MicroBalrog
member
From a British poll on violence, in the "Observer":
"If the law were changed to allow possession of registered handguns, would you be tempted to carry a gun for protection?
Yes 22%
No 78%
Do you currently carry any of the following on a regular basis for self-protection purposes?
Rape alarm 4%
Whistle 4%
Other 9%
Nothing 83%
Fear of crime is such that a clear majority of Britons would be willing to risk the potential infringement of their civil liberties in the hope that this would reduce its threat. The introduction of a national ID card wins impressive support from all parts of society.
We appear to be little concerned about the gradual infringement of personal privacy in the pursuit of increased security. Only 2 per cent of the population object to CCTV cameras in principle, and it appears that their ubiquity has led to an increasing acceptance of their necessity. This tendency is best illustrated by the significant minority (45 per cent) who believe it is acceptable to install CCTV cameras in public toilets, for instance. It is clearly felt that CCTV cameras have a significant role to play in combating crime.
Almost a quarter of Britons would be tempted to carry a gun for the purpose of self-protection if the laws were changed. There are striking differences on the basis of region, with only 7 per cent of Londoners tempted to carry a gun, compared to 55 per cent of those living in Yorkshire/Humberside, and 45 per cent of those living in the West Midlands. The lower take-up rate in London may be a reflection of the relatively lesser fear of crime exhibited by Londoners. Men are more likely to consider carrying a gun, although the differences between the sexes is not as great as might have been anticipated (23 per cent of men versus 20 per cent of women)."
Do note the use of the word "tempted"
"If the law were changed to allow possession of registered handguns, would you be tempted to carry a gun for protection?
Yes 22%
No 78%
Do you currently carry any of the following on a regular basis for self-protection purposes?
Rape alarm 4%
Whistle 4%
Other 9%
Nothing 83%
Fear of crime is such that a clear majority of Britons would be willing to risk the potential infringement of their civil liberties in the hope that this would reduce its threat. The introduction of a national ID card wins impressive support from all parts of society.
We appear to be little concerned about the gradual infringement of personal privacy in the pursuit of increased security. Only 2 per cent of the population object to CCTV cameras in principle, and it appears that their ubiquity has led to an increasing acceptance of their necessity. This tendency is best illustrated by the significant minority (45 per cent) who believe it is acceptable to install CCTV cameras in public toilets, for instance. It is clearly felt that CCTV cameras have a significant role to play in combating crime.
Almost a quarter of Britons would be tempted to carry a gun for the purpose of self-protection if the laws were changed. There are striking differences on the basis of region, with only 7 per cent of Londoners tempted to carry a gun, compared to 55 per cent of those living in Yorkshire/Humberside, and 45 per cent of those living in the West Midlands. The lower take-up rate in London may be a reflection of the relatively lesser fear of crime exhibited by Londoners. Men are more likely to consider carrying a gun, although the differences between the sexes is not as great as might have been anticipated (23 per cent of men versus 20 per cent of women)."
Do note the use of the word "tempted"