For those who can't put a gun on the nightstand...

[gremlin_bros]

lets be serious

ok well i admit nothing says home defense like a mossberg 590 but if you dont have access to guns because your govt fears its own people then its better than nothing though i do agree they need to remove the connecter on the shield and recess it so if the shield is hit you dont get a broken arm as for the bat im thinking somthing in a nice weighted alumninum would be nice.

 

[BowStreetRunner]

I've seen a lamp made out of a Sten gun kit...you pull the trigger, it turns on!
BSR

 

[Dr.Rob]

You used to see a lot of old surplus turn of the century rifles turned into lamps.

 

[LAK]

For those who can't put a gun on the nightstand...
http://www.jamesmcadam.co.uk/portfolio_html/sb_table.html

Hmm, looks awfully dangerous to me; shouldn't some kind of license and tax be required for this sort of thing?
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http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org

 

[iapetus]

It's a great Idea, but still illegal if I understand British law correctly. I had read that any offensive item was banned for carry/use, that included pocketknives, keys, or any other item if used to strike another person.

Its not illegal.

It is illegal to carry "offensive weapons" in public, "offensive weapons" being a) things designed to be used as weapons, and b) various things that could be used as a weapon and which you don't have a good reason for having with you at that time.

Pocket knives with non-locking, folding blades shorter than 3 inches are exempt from the "you need a good excuse" aspect. Official, policed-published self-defence advice often advises using a walking stick, umbrella, set of keys for defensive purposes.

This doesn't apply to items kept in your home - you can have as many baseball bats, samurai swords, etc at the ready in your home. (Certain items are illegal to possess at home as well, such as stun guns and CS spray. These are classed as Prohibited Firearms ).

The way I understood it, British law basically makes self-defense a criminal act. If I am wrong, please enlighten me (any Brits out there).

Oh, self defence is perfectly legal, in theory. Its just that there are loads of restrictions on what you can use / carry for that purpose. (And no, I'm not trying to justify this situation).

Still, bear in mind that (as appears to be the case in the US as well), most successful and non-prosecuted-for cases of self defence simply don't get reported in the media, unless its something "wacky", like an old lady driving off burglars by throwing tea at them.