More sentiments of the helpless victims of the riots in the UK

[Atypical Liberal]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8692429/London-riots-Bleeding-I-called-999.-A-tired-man-told-me-to-go-home.html

"He was right, of course. I was in Hackney - which, that evening at least, was a law-free zone. That’s the worst thing about riots. Across much of London on Monday night, if someone had decided to break down your door and rape your daughter, there would have been nothing to stop them. There would have been no one to call.

When I was mugged, I was on my way home from a day in Tottenham, listening to the stories of the people who had lost far more and been at far greater risk than me, burned out of their homes at 30 seconds’ notice.

They called 999 too, frantically, desperately, as the riot moved closer. There were 100 police just up the road. The emergency operator could do nothing but listen to their terror."


This is precisely why people need to have the choice to be armed. In the final analysis, you have to be able to fend for yourself if you have to.

[flamingdem]

1. It's obvious if the English were armed MANY more would have died nt

[Atypical Liberal]

7. And many homes, stores and jobs would have been saved. n/t

[Starboard Tack]

18. Fortunately the Brits still value human life above property

[ManiacJoe]

9. That is not necessarily a bad thing...

... as long as the correct people die.

[TheWraith]

14. It's only "obvious" if your ideas are based on faith, not on information.

Firearms are rarely used offensively during riots. See Los Angeles after the Rodney King trial, or Seattle during the WTO, or other examples. The reason is obvious: having a weapon draws police attention and specifically targets the firearm user, whereas without one, they can sink into the crowd and avoid direct responsibility. It's the "mob mentality" which is the entire thing which powers a riot. Using firearms are directly contrary to that.

They are, however, frequently used defensively, and they provide a reason for the rioters to think twice before picking a fight with someone or smashing up a store.

[jpak]

2. Are they calling for the repeal of gun laws in the UK?

nope

fail

yup

[spin]

10. If the riots continue and the police can not maintain order they will be.

yup, yup, yup.

[PavePusher]

15. Or simply ignoring the law altogether. n/t

[Starboard Tack]

19. Won't happen if the police aren't armed.

Remember, there was no gun violence in these riots. This was misguided youth venting in a very negative way. No need for any guns.
Simple minds look for simple solutions.

[onehandle]

3. Fear! nt

[SteveM]

17. Science!

[dtexdem]

4. Guns are of no use in riots, unless carried by organized military trained in riot control, or ...

by rioters. In fact, individuals with guns to "protect" against rioting is one of the stupidest ideas around. Most often, the BEST outcome is that the person with the gun accidentally shoots her or himself.

[petronius]

5. I don't think the OP is talking about controlling or curtailing the riot, but rather being

able to dissuade people from intruding into your home or store as the riot pours down the street. An obviously armed person standing guard would be very effective in achieving that.

Your assessment of "BEST outcome" is honestly speaking the most asinine thing I've seen on DU in months; I can only assume that you were trying to be provocative and completely failed to think about what you were typing...

[Atypical Liberal]

6. See the Korean store owners in the LA riots.

Their stores remained intact.

[PavePusher]

8. Cite? or hogwash.... n/t

[spin]

11. Watch these videos of Koreans defending their stores ...

Koreans showing off their guns in LA riots

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a05_1235367821

LA Riots - Gunfight in Korea Town

Linda Mour reporting on Los Angeles Riots 1992. Footage of looting and gunfight with shop owners and looters

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=3be_1237333767

[friendly_iconoclast]

12. The alternative shoppers will be happy to know they have a friend in you n/t

[TPaine7]

13. Your post is the post to beat for the most asinine post of the year. n/t

[SteveM]

16. "accidentally shoots her or himself?" Sources? Cites? nt