Carp is being sarcastic - here, were someone to break into your house - attack your wife or kids and you beat him to death with your fists - no weapon used, you'd be charged with third degree murder - and probably convicted unless he was armed or you armed the body. Even then, it would be hard fought and you'd need a very good lawyer - because

"all he wanted was your sterio and you murdered him". (His assault on your house-hold and family was accidental) He never meant to hurt anyone" - "he was a good man, wonderful father/worker/student/a--hole/pin cushion -yadda yadda yadda" -

is the defence - and pretty much all that's needed. The ciminal 'justice' system will do the rest. Such is life in 'Utopia'.

Firearms handy for protection purposes are not allowed here - you might accidently or on purpose shoot a criminal and we can't have that, Old chap!

Yeah- I feel synical.