Amid concerns over public safety, Germans are buying more weapons

Deutsche Welle ^ | 02.01.2018 | Kersten Knipp

[Olog-hai]

The number of Germans who have acquired weapons permits has risen considerably over the past two years. Having the requisite documentation allows people in the country to carry things like non-lethal gas pistols in public. In January 2016, just under 301,000 people had such a permit; in December 2017 there were over 557,000.

Weapons retailers say that defensive blinding flashlights, stun guns and gas spray are selling so well they are having trouble keeping shelves stocked. Self-defense courses are also increasingly popular. Classes at Taekwondo clubs, fitness studios, and even municipal community centers are attracting more and more participants.

A January 2017 public opinion poll showed that the majority of people in Germany are satisfied with their feeling of safety, but for roughly a quarter of the population, there is an increasing perception that their country is growing unsafe. […]

Interest in acquiring small arms has grown at the same time Germany began taking in more refugees. When asked by Infratest dimap which groups of people they feared the most, almost a third of respondents said “foreigners and refugees.” The second most-feared group, “neo-Nazis and right-wing extremists,” lagged behind at 13 percent. […]

So does owning weapons guarantee a higher level of safety? According to criminologist and lawyer Arthur Kreuzer, the answer is “no.” “In extreme psychological situations, many people resort to using guns and shoot themselves or others,” he said at a lecture at the German Police University in July 2017. “If guns are not at hand, some spontaneous suicides or accidental killings can be avoided.” …

[Ken H]

Wow! Nice work!

[piytar]

Sorry. Typo. About 14 pounds.

[blam]

Uncomfortable with all the MUSLIMS, eh?

[piytar]

Dangit screwed up again. It’s about 7 pounds. About the same weight as an Irisish Claymore sword. But yes, heavy.

[RedMonqey]

The number of Germans who have acquired weapons permits has risen considerably...things like non-lethal gas pistols... defensive blinding flashlights, stun guns and gas spray...

These are NOOoooOT weapons!
They are play-prettys to pacify the Germans who need real arms against their Uninvited “guests”!

[RedMonqey]

“In extreme psychological situations, many people resort to using guns and shoot themselves or others,”

Better to hold out your hand and say "no rap-ee, no kill-ee to the foreign scum, huh?(actual "self defense” advice in the Nordic country)

Better nervous with a gun than being nervous with a bat or knife.

But the Statist bureaucrat who lives in a gated community says call the policia.

They will rescue you.....just wait your turn...

(tick..tick... tick...)

[rfreedom4u]

I suspect there are quite a few vintage weapons lying around in cellars from WWII.

[rfreedom4u]

Please share what sword you have and where you bought it? I need a good sword. All of mine “might” last through one encounter if I’m lucky.

[piytar]

I bought it here: https://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/ Mr. Paul Southren really knows his stuff.

Unfortunately even the base version of my blade is not even listed anymore. Turns out it cost more to make than what I paid for it (around $700).

They still do offer custom blades. See for example https://www.sword-buyers-guide.com/custom-made-swords.html

Here is a YouTube video showing something similar to my blade being tested to total failure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTv_xzav1Ls