45

Greggsit · 13/12/2025 19:38

Well you would be putting yourself in much MORE danger.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/07/guns-handguns-safety-homicide-killing-study

'Researchers find ‘zero evidence of any kind of protective effects’, with women at particular risk"

Show quote history

Facts and evidence are soooo boring. More guns please. You know it makes sense!

MissyB1 · 13/12/2025 19:47

Another2356 · 13/12/2025 19:32

Actually I was not seeking fighting posts but genuine positive or negative reaction to my post. As a women in the UK I no longer feel safe & I genuinely would aquire a handgun and carry it if allowed. Shotgun or rifle dont work for protection. It would have to be a handgun. But as they are not permitted I won’t do this… but I don’t feel safe in this country anymore.

Oh well back to the USA for you then.

CheshireCat1 · 13/12/2025 19:49

We’re okay as we are thanks

BlossomLeaves · 13/12/2025 19:52

What makes you feel unsafe in the UK? Actual lived experience? Or the agenda ridden client propaganda that tries to pass as media these days?

PollyBell · 13/12/2025 19:53

So how do you know you won't come to harm with your own weapon over someone else's?

kenadams5 · 13/12/2025 19:56

BlossomLeaves · 13/12/2025 19:52

What makes you feel unsafe in the UK? Actual lived experience? Or the agenda ridden client propaganda that tries to pass as media these days?

I mean how about the overwhelming amount of male on female violence? Not saying that guns are the answer obvious my but it’s not like the UK doesn’t have genuine issues that would make some feel unsafe.

ShesTheAlbatross · 13/12/2025 19:58

What exactly is it that convinces you? The US’s low murder rate? They even have far more stabbings than we do.

ShesTheAlbatross · 13/12/2025 19:58

What exactly is it that convinces you? The US’s low murder rate? They even have far more stabbings than we do.

ShesTheAlbatross · 13/12/2025 19:58

What exactly is it that convinces you? The US’s low murder rate? They even have far more stabbings than we do.

ShesTheAlbatross · 13/12/2025 19:58

What exactly is it that convinces you? The US’s low murder rate? They even have far more stabbings than we do.

Ukholidaysaregreat · 13/12/2025 20:00

What the fuck are you on about?

IngridBurger · 13/12/2025 20:04

kenadams5 · 13/12/2025 19:56

I mean how about the overwhelming amount of male on female violence? Not saying that guns are the answer obvious my but it’s not like the UK doesn’t have genuine issues that would make some feel unsafe.

Show quote history

Do you think there's less male on female violence in the US? I'm not sure that chucking guns into the situation would(/does) help women.

ilovesooty · 13/12/2025 20:12

Another2356 · 13/12/2025 19:32

Actually I was not seeking fighting posts but genuine positive or negative reaction to my post. As a women in the UK I no longer feel safe & I genuinely would aquire a handgun and carry it if allowed. Shotgun or rifle dont work for protection. It would have to be a handgun. But as they are not permitted I won’t do this… but I don’t feel safe in this country anymore.

Feel free to return to the US if you feel safer there.

kenadams5 · 13/12/2025 20:13

IngridBurger · 13/12/2025 20:04

Do you think there's less male on female violence in the US? I'm not sure that chucking guns into the situation would(/does) help women.

Show quote history

If you read my post I did say that guns were not the answer. My post was in response to you asking what would people be scared of in the UK or something to that effect and I replied about the overwhelming amount of violence that women are facing. I do believe we should be able to carry something that would stop an attack, though not fatally like a firearm.

HelenaWaiting · 13/12/2025 20:15

Another2356 · 13/12/2025 18:19

I lived in the USA for 8 yrs and all my neighbours had guns, as a Brit I totally disagreed with this…. However since returning to the UK over the last 10 years, I’ve started to think they have a point. If UK law changes and I can purchase guns to protect myself and my family, I will absolutely do this. I feel I have the right to protect myself as the police are not available.

Well, the law isn't going to change so you'll just have to suck it up.

Talkinpeace · 13/12/2025 20:18

20,000 suicides by gunshot per year in the USA

who is made safer by easy access to guns ?

SingingSands · 13/12/2025 20:20

Genuine question OP, why don't you feel safe? Do you genuinely feel "unsafe" every day, everywhere you go? Is this real or perceived threat?

Just wondering if you need a handgun or to realign your perceptions?

Lemonfrost · 13/12/2025 20:25

Another2356 · 13/12/2025 19:32

Actually I was not seeking fighting posts but genuine positive or negative reaction to my post. As a women in the UK I no longer feel safe & I genuinely would aquire a handgun and carry it if allowed. Shotgun or rifle dont work for protection. It would have to be a handgun. But as they are not permitted I won’t do this… but I don’t feel safe in this country anymore.

You need to get some perspective - it's not half as bad as you make out. There are multiple things you can do to increase your sense of safety, none of which involve firearms. Take a self defence class. Carry a personal safety alarm. Plan your journeys and update other people. Carry an item that you could lawfully use as a weapon if need be. Get a dog. Use a tracker app with a trusted friend or family member. That's just for starters.

IngridBurger · 13/12/2025 20:27

kenadams5 · 13/12/2025 20:13

If you read my post I did say that guns were not the answer. My post was in response to you asking what would people be scared of in the UK or something to that effect and I replied about the overwhelming amount of violence that women are facing. I do believe we should be able to carry something that would stop an attack, though not fatally like a firearm.

Show quote history

Sorry, I wasn't clear, I did see you said that (and it wasn't my post you originally replied to). My point was really that levels of male on female violence is high enough in both countries that gun availability should not make women feel any safer. I agree with you that is a valid reason for women to feel unsafe (everywhere?)

ETA Sadly, whilst I understand the sentiment of women wanting to carry something non lethal for self defence I worry that in fact it may be more likely to be turned upon them than effective in protecting them.

CatHairEveryWhereNow · 13/12/2025 20:33

What's making you feel unsafe exactly?

I do see why so many feel unsafe in USA - high crimes rates - lots of guns - but also seen you tube clips where it shows how easy it is to kick their doors down or generally break in - construction in rest of the world - even standard UK doors just aren't as flimsy.

I don't see why everyone having hand guns makes anyone safer? Plus you can have guns - more types than most realise but you'd have to have a good reason and pass vetting.

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music that you love, upload original content and share it all with friends, family and the world on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSwEGcngHF4

Hufflemuff · 13/12/2025 20:40

Absolutely YABU

If guns were available in the UK think about how many domestics, neighbourly disputes and road rage incidents would end in tradegy.

We have too many nutters about to arm them.

Being armed against nutters is not as effective as having no guns for said nutters.

Durrrh

kenadams5 · 13/12/2025 20:42

IngridBurger · 13/12/2025 20:27

Sorry, I wasn't clear, I did see you said that (and it wasn't my post you originally replied to). My point was really that levels of male on female violence is high enough in both countries that gun availability should not make women feel any safer. I agree with you that is a valid reason for women to feel unsafe (everywhere?)

ETA Sadly, whilst I understand the sentiment of women wanting to carry something non lethal for self defence I worry that in fact it may be more likely to be turned upon them than effective in protecting them.

Edited
Show quote history

Sorry, was typing quickly. Yeah I see what you mean, I feel like we are at a disadvantage either way really.

Coffeeishot · 13/12/2025 20:44

Another2356 · 13/12/2025 18:19

I lived in the USA for 8 yrs and all my neighbours had guns, as a Brit I totally disagreed with this…. However since returning to the UK over the last 10 years, I’ve started to think they have a point. If UK law changes and I can purchase guns to protect myself and my family, I will absolutely do this. I feel I have the right to protect myself as the police are not available.

You want British people to have guns?