What self-defence items are legal in UK?

[Asa Samuel]

I guess tasers aren't but what self-defence items (tasers, pepper spray etc.) ARE legal in te UK?


Bass Junkie

[fenderhutz]

Knives.

[Asa Samuel]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Knives.

Only up to a certain size but i cant remember the blade length.

[Jeremy Crockett]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Knives.

Insert quote about bringing a knife to a gunfight.

[Baryonyx]

Well, in defending yourself, you're only allowed to use "reasonable force". One may argue that the phrase "reasonable force" is deliberately vague so as to allow for a subjective approach to cases coming before the courts, ie. the court can judge the case based on the facts rather than be bound to hand out a mandatory sentence over self defense.

That said, guns are an absolute no no. No hand guns, no automatic guns, gun laws are very strict. If by chance you were carrying a shotgun in public, you certainly wouldn't have time to get it out of the case and load it before you were mugged/beaten senseless/whatever.

There is a limit on blade length on knifes, something like 3" or something. Again, it's no pocket knifes that people use to kill each other either. The police use incapacitants like CS spray and whatnot. I'm not sure on the legality of ownership of these items for personal use in the UK, but it's most likely regulated. Basically, you don't want to get caught with anything on your persons that could be construed by a police officer searching you to be an offensive weapon, as the courts will likely view it in the same manner.

Judging by past precedent in English cases, your best bet if you're attacked is to run like the wind.

[Asa Samuel]

Well i can run pretty fast and if i cant run i can easily defend myself using my fists, palms, fingers and whatnot, i'm trained in various martial arts (all self-defence arts) i'm a 2nd dan black belt in karate, i'm learning feng shou and tai chi, and i have dabbled in various other martial arts so i can easily defend myself but the only reason i was wondering was if i have something like pepper spray (or anything) then i'm less likely to damage them and they claim brutality.


unfortunatly i tend to get carried away and all of the arts i learnt are pretty well... not violent but more destructive than others, i'm more likely to break something than give them a bruise.

i dont think i would like to carry a knife as they arent very nice objects to use on other humans.

[vene-nemesis]

Originally Posted by Bass Junkie

Well i can run pretty fast and if i cant run i can easily defend myself using my fists, palms, fingers and whatnot, i'm trained in various martial arts (all self-defence arts) i'm a 2nd dan black belt in karate, i'm learning feng shou and tai chi, and i have dabbled in various other martial arts so i can easily defend myself but the only reason i was wondering was if i have something like pepper spray (or anything) then i'm less likely to damage them and they claim brutality.


unfortunatly i tend to get carried away and all of the arts i learnt are pretty well... not violent but more destructive than others, i'm more likely to break something than give them a bruise.

i dont think i would like to carry a knife as they arent very nice objects to use on other humans.

Being trained in martial arts can get your fists judged as deadly force weapons too.

[Baryonyx]

Carrying a Maglite torch can be a good idea, as it can be used as a kubotan if the need be. Using that in combination with punches to the throat would be sufficient to ward off most attackers, but then again, beware. Any time you're stopped and searched by a police officer (at night), strolling about with a torch might be seen as going equipped to break and enter premises.

Anyway, whats up with this thread, are you feeling endangered or something?

[Armueller2001]

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Judging by past precedent in English cases, your best bet if you're attacked is to run like the wind.

Gotta love legal systems that protect criminals more than law-abiding citizens... IMO if you rob, attack, or burglarize someone you deserve what you get... whatever that may be.

Originally Posted by Chris2112

Any time you're stopped and searched by a police officer (at night), strolling about with a torch might be seen as going equipped to break and enter premises.

The police stop random people and search them for no reason?

[Stuggi]

Two and a half feet of 1½" steelpipe gets you a long way in the less "sunny" parts of society.

[Josh Ryan]

Very sad.

[Jeremy Crockett]

How much evidence is there for people successfully defending themselves against armed attackers?

I mean other than the self-promoting sensei anecdotal stuff.

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by Armueller2001

Gotta love legal systems that protect criminals more than law-abiding citizens... IMO if you rob, attack, or burglarize¹ someone you deserve what you get... whatever that may be.



The police stop random people and search them for no reason?²

¹: With regards to the words burglarize, a lecturer of mine had me laughing the other day when he talked about a defendants "burglarizing intent", as taken from a judges speech. We had a good laugh at the language there.

²: The police have the power to stop and search anyone they want if they feel they have reasonable grounds to do so, such as believing that person may be carrying an illegal substance/offensive weapon/stolen goods/whatever or may be be engaged or be about to engage in the commission of an offence.

[Asa Samuel]

Originally Posted by vene-nemesis

Being trained in martial arts can get your fists judged as deadly force weapons too.

Thats why i am looking for a less 'brutal' self defence option.

[Vince S.]

Originally Posted by vene-nemesis

Being trained in martial arts can get your fists judged as deadly force weapons too.

Please tell me that's a joke.

[Baryonyx]

Originally Posted by Bass Junkie

Thats why i am looking for a less 'brutal' self defence option.

Then a good pair of running legs and some deep lungs will be your best bet!

[Asa Samuel]

Originally Posted by OctoberMooN

How much evidence is there for people successfully defending themselves against armed attackers?

I mean other than the self-promoting sensei anecdotal stuff.

not many people know how to defend themselves so not alot, but i know a couple of people who have had people try to mug them but fought back so they didnt loose anything.

[FL Knifemaker]

I thought the UK was a crime and violence free society?? The cops aren't even armed.

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by Bass Junkie

i'm trained in various martial arts (all self-defence arts) i'm a 2nd dan black belt in karate, i'm learning feng shou and tai chi, and i have dabbled in various other martial arts so i can easily defend myself but the only reason i was wondering was if i have something like pepper spray (or anything) then i'm less likely to damage them and they claim brutality. ... unfortunatly i tend to get carried away and all of the arts i learnt are pretty well... not violent but more destructive than others, i'm more likely to break something than give them a bruise.

I'm a practicing martial artist and we're constantly taught the importance of using the proper amount of force that the situation requires. As a 2nd dan Black Belt, you should be well equipped to throw to the ground the typical drunken fool in a bar who tries to pick a fight with you, and leave them uninjured. Of course, breaking bones or injuring someone in this type of fight will likely get you charged with excessive force with intent to injure, and that's why it's necessary to practice throws and holds and also kicks and punches that hurt but do no real damage.

As far as weapons, a firearm is useful against another firearm, such as when a criminal is using a gun to threaten innocent citizens and there is a danger that someone will be shot, but if you are practiced in martial arts and competent at it, using your hands and feet is better than nearly any hand held weapon.

[Asa Samuel]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

I thought the UK was a crime and violence free society?? The cops aren't even armed.

some places thats true, others not.


Like in some areas police carry those extendable battons that are really bad, whereas in others they carry extendable tonfas, which are absolutely devistating when used properly.


They also want to bring in tasers, and i think they are in in some areas.