Reality... a cruel but persistent teacher

Glenn Reynolds notes some heretical thought emerging in the UK:

The riots in London, the West Midlands and the North West should prompt a renewed debate in Britain over the right to bear arms by private citizens. The shocking scenes of looting across the country are a reminder that the police cannot always be relied upon to protect homes and businesses during a period of widespread social disorder. The defence of life and property can never be entrusted solely to the state, not least when there is a complete breakdown in law and order. As we have seen this week in Britain, when individuals are barred from defending their own property from mobs of vicious thugs, sheer anarchy and terror reins.

An expensive wake-up call, to be sure. One can only hope British society doesn't just hit the snooze button once the immediate crisis has passed. This is a fundamental and perennial issue.