I know people are reacting strongly, prob a large US contingent here and that’s understandable. It is a completely different world in the UK. The police don’t carry firearms (specialist response teams do) as they are just not as available to the general public. Knives or clubs/bats are the most common weapon encountered. Even in that context I too find the sentence pretty heavy on the face of it. The article was rubbish at giving anything other than rage-bait. It didn’t explain if there were circumstances of aggravation, does he have form (ie prior same or related offences), were there vulnerable people in the vicinity, which specific charge was he accused with (possessing or threatening with) did he plead guilty, were there mitigating factors that actually reduced his sentence as the mandatory minimum sentence for “threatening with a weapon” is six months, eg did he cooperate, is he a sole caregiver for someone at home etc.

Only thing I’ve walked away knowing is the author of the article seemed more interested in provoking outrage and upping their hit count than demonstrating any investigative nous or journalistic integrity.

Parametrek runs an awesome site for flashlight selections. http://flashlights.parametrek.com/index.html. They’re super knowledgeable and I have found it to be an invaluable resource for identifying options based on your selected parameters. I agree high CRI, rechargeable headlamp is a great option. Rechargeable means you don’t need to worry about specialty batteries and chargers which accompany many of the higher quality enthusiast flashlights available. It might still have a different battery than you’re used to but you can charge it in situ.

FWIW if you do want to just rubber band something to your glasses wing, there is a Lumintop IYP365 (In Your Pocket 365 days a year) it has a high CRI Nichia LED option which is great quality and runs on standard batteries - Eneloop rechargeables are a great option. I read feedback from people who use it as an inspection light in the aircraft industry and their feedback on the colour quality of the light sold me. It’s like a medical quality pocket light where the way colours appear while under illumination is obviously critical - just doesn’t have the M.D. price tag.

They actually just meant it was suitable for use with the Nokia N95 phone.

Damn that was my favourite phone. sigh ‘Twas a simpler time.

Hanlon’s Razor

Hey, bit late to the party but I got my other half a Wuben C3 flashlight just for around the house. It was really cheap on Amazon but it certainly gets the job done. I have my rovyvons and lumintops and acebeams and BLFs and Emisars - shout out of appreciation to Hank and Toykeeper and Parametrek for community service - but for an easy, reliable flashlight on a budget, IP68, decent emitter colour (at this price - it’s not blue), listed at 1200lm, Tail switch, 6 modes. USB charging (usb-c from memory) - I’d recommend this for anyone that’s not wanting to geek out hard as a purist.

Cheers bud, I was here for the calf!

I think in this case that’s a distinction without a difference.

I truly don’t know. To me, in war there are no wins, only losses. I believe everyone has the right to defend themselves against an aggressor. “The problem with living outside the law, is you no longer have its protection.”

Yeah, hence lying there like land mines. Its Vietnam again.

I had to look up what they actually do - although I’ve known the term since I was a kid. Basically it’s like a pipe bomb full of smaller explosives that is supposed to explode mid-air releasing LOTS of other explosives across a big area indiscriminately destroying anything in the little blammo’s radius. The baby bomblets can be fragmenting to destroy flesh, incendiary to explode and burn shit up, they may be anti-tank/vehicle, or even pressure sensitive mines waiting to be disturbed by a passer by (just like land mines). Now I understand the controversy.