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The philosophy of any liberal society is the "right to life, liberty, and property" as locke dictated in his 2nd treatise. I think that Britain is going a bit overkill in prosecuting people who defend themselves, but I think that the crazy right wing vision that you need to have a weapon in order to protect yourself is equally, if not more dangerous for society. If you pay taxes, and chose to take advantages of things in your society (social security, medicare, etc. etc.) then you have given up your natural rights, with the trust that your society will be responsable for them. Thus, if you decide to be a citizen of the Great Britain, you no longer have the right to defend your own property, because it's the states responsability to defend your property, not your own anymore.
If there was no government, then yes, as Locke says, you have a right to defend your property with the means bestowed on you (murder anyone who threatens you or your property), but since there is a government in place, its responsability is to protect you and your property. This keeps petty thieves from being killed, and gives people fair trials in a court system unbiased. If the police don't protect you and your property, then you have a right to rebel against your country. That's the bottom line, right there. You shouldn't hole yourself up with weapons and just say that it's "not your problem", because then it just prolongs everyone's misery.
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"Nature herself makes the wise man rich."
-Cicero
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