It's difficult for me to say if protests were effective as I no longer live there. I think there is a limited value to protests but all you really achieve is a little lip service. Fundamentally it changes very little.

I will always advocate for peace and dialogue because I also know what the alternative looks like. I served my country to fight enemies in foreign lands but was also faced with fighting the IRA.

I hope with all my heart that this can be resolved through peaceful means but if like you say, push comes to shove, I can still drop targets at 600yrds+ if needed to protect my family.