There's no evidence at all that having a weapon prevents shooting (if you read the article, you cited, the guy just thinks it probably did - not exactly an unbiased source) - and yes, having a gun makes you more likely to be attacked - it's just a lot of people blithely assume it will never apply to them.

Well, police wise, here in Ireland, police don't carry weapons. And if you really worry about the military being the organisation with the easiest access to weapons, you should be leading campaigns for nuclear disarmament because government weapons are FAR beyond the arsenal of average Americans.

The problem is just that it can be a hassle to prove it - and depending on how much you can spare to pay for a lawyer, it can definitely be an intimidating tactic, unfortunately...

That wouldn't surprise me, though. I've found it quite common in Europe (British isles are my part of Europe) that it's much more chill in cities, while in rural Ireland, it'd be horrible.

Which is why I'd prefer they had a weapon which made it harder to kill people (no one died in that stabbing) than one which made it easy.

I know. Limiting guns doesn't stop the crazies, it just limits the damage they can do.

Actually, as someone who has done academic work in this area (not to mention lived in both countries - you clearly have not), the human rights in the UK are indeed to a higher level. And yes, judicial review does still exist in the UK, but obviously there is particular history with guns due to the Troubles.

Yes, Australia, the UK, Canada and Ireland are all living under complete tyranny, are they? Someone's never left the US!

In Ireland, you're right, stabbings do happen. But I'd prefer someone who snaps to have access to a knife and not a gun. There's a reason that these mass killings happen once in a blue moon everywhere else and all the time in America - and I don't think it's because Americans have a more tenuous grip on reality.

The UK invented civil liberties and the European Convention of Human Rights ensures a level of human rights far above the US constitution - for example, fair trial rights for rape survivors. I've lived in a lot of places and America is far from the most respectful of human rights.

I HATE FCC. With a passion.

Heh. Delaware for the win! However, I have noticed that, for whatever reason, I have noticed a lot less zoned out parenting on the tube in London than I did growing up in Delaware. But Dublin was probably worse than either of them, so definitely cultural..

On the other hand, rock on that the pharmacist both said something and tried to be considerate in case you were disclosing?

One of the best things about moving from Dublin to London. In London, that shit is enforced and if you don't get with the programme, people will politely correct you.

Southern train from London to Brighton? That happens ALL THE TIME. But even worse is if you're on one of the Gatwick stopping services, and then people cram in their massive suitcases in the empty seats...

Me as well. It's kind of reassuring to know I'm not the only person who does this...

I could see their point if you were like, "I ABSOLUTELY want kids and he does not", but "he doesn't want kids, I kind of did, but I could live without them?" So not the same thing.

I don't think that's the unpopular decision. It's all about figuring out what your dealbreakers are and it seems that you've decided that having kids isn't necessarily one for you.

I would guess the number was blocked - and regardless, all London landlines are 020, unless another Jezzie can correct me?

I really don't get the three quarter length Jack Wills sweatpants with UGGs look. And it was super popular...