[Mashimo]

Are there any statistics about the UK and how often a personal weapon was crucial for self defense? For me it seems like a rare occurrence, but I don't know.

> shooting sports

I currently live in Denmark where we have some of the very strict weapon laws. No switchblades, no throwing stars, no carpenter knife for carpenters on person unless he drive between jobs sites etc.

And we still have sports shooting. Even with no license I know a gun range that is inside a normal school where we had a team building exercise :) Was fun shooting.

You can't do that currently in the UK or what?

[eigenket]

Yeah you can do all sorts of sports shooting in the UK, people do clay pigeon shooting or target shooting or even hunt birds (pheasant and grouse) and the like in the UK. We just have sane (or if you're American, draconian) controls on people owning guns.

[theptip]

Handguns must be stored in a locker at the shooting range, I believe. You’re not allowed to take them home.

Farmers can keep a shotgun for pest control, so it’s not a total ban on all home ownership of guns. But there is not seemed to be any legitimate purpose for owning a handgun in your home. Ditto an AR.