Violence Quotes in Mortal Engines

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

Chudleigh Pomeroy stepped forward, holding a blunderbuss. (32.31)

Finally, the cowardly old men stand up for something. However, it's surprising that the normally non-violent Historian bookworms are armed with deadly weapons. Could there possibly have been a non-violent solution to this problem?