You ignore the obvious: that the UK’s rise in crime (and at no point have I denied a rise) comes from a very low level of crime historically. Whats why even American media were shocked and picked up on the UK rise in the 2000’s.
Britain, even with historically violent cities like Glasgow and London, has always had a low level of crime. That’s why the British bobby was famous for only needing a trusty old truncheon, as the romantic myth had it. Murder (as it remains) was a rare event, and most crime was petty. Even British gangsters didn’t get ‘tooled up’ unless necessary. The murder of women, children, policemen was almost unknown.
Sadly, those days are gone. Yes, the UK is more violent than it was in 1950 or 1970. But Britain is still a safe country. I have explained why the UK-violence figures are high. The way they are collated skews them.
Even IF the UK is the crime capital of Europe, you should remember that the UK and Europe are nowhere near as violent as the US. Or even Canada. Being Euro violence no1 still means we have a long way to go to match North American levels of violence.
If we are talking figures, then lets do so. The British murder rate is 1.2 per 100000, that’s just 720 murders in a population of 60 million people a year. The biggest UK violent crime is burglary, not violence against the person. Gun crime and gun murder is a fraction (one 16th) of the US levels. SIX children in the UK get abducted and murdered a year, that level hasn’t changed since 1970!. Less than 40 get murdered a year by family.
I find it amazing that you think the UK is so violent now that you cannot actually come here safely. Are you seriously suggesting that you are safer living in the US?. Are you seriously suggesting the UK is a more violent country than America?. Really?.
Your country has a serious crime and violent crime problem, you are famous as the land of gun crime/murder, serial killers (75% of all serial killers past and present are American), drug gangs, inner city violence, spree shootings, school massacres.........and you are scared to come to little old Britain?. Do you honestly think you are going to be beaten and murdered in Scotland, Wales, NI, Stratford, Stonehenge, Windsor, or even downtown London?.
The millions of Americans who visit the UK and the hundreds of thousands who actually live here suffer no violence, don’t get murdered. Most find the UK to be a much safer and more civilised society.
‘So, statistically speaking, YOU should be much more concerned than “I” on this matter. And I guess you are, having two guns. No?’
Try again. I have owned those guns since I was 18 and 21. And I will be 44 this year. Nothing to with crime. I just like guns.
‘P.S. I concealed carry for two reasons: 1) I can (you can’t, you know), and 2) it’s only prudent, not because I am deathly afraid of being assaulted—I’m not—but because a prudent man takes precautions, everywhere. Because I, like your fellow Brits, cannot carry in the UK or anywhere in the un-free nations of Europe, I prudently avoid it and them’.
Wrong.
CC, albeit much less than the US, is allowed on the British mainland, with a CC permit. And in Northern Ireland, CC is openly allowed.
I find it actually sad that you give up the chance to visit great countries and friendly people just because you feel you have to have a gun strapped at your side. I find it sad that you seriously think the UK or Ireland or other countries are so violent that you cant come. You seem to have a very odd and distorted view and frankly little knowledge of the UK and other countries.
We wouldn’t agree that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west but I’ll make one more stab at this, and come clean in the process.
You write:
“the UK and Europe are nowhere near as violent as the US. Or even Canada.”
Do you have a reading comprehension problem? The UK newspaper article clearly states that violent crime in the UK exceeds that of America, yet you blabber on that it’s the converse.
” I find it amazing that you think the UK is so violent now that you cannot actually come here safely.”
I don’t travel because I don’t trust the safety of the air transportation industry. They are not taking proper precautions for security. The Transportation Safety Administration is a joke and that is well-known in Internet social media circles.
Second, and here is where I come clean: I don’t particularly like your country anymore. You have allowed it to be overrun by Muslims, who are by their nature and religion, violent people. I don’t want to be among them, thank you very much.
I am fairly well-traveled, which may come as a surprise to you, having visited almost every Western European country, numerous Latin American countries, Russia, Ukraine, Japan and South Korea (the latter courtesy of the U.S. Army). I have no further desire to see them—or any other country, for that matter. Think of me as you wish, I don’t give a s#it.
Incidentally, I won’t drive to Canada for the very reason that I cannot protect myself with a gun (visited there twice in my 30s, never again). I won’t drive to Mexico because I am not insane.
You keep harping on murder but statistically one’s biggest danger is just plain old violent crime. When I walk out the door I am not concerned about murder, I am concerned about the possibility of a mugging, not that that happens much in my area, a conservative rural area of Virginia. Again, I point out that I am a prudent person who values my health and life.
Incidentally, I would bet that getting a concealed carry permit in the UK is an undertaking of the largest order. Here, OTOH, all one has to have is a clean criminal and mental health record and the $50 to pay for the five-year license; initially one has to have formal training in self-defense law and prove he can fire his weapon accurately and safely. Nothing else. It’s called “shall issue” in the parlance of the legislation passed by each state. “May issue” means that someone can use his discretion and deny the permit. Most states are “shall issue.”
I would add more thing. It’s in reference to your statement: “You seem to have a very odd and distorted view and frankly little knowledge of the UK and other countries.” You Brits have this very irritating arrogance often expressed in such declarations as “little knowledge of the UK and other countries.” It seems to be a British trait to think of people as not as worldly and sophisticated as you. We call it “snobbism.” Add that to my reasons for not wanting to visit your country.
To conclude, yes, I believe that I live in a safer country than you do...unless, of course, “The Telegraph” is lying.
Good day.