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I am curious, given the number of now illegally owned firearms here in Australia, did the general population of the UK really disarm themselves, or have they stashed them away as everybody here seems to have?



It is actually possible to own a legal firearm in the UK, only there are restrictions on the types of firearms that can be held. Automatic assault rifles and concealable hand gun cannot be held with a firearms license. Other firearms are used in field sports and are available to those with a firearms license. A firearms license is processed by the police authorities and rigorous background checks made.

There are sportsmen and sportswomen who are involved in the sporting side such as target shooting and other field sports such as hunting. The UK target shooting teams have an impressive record at the Olympics and they will to continue to do so. The rifles used by these sportsmen is not generally held at their homes but securely at their sports club under very tight security conditions.

I would suspect that the chances that anyone in the UK has easy access to an Assault rifle, which has be salted away are very low indeed to the point of being almost impossible, although I have heard that someone in Manchester was able to purchase through the Internet from the US by ordering separate individual parts. Concealed hand guns are again very hard to get hold off but I would suspect not impossible. Ammunition for these weapons would probably be even harder to get.

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It is difficult for me to think that such an intelligent population would not at least consider the prospect that things could change for the worse, and retain at least some measure of deterence should the need arise.


The difference in outlook when things get tough or difficult is really a cultural one. I suspect that in the US people have a different mindset. People in the US are more individualistic, they are forced to rely on there own abilities and see others in their communities as potential threats to the own way of life. I think an example would be useful. In the late 1960's there was a Blackout in New York, there was looting and anarchy. In the UK in the 1970's there was something called the 3 day week. During 4 days out of 7 electrical power was turned off around the country. During that period people just went to bed earlier than normal by candlelight and some learned to play the piano and most got around to reading that unfinished novel during the extra time they had on their hands. Some even claim that they had a great time during the 3-day week. Apparently the birth rate jumped considerably 9 months later.