To protect or not to protect.

One of my main difficulties regarding the UK's weapon laws is the lack of clause for people who genuinely want to protect themselves. Mind you, I'm not suggesting everyone should pack a Desert Eagle or sawed off shotgun, but I find the banning of things like mace and tasers completely out of line. We live in a relatively peaceful society but there are still people and animals running around that could harm our vulnerable little bodies. And being vulnerable, we need to protect ourselves from these threats.

An example of what I'm taking about is here:

Baton mean feared dogs

A man told police he was carrying a extendable baton late at night because he was afraid of dogs.
Wigan Magistrates' Court heard how Gareth Kamierczak was stopped by officers in the early hours of January 6, as he made his way home across fields in Leigh.
The 28-year-old, of Priory Avenue, Leigh, had just finished his shift as a barman in a local pub when police saw him.

He immediately admitted carrying the baton because he had once been bitten by a dog on the field and wanted to be able to defend himself.
He was charged with possession of an offensive weapon. Kamierczak pleaded guilty and was handed a two-month suspended jail sentence, ordered to serve 150 hours' community service and pay £95 in fines and costs.

From here

I know that guy's fear. I've had my own experiences with people's out of control dogs. And I did what you should do, notified the park ranger there was a dangerous dog. Absolutely no response from them and, 2 and 1/2 years later, I spotted the woman and the same unleashed Lab walking down the road near where her dog flipped out at me initially. Very effective.

And as a result of the inaction from Smithhills park rangers and what I feel is an epidemic of irresponsible dog owners, I've carried my Stanley knife with me (along with other cabling equipment) on trains late at night. Was it entirely for protection? No, it was legitimately with RJ-45 jacks and crimping tools. Did I consider it if I was going to be in danger? Yes. Is a Stanley knife way more dangerous to use than mace or pepper spray? God yes.

The argument my husband gives is 'mace and tasers could be used as offensive weapons.' Well, so could kitchen knives, my Stanley knife, my screwdrivers, my hammer, my voltage tester, my steel capped boots...

I can see the logic in banning things like switch blades and hand guns. But for Christ's sake, I really think fining someone for having an asp because the guy doesn't want to be bitten (again) by someone's dog is a bit too god damned far. Not everyone is a former Rugby player with the power to beat the shit out of a Rottweiler. Some of us need an edge over the danger that you know, still exists, in society. Christ knows Greater Manchester police and dog wardens are pretty much useless when it comes to that sort of thing... Why won't they let us take it into our own hands?