How is it not hypocritical for loyalists to demand that nationalists disarm and then not to do so themselves?

The difference between Pira in 1972 and Rira today is that Pira had the sympathy of many republicans and the understanding of many republican sympathizers so they were able to Infer a sense of legitimacy. The other difference was that as a result of the old systems, loyalists effectively had a monopoly on local government and public services which meant that republicans were effectively unrepresented, except by impotent politicians and terrorists.

Today the context is radically different. Republicans are represented proportionately in government and much better in public services while the employment demographic has also improved drastically.

Republicans today don't have sympathy with Rira any more than most Brits have sympathy for the BNP.

Rira don't represent republicans in the north, they represent themselves.

There are shitbags in ebery community and they will use the history of the troubkes as an excuse to indulge their perversions.

The best way to keep the rest of safe is to make sure that none of them, natonalist or loyalist, have guns.