being in dire straits in the u.k

[sethorly]

drifter - If I lived in the US I'd want to own a gun because there are so many illegal weapons.

Living in the UK, I'm happy not to own a gun because there are so few illegal weapons. (I'm not counting air rifles here - I'm planning on getting one of those for small game shortly.)

For home defence in any country, a determined SHTF group will gain entrance to your home. The UK is probably safer here I reckon. A burglar could shoot you from afar in the US whilst in the UK a burglar would have to get close and you'd have more warning. I'd rather be in the UK than the US if SHTF. So I don't think your worries are warranted, drifter. Lookup home defence for ideas of how to protect your home eg. heavy bag of stones just inside the door so the door can't be pushed open fully.