Ferguson is burning ( mods to check please)

[NorthernRaider]

Going back to the LA riots in the 70s and the H Andrew aftermath along with Tottenham what was picked up on is the rampaging looters did not like to be faced down by armed shop and home owners and they go some place else to cause trouble, so possibly an armed prepper with what ever they legally own protecting their own street perhaps in conjunction with neighbours could be a valid deterant.

Note the proliferation of petrol bombs in most modern riots, perhaps we need even better fire fighting kit in our properties