What about knives, multi-tools with blades, machetes, hatchets, etc ?
Are you guys still allowed stuff like that?
I've never been to Europe.
Yes we are allowed knives, axes and the like as long as you have good reason to carry them in your vehicle. So for camping, fishing, work then yes. To carry them on your person to go to thee pub or shopping, that's a big NO.
As for firearms, shotgun certificates must be obtained from the Police, unless you have a criminal record they will grant one. Hunting rifles are also allowed, but you must prove you have good reason to have one, no automatic or semi-auto centre fire, but semi-auto 22 rimfire rifles seems allowed. No short barrels or pistols. These require a firearms certificate.
So shotguns are a right, rifle are a privilege. It makes sense to us Brits, we really don't need Ar15's and we have no "dangerous" wildlife to require a big game rifle when we go camping.
As for self defence we have two options, walk away or Queensbury rules. Generally speaking 99.99% of people here are not threatening.