I am not in the habit of travelling in places where I cannot be armed in the most effective fashion, but it may be difficult to take a firearm along on an upcoming trip through Ireland, England, France ect. Any clever ideas?
Where is Sylvain when you need him?
Do you want to know what you are able to carry or what you are legally allowed to carry?
The laws are very different in each European countries.In some you can legally carry guns, knives, pepper spray etc ... just like in the States (with even more freedom than some US states).
In others they are highly restricted, especially in the UK where I believe pepper spray is classified as a firearm.Even off duty cops can't carry a can of pepper spray.
If you want something legal to carry anywhere in Europe you will probably be limited to a bright sturdy flashlight (fist load, impact weapon, blind people at night etc).
Possibly a pen.
You could also buy a weapon once you get there but then again what you can legally buy varies depending on the country.
In Poland you need a licence to buy a baton or a baseball bat ... in the UK you can't buy pepper spray, in France you can find shops that sell a bunch of things to anyone over 18.
If you think that your safety is more important than following the law then options are limitless.
You might also think about first aid as it's part of personnal protection and prepaparedness.
And it's not just usefull if you get attacked.
Carrying a trauma kit is legal anywhere, including on planes.Just be careful if you have a needle in your kit.
In my understanding, their backwards system would say that ANY item may be a weapon if you intend it to be one. Even a harmless item like a roll of quarters is a weapon if you fess up to the bobby that it is why you have it. So if anyone asks, its a good luck charm. Nothing more.
Once again it depends on the country.The EU is a group of 27 countries with different laws.
In some anything intended to be used as a weapon will be classified as a weapon like you said, in others you will have to use it as a weapon for it to become a weapon.
I saw a British cop stopping a car in a documentary, the driver had a baseball bat in the trunk of his car.
The cop asked "Why do you have a bat in your car?" ... the driver answered "It's for protection", and the cop said "Wrong answer" and he arrested the guy.
This entire post just makes me cringe and sad.
Who would leave the free part of the US for such a place
Coin sap is what I take. Others take small knives, some use canes.
The most important by far is situational awareness and good shoes.
Coin sap is what I take. Others take small knives, some use canes.
The most important by far is situational awareness and good shoes.
I'd tend to eschew the steak knife and cardboard - that's going to be real hard to explain if questioned. At least with a folder, it's arguably a tool (outside of the UK).
Good information. My family and I plan a 2019 trip to the UK. Their laws are backwards...but I have spent so much time there my family wants to see what I've seen.
This entire post just makes me cringe and sad.
Who would leave the US for such a place