Ted, I rather assumed we'd all ensure the family was safe first and foremost! Otherwise we all know who'd give it to us in the neck - She Who Must Be Obeyed!
The cultural differences are there - for better or worse. US allows driving at 16 years of age (not sure if that's all States) whilst it's 17 here. US allows drinking of alcohol from age of 21, whilst it's 18 here in the UK. And so forth.
The other thing is that there have, over the last few decades, been too many stories here of householders defending their homes and property, whether with a firearm (unusual) or by other means, such as a cricket bat, golf club or such like and the poor fellow gets prosecuted by the criminal - it is madness but demonstrates the narrow road we as law abiding citizens are forced to tread.
Tim
