Will Britain Draw the Line? Deadly Pint Glasses?

[CompanyMan]

Back in 2005, after an article in the British Medical Journal called for a ban on pointed kitchen knives throughout Great Britain, some asked what was next: cricket bats, axes, or butter knives? Now, the British Home Office has managed to outdo those expectations. In a move sure to make armed citizenry proponent and brewer Samuel Adams roll over in his grave, the Home Offices new target is the deadly pint glass.

As part of a nation wide " Safe. Sensible. Social. " campaign, the British Home office has commissioned anew, " safer ", pint design meant to eventually replace the traditional pint glass that officials complain can be used as a weapon. Many in the pub industry expect the new design to incorporate shatterproof plastics, which would change the feel and the experience pub customers desire. Pub owners are also worried about the inconvenience and cost the switch could impose on their businesses, particularly during the current recession.

Others in the pub industry have questioned the need for such drastic measures. The BBC reports that 126 million pints of beer or ale are served each week in the UK, while the Home Office reports crimes involving bottles or pint glasses amount to to only 5,500 per year. One pub owner even suggested an alternative to help curb violent crime, stating, " Surely the Home Office needs to make the police use existing legislation and lock up the violent offenders? "

Those keeping track of Britain's " progress " might find it interesting that even George Orwell could not predict how far the British government would go. In the totalitarian Britain of Orwell's 1984, even the lowly " proles " were trusted to drink beer out of actual glasses.


Taken from the November 2009 issue of American Rifleman - The World's Oldest and Largest Firearm Authority. On newsstands now.

Thoughts from you across the ponders?

[Neltharion]

I don't see why a Magzine about Guns would publish an article on that.

This is terribly old news though, its just a glass, I really don't care what shape it is, as long as I can drink my pint out of it.

[CompanyMan]

I don't see why a Magzine about Guns would publish an article on that.

This publication is one of the magazines I receive for free with my membership to the National rifle Association. So it is very pro-freedoms. I think they view this as one nation trying to keep peoples basic freedoms down by not allowing people to drink from a glass.

This is terribly old news though, its just a glass, I really don't care what shape it is, as long as I can drink my pint out of it.

Might be old to you lads o'er there, but to me it's new news. Not the knives parts, but pints parts.

As far as glasses. I am a bit of a traditionalist when I drink. In that when I drink a margarita, I want it out of a margarita glass. Same with a martini. Same for various beers. Depending on the type of ale or beer, I want that specific glass.

When I drink Guinness I do so from a pint glass from Dublin itsself.

[Hubbs]

Never heard about any of this hmmmm I know of the school kids issue and knives, younger people with knives etc...

Pint glasses? dangerous? really? I dunno as I don't drink and don't go to pubs hehe
I would imagine that any bottle or glass object can be used as a weapon surely haha if you break it it becomes sharp and dangerous right...hence stabby stabby.

Surely darts or steak knives are worst eat a meal then stab someone hehe

[deezelboy]

I think they view this as one nation trying to keep peoples basic freedoms down by not allowing people to drink from a glass.

But the Home Office isn't suggesting banning glassware from pubs, it's just tendered out a design brief to create a shatterproof glass just to see if it can be done.

[Neltharion]

By Golly! They are taking away our Freedom to make weapons out of glass!

I call 1984!


If its a shatter proof glass then whats the problem? Does not seem to be taking away my freedom, well it is taking away my freedom to drink a pint and smash the empty glass over some poor sods head.

[CompanyMan]

Does not seem to be taking away my freedom, well it is taking away my freedom to drink a pint and smash the empty glass over some poor sods head.

Why stop there. Next it will be only plastic forks and spoons for you!

But the Home Office isn't suggesting banning glassware from pubs, it's just tendered out a design brief to create a shatterproof glass just to see if it can be done.

Just quoting what I read. However, if all pubs goto a plastic shatterproof glass and rid the glassware is that not a retro-banning?

[LargeLeader]

Us? Draw a line? Hahaha. Fuck no, we lost our balls back in the 90s.

[Hubbs]

I wouldn't be surprised if they did bring in plastic cutlery etc... in pubs and restaurants etc.. wouldn't be surprised atall.

[Neltharion]

Just in case those crazy Muslims decide to Hijack a restaurant right?

[CompanyMan]

Just in case those crazy Muslims decide to Hijack a restaurant right?

This is a good point! But not all Muslims are crazy, just the crazy ones that wish to kill me and my way of life are. 

[BishopIII]

 Shatter-proof glass won't help! You can still use it to batter someone repeatedly over the head! 

[Neltharion]

Shhh don't tell them that!

[deezelboy]

However, if all pubs goto a plastic shatterproof glass and rid the glassware is that not a retro-banning?

No, it's consumer choice (although I like the implication that the ZX Spectrum and Commodore Amiga were retro-banned.  I knew it was a conspiracy, but I didn't realise how deep it ran!). 

[maledoro]

It's not the glasses that are deadly; it's what you fill them with. Curse you, Red Barrel!