What about a compound bow and a nice supply bolts, pepper sprays, tasers, and or bladed weapons? What is the current situation in the U.K? Compound bows are great and very effective at killing through hemorrhage of blood. A nice, razor sharp broadhead rips flesh very effectively and will continue to cut if the target tries to move after penetration if the head gets lodged and doesn't pass through.    The only problem is that they are impractical for daily self-defense and require a lot of practice to be able to shoot effectively. All my experience comes from deer hunting either in tree stands or while hiding at the edge of a corn field or hedge row.    In a militia or group-protection scenario, they could be practical given the assumption that those brandishing them are concealed from site. No smoke trail or report to give away your location if you are well hid.    I've hunted deer for quite some time, but not in recent years due to my present location. What I can attest to is that deer shot with buckshot or a 30-06 sometime manage to get away, even if you get a front shoulder/lung/organ shot. Every one that I've taken by bow took off running, but never got too far away. They always died and the hemorrhaging was severe.