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In France, Shopkeepers Arming Themselves
Front Page Magazine ^ | 30 Oct. 2026 | Hugh Fitzgerald

Posted on 10/31/2026 7:33:09 AM PDT by MtnClimber

The Brave New World where the police are the useless.

Shopkeepers in Paris are stocking up on iron bars, batons, tear gas canisters, pepper spray, and baseball bats, all in anticipation of more mob violence and looting. After the events of the past week, they no longer trust that the police will adequately protect them, and are determined to defend themselves. Firearms are illegal, but that has not prevented some people from taking a risk and stocking up on guns. More on this, the first battle of what some French commentators have called a “civil war,” can be found here: “Self-Defence Weapons Sales Surge in Paris Ahead of Anticipated ‘Act II’ Riots on Saturday,” by Oliver JJ Lane, Breitbart, October 24, 2026:

Firearms dealers in Paris have reported a massive surge in sales of non-lethal deterrents, including high-powered pepper spray guns, as shopkeepers reportedly stock up on telescopic batons, baseball bats, and iron bars ahead of anticipated trouble on Saturday….

In fact, the police and gendarmes were out in much greater numbers on October 24 — 70,000 of them — than had been the case the previous weekend. A total of 410,000 protesters came out as well, fewer than the 550,000 who demonstrated the week before, and the violence was largely contained, with 1,300 arrests. Still, some shops were looted in Paris, Marseille, and Bordeaux.

While a city spokesman would not comment on why demand was rising, the gun shop owner interviewed by Flensburger Tageblatt confirmed from speaking to his customers they were afraid of being robbed, of their children “being the victims of abuse.”

“After the recent incidents, many concerned parents come to us to equip their daughters”, he said. Even a police officer had come to buy pepper spray for his wife and daughter. Officially local police condemned the trade, remarking that people preparing to defend themselves would cause others to be provoked.

In Germany in 2016, the sales of pepper spray spiked after the number of robberies and rapes by Muslim migrants had risen vertiginously. This was just one year after former Chancellor Angela Merkel threw open the gates of Germany to migrants, declaring to her countrymen that “Wir schaffen das!,” or “We can do this!” It turned out that no, they couldn’t successfully integrate Muslim migrants into German society. And now, fast forward to 2016, and the Muslims have joined the French protests, turning it to their advantage. They form the shock troops of destruction, known in French as the “casseurs” (people who smash things), and have been in the forefront of the looters.

And quite sensibly, the threatened shopkeepers of France are no longer relying solely on the police and gendarmes to protect their property. They are loading up on defensive weapons — pepper spray, batons, tear gas canisters, iron canisters, projectiles, the JPX — a four-shot pistol loaded with cartridges of irritant and compressed air, and whatever else they can get their hands on. And despite the risk they take — privately-owned guns are illegal — some shopkeepers are also managing to find guns and are prepared to use them to defend themselves and their property.

These violent protests, and the French shopkeepers responding by arming themselves, to many look like the opening battle in the “civil war” that French military men have been warning about. In April 2021, the right-wing magazine Valeurs Actuelles published a letter that 20 retired generals and over 1,000 active and retired service members signed. It accused President Emmanuel Macron’s government of making concessions to “Islamism,” losing control of Muslim immigrant suburbs (banlieues), and facing social disintegration. A second letter was published at the same site a month later, in May 2021, this time on behalf of younger, active-duty soldiers who said they had served in Afghanistan, Mali, and Central Africa. It reiterated the warning that a “civil war is brewing,” and stated that the military would maintain order on its own soil if an insurrection broke out.

That was the first open mention of a “civil war” possibly breaking out between Muslims and the French; since those letters from French officers were published five years ago, the situation has only gotten worse. The outbreak of mass rioting, looting, destruction, and attacks on the forces of order this month have brought home to the French the threat from both Muslims and from the far-left members of La France Insoumise, which the communist Jean-Luc Mélenchon leads, who have allied themselves with the Muslims. One can only hope that the National Rally will win the next election in 2027, and Marine Le Pen will call a halt to Muslim migrants, deny welfare benefits to all migrants during the first five years of their presence in the country, deport all those convicted of crimes after they have completed their sentences, and also return to their countries of origin all those migrants who have shown themselves to be both unable and unwilling to integrate into the larger society.


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: frenchtruth; muslimtruth; riots; riottruth
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1 posted on 10/31/2026 7:33:09 AM PDT by MtnClimber
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No mention of firearms. They are not serious about stopping this yet.


2 posted on 10/31/2026 7:33:37 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber
No mention of firearms. They are not serious about stopping this yet.

Some are. They may not be broadcasting it.

And despite the risk they take — privately-owned guns are illegal — some shopkeepers are also managing to find guns and are prepared to use them to defend themselves and their property.
3 posted on 10/31/2026 7:41:09 AM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
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To: MtnClimber
If one of those shopkeepers injures a mostly-peaceful rioter, the government would probably come down on the shopkeeper like a ton of bricks.

Paul Kersey was just told to leave town. That surely wouldn’t happen today.


4 posted on 10/31/2026 7:49:15 AM PDT by Leaning Right
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To: MtnClimber
"France Prepares For Third Weekend of Youth Unrest"

Officially local police condemned the trade, remarking that people preparing to defend themselves would cause others to be provoked.

Yeah, that's how it works.

The police want to make sure you are completely unarmed, defenseless and therefore open to being attacked, if not killed, your car, home and business utterly destroyed - while they, the French government and military do nothing.

5 posted on 10/31/2026 7:52:38 AM PDT by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: MtnClimber

The results of liberalism is never peaceful or risk free.


6 posted on 10/31/2026 8:01:13 AM PDT by Vaduz (NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)
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To: MtnClimber
When making an argument against gun control, you need to point to an object lesson in why not. And no need to reach back to the dictators of the previous century.

The UK and France.
Those are your here and now object lessons in why not to give up your guns.

7 posted on 10/31/2026 8:24:13 AM PDT by Salman (It's not a slippery slope if it was always part of the program.)
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To: Salman

France needs to let Rooftop Koreans immigrate to the country.


8 posted on 10/31/2026 8:27:43 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

In my neighborhood we have plenty of tree frogs. They need to have plenty of rooftop frogs.


9 posted on 10/31/2026 9:11:01 AM PDT by chickenlips (Congress, it's more profitable than the other form of prostitution)
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To: MtnClimber

https://essai-armes.fr/en/what-rifles-are-authorised-in-france-current-regulations/

A few shopkeepers with pump shotguns could put an end to the looting real fast.


10 posted on 10/31/2026 9:13:39 AM PDT by smokingfrog ( sleep with one eye open (<o> --- )
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To: MtnClimber

You beat me to it. Lol


11 posted on 10/31/2026 9:14:33 AM PDT by married21 (As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.)
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To: MtnClimber

If firearms are illegal, how are there gun stores?


12 posted on 10/31/2026 9:25:20 AM PDT by Bonemaker (invictus maneo )
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To: MtnClimber

Has that useful idiot woman shop owner whose store was looted after she was pushed aside ever spoken publicly yet?


13 posted on 10/31/2026 9:29:43 AM PDT by AlaskaErik (There are three kinds of rats: Rats, Damned Rats, and DemocRats.)
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To: Bonemaker
If firearms are illegal, how are there gun stores?

Guns are not illegal, you just have to get a permit and state the purpose. Hunting and sport shooting are permis. I am pretty sure that self defense is interdite.

14 posted on 10/31/2026 9:38:51 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

The police have been told to do nothing. They are being attacked and cannot defend themselves. If Macron cared he would order them to shoot anyone who attacks them, or hurls a firebomb or a paving stone.


15 posted on 10/31/2026 9:54:49 AM PDT by I want the USA back (Blue Lives Matter! White lives matter. Remember Iryna Zarutska and Justine Damond.)
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To: MtnClimber

Baseball bats? Would they be available in France, where baseball is unknown?


16 posted on 10/31/2026 9:56:38 AM PDT by Fiji Hill
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To: MtnClimber

Hey France, consider the qualities of a firearm. It’s a much more effective Muslim filter.


17 posted on 10/31/2026 10:19:03 AM PDT by Da Coyote
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To: MtnClimber

Hey France, consider the qualities of a firearm. It’s a much more effective Muslim filter.


18 posted on 10/31/2026 10:19:06 AM PDT by Da Coyote
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To: MtnClimber

NOT illegal. Approx 2.1 million in private but highly restricted hands. Ammo allotments etc. Self defense is not a reason for being ALLOWED to possess a firearm. Yeah, the U.S.sucks. 😠😊👍🇺🇸


19 posted on 10/31/2026 11:20:21 AM PDT by rktman (Patriotism not 'hateriotism' !. Enlisted USN 1967 proudly. 🇺🇸)
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To: rktman
Self defense is not a reason for being ALLOWED to possess a firearm.

Apparently defending their country is not a reason either.

20 posted on 10/31/2026 11:23:13 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of scenery, wildlife and climbing, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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