Gun culture was "slightly OT apparation on Main list

[alhewison]

BBOY wrote:-

In England, more than many placed, there really is honor among
thieves, and other criminal sorts. Up until recently, English police
didn't even carry guns. It was a gentleman agreement between cops and
crooks. 'You don't shoot us and we won't shoot you.' I believe the
world has changed a bit now, but I'm still pretty sure that the
average 'walk the street' cop doesn't carry a gun (can't prove it 
though).

This paragraph bubbled up several ideas in my head, but was too off-
topic to carry on the main list.

Whilst I agree that there is an "honour amongst thieves" of sorts, 
this does not explain why British Police don't carry guns. I think 
that Bboy is perhaps confusing a very different background culture 
with a "gentleman's agreement" which I don't believe has ever existed.

In Britain we have very tight laws regarding the holding of firearms. 
These have been tightened in recent years following a massacre of 
school children a few years ago. Basically, the average person would 
have no access to, and no contact with guns. I have never seen a 
handgun. Guns are freely available in the "Underworld", and in some 
parts of the country are increasingly used, particularly in drugs 
related incidents.
I believe that this attitude towards guns differs greatly from the 
States where (our British) media shows us that many feel that gun 
owning is a right, part of the right of self protection. As such, 
guns in the States are comparatively freely available, and are 
correspondingly used more. In a society where guns are more freely 
available, I can accept the need for law enforcers to carry weapons. 
In our society where this is not the case, gun-handling is not 
necessary.

Before, you think that my understanding of the gun situation in the 
States is very simplistic – it is. I know that the arguments are very 
complex and that different states have different laws governing their 
use. I am only comparing (at a superficial level) why the police can 
act so differently in Britain. Having said that, "Armed Response 
Units" are increasingly used, and it is not inconceivable that all 
our police will be armed in the future – although I still think that 
we are some way from that. There is an argument that if are police go 
into situations armed, that they will almost "up the stakes", and 
lead to more fatal confrontations.

Violent crime is escalating sharply in Britain. I don't how 
badly/favourably it compares to the States – or even other parts of 
the world, but certainly as Bboy says, our "world has changed a bit 
now" Violence though doesn't necessarily have to be as a result of 
guns. My brother and sister have both been mugged – baseball bats 
make good weapons when used to cosh somebody over the head. 2 friends 
of mine were stabbed when they got on the top deck of a bus outside 
our school, and only 6 months ago my husbands car was written off in 
a "road rage" attack. When the policeman arrived, the first thing he 
told my husband was that "this "gentleman"  (ie the bloke who ruined 
our car) is known to me, and it's not in a social capacity" – he 
already had form for pub brawling and intimidation. Very nice man! 
Although he was charged, he has still not been prosecuted. My husband 
does not want to chase, as he doesn't want to go to court. This is 
not feel like justice to me, and as for honour



Ali

Who is glad that guns are not common place in Britain, but accepts 
that other cultures have different needs.