So, having the means to defend yourself from those who seek to harm you, you define as "paranoid and sad." I'll bet you that that soldier murdered on your streets would have wanted to have had a firearm at his disposal at that moment. But fighting back, especially with a tool that "means business," well, I guess that wouldn't be polite. Not the British way, I guess, seeing as that the first London police on the scene had to just stand and watch until LEOs with weapons showed up.
P.S. I notice that you don't place an apostrophe in contracted words. Twice you wrote "dont" and and didn't do so. Is that the British way or you just don't know any better?
1—I thought it sad that you restrict yourself to countries where you cant pack heat. One country in your case. Even as big, varied and gorgeous as it is. I think its a bit sad that your first thought for a holiday is your gun.
I could understand if the rest of the world was like Syria or Beirut on a bad day, but THREE MILLION americans visit the UK every year and another 150,000+ actually live here. And more millions of Americans visit Ireland and the rest of Europe, Australia, New Zealand. And they arent the victims of murder or serious crime. They have a great time, are safe and go home just as safe and happy as they did on arrival.
They dont need to carry a gun. Because these countries are safe for tourists, there isnt the need to carry a weapon.
And yes, what happened at Woolwich was horrible, but the fact is the UK remains one of the safest countries for you, Americans or anyone to visit and even live.
Millions of Brits and Irish (and other nationalities) visit your nation and live there, yet we are all and have been for decades, aware that America can be a violent, sometimes very violent, nation. But we are not put off by that, as the wish to see a great nation and its beauty override any fears we may have.
So yes, I think it is ‘sad and paranoid’ that you actually think you cant and that you wont (unlike 3 million of your fellow Americans) visit famous places like London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Scottish Highlands, Wales, Stratford Upon Avon, the White Cliffs of Dover or Stonehenge without carrying a gun.
I do not sneer at you, I actually feel a bit sad, as I would welcome you, as I would all Americans, to visit our ancient and beautiful land. And I know you would probably love it here.
I sincerely and genuinely hope you one day change your mind.
2—No, it is simply that I tend to type at speed. My lack of correct grammar is simply speed-induced sloppiness.