Paris is burning again. Over 30 police officers have been shot. It doesn't look like the French response has changed since two years ago, or has become any more effective.

On the political side, I have been to several former French colonies and there is a uniform hatred of the French by their inhabitants. Since the end of colonialism most of these nations have been iterating through new governments and unrest, so the local solution is generally some kind of fight against the government. They are not immigrating to France to become French.

On the practical side, this is a survival scenario that Americans don't think about too much outside of hollywood. Widespread rioting and unrest, burning cars, and gunfights with the police. Much like the L. A. riots, the press wants to attach the unrest to a cause or two, but intermixed with the revolutionaries and demonstrators are the criminals and looters that are out to get whatever they can carry away.

Civil disobedience has become particularly uncivil in the US in the last few years. Those who are demonstrating have incredible access to the media and the ability to get their message out, but when the policies don't change the radical minority begins what they term "direct action." The criminals of course make the most of the overtaxed police.

If you wanted a good reason to purchase an 'assault' rifle look to Paris.