It is definitely an issue. I live in a pretty rural area. It's relatively safe, but we have our share of gang violence and plenty of guns. I carry a firearm and other items for personal defense daily. I don't like going to other states where firearm carry is prohibited. My permit to carry is good in about 33 states.

I have to travel to NYC soon. No guns allowed for me there... very restrictive knife laws (most locking one-handed opening knives can be classified as an illegal gravity knife through a very tortured interpretation of their law).

Guns have always been part of my life growing up. Going hunting or shooting for recreation at family holidays.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18101605.woman-says-pepper-spray-handbag-scared-dogs/

Young woman convicted for having pepper spray she did not use.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/18101605.woman-says-pepper-spray-handbag-scared-dogs/

People are getting charged for possession of pepper spray. Not even use...just having it as a young woman.

In the UK, it’s illegal for any member of the public to carry a lethal or non-lethal self-defense weapon. The maximum sentence for possessing a weapon in the UK is 6 years in prison, whilst possessing firearms is 10 years. This includes pepper spray, any knife, or other weapon for self-defense. Any knife you can cary that opens one handed and locks...illegal. pepper spray...illegal to use. Your only option is to be faster or stronger than your attacker. Period.

https://brittontime.com/2021/10/22/everything-you-need-to-know-about-self-defence-law-in-the-uk/#:~:text=Are%20self%20defence%20weapons%20legal%20in%20the%20UK%3F,possessing%20firearms%20is%2010%20years.

In the UK, it’s illegal for any member of the public to carry a lethal or non-lethal self-defense weapon. The maximum sentence for possessing a weapon in the UK is 6 years in prison, whilst possessing firearms is 10 years. This includes pepper spray, any knife, or other weapon for self-defense. Any knife you can cary that opens one handed and locks...illegal. pepper spray...illegal to use. Your only option is to be faster or stronger than your attacker. Period.

https://brittontime.com/2021/10/22/everything-you-need-to-know-about-self-defence-law-in-the-uk/#:~:text=Are%20self%20defence%20weapons%20legal%20in%20the%20UK%3F,possessing%20firearms%20is%2010%20years.

Learned another fun British slang term....some tines I wonder why we kicked the Brits out if USA...then i remember they banned all guns, all knives, and allow for no self protection or self defense and I remember why.

But I might use that YOB and yell it at some one...so at least we have that in common!

This looks like somewhere in Utah.