Importantly, in a state of violent chaos, as Britain seems to be today, the two complementary responses to the situation are first, to seek order, which in this case implies vigilantism, to replace ineffectual government in the preservation of law and civilization.
The second is to improvise a weapon that is superior to a gun or knife, which will have such a powerful effect as to negate their use. Almost by definition such a weapon would be very dangerous, even deadly.
It is a mystery why the British people have not yet turned to vigilantism to protect themselves from violent criminals. Even a single individual could radically change the equation by resisting.
Otherwise, I think my choice for deadly weaponry would be some variety of compressed gas, sprayed in a thick waft, perhaps chlorine gas. It is instantly disabling, agonizing, and likely lethal.
Compressed gasses intrigued me, BUT you have to make sure you can get away!
I did a little checking. Having worked in the oil drilling industry, we are concerned with H2S in sour gas wells. I have heard about people just getting a whiff of the gas and passing out immediately.
BUT here is what I found based on MSDS’s about gas toxicity. H2S isn’t so bad.
GAS - OSHA PEL - LC50
H2S - 20 ppm - LC50 444 ppm (rat)
CHLORINE - 1 ppm - LC50 293 ppm / 1 hr (rat)
PHOSGENE - 0.1 ppm - LC50 800 ppm (human)
ARSENIC PENTAFLOURIDE - As 0.01mg/m^3 - LC50 20 ppm / 1 hr (rat)
So maybe forget the gases - stick with the tire iron or shotgun, depending on your situation and skill-set / training...
The British of today no more resemble their stout ancestors than today’s Greeks resemble the Spartans. And we’re headed the same way.
“The second is to improvise a weapon that is superior to a gun or knife, which will have such a powerful effect as to negate their use. Almost by definition such a weapon would be very dangerous, even deadly”
I can think of a few things that could be done with those “shake to charge” flashlights....
State of violent chaos? You mustn’t believe everything you read. I would have no hesitation in walking alone at night in 95% of Britain’s urban areas.