Firearms in Your Preparedness Supplies

[mekender]

http://preparednesspro.wordpress.com/20 ... -supplies/

An excellent read:

In my opinion, any person who claims to be an expert on emergency preparedness but does NOT address the issue of firearms as a necessary component to preparedness, is either a coward for not wanting to discuss such “delicate” yet vital issue, or still has a long way to go in their quest for knowledge. I have read and studied literally hundreds of books and “expert websites” on the topic of emergency preparedness and I have NEVER seen firearms addressed for any other purpose other than for “hunting” or the need to kill a roving pack of wild dogs. This verges on malpractice in my book. Whether or not you can start a fire with a twig and a rock, or make winter clothing out of foam, or make yeast from the wild is useless if you are dead. The whole purpose of getting prepared with proper food, water, and other key items is so that you will be able to provide for yourself and your family during an emergency state. And you will NOT be able to do so if you are not able to suitably defend yourself as well.

If you are one of those who are foolish enough to say “I don’t want to have to survive. I hope I’m just killed in the earthquake (or whatever crisis),” then I’m sorry to be so blunt, but you think like a selfish coward, or at the very least, someone who has not thought about the ramifications of such a philosophy. Get off your whiney butt and figure out what you have to survive and thrive FOR, think outside of yourself, and then get to work. I thank God that our Founding Fathers never hoped for a short life just so that they would not have to endure a “bit” of discomfort.

OK, now that that’s out of the way, let’s go down a more diplomatic path. If you’ve been considering (wisely, I might add) including a firearm or two for self-defense AND hunting purposes in your supplies for surviving an emergency, this is definitely the article for you. Also, if you already believe you’re suitably “ready” to defend yourself in a crisis because you have the necessary firearms, this is ALSO the article for you to use as a gauge to ensure you’ve considered all of the necessary information. In my opinion, there are six absolute necessary basics any prepared home needs—and a firearm is one of them. The six absolute basics are wheat (or alternative grain), powdered milk, honey, salt, water, and firearm defense.

Just a quick reminder as to WHY your emergency preparedness supplies need defending—think strung-out druggies who can’t get their hands on their “fix”, desperate souls who will do ANYTHING to compensate for their lack of preparedness, criminals suddenly loose from the fallen walls of a prison due to a large earthquake, or the most organized and violent gang in the U.S. roving your streets believing that what’s yours is theirs—MS-13. Remember, this isn’t about whether you will or won’t share your stores with others—although sharing should always be YOUR choice, not mandated by the threat of violence from another. This is about you protecting your life, your virtue, and your safety in the midst of chaos that will inevitably ensue after a economic collapse, major disaster, or an attack on our citizenry.

A firearm is only the beginning. A firearm is useless without two other very obvious components—at least 1,000 rounds to go with it, and every adult in your home possessing the skill and knowledge of how to competently use it—even in a situation of climatic emotions and stress. Let’s start with the firearm.

There are three vital firearms I would recommend that no home be without. First, a handgun. Second, a shotgun. And third, a rifle, in this order.

In selecting a handgun, consider ALL of the adults in your home who will be using it.

Side note: Ladies, PLEASE don’t let me hear you utter the words, “My husband will be the only one who needs to use the guns.” That is a ridiculous notion coming from an otherwise smart, independent and uber-prepared sex. What IF your husband isn’t around? What IF your husband is severely ill? What IF the would-be criminal decides to automatically take him out because they see him as the “obvious” strong one in your home? Then what do you do when you need to defend yourself? It’s absolutely naïve to believe that the woman of the home does not also need to obtain this information and skill or that she would not want to have it. I assure you that in the event that your children and other loved ones may be threatened, that inane motherly instinct will kick in and you will NEED such information and skill. Storing food and supplies and knowing how to use them is one thing. Knowing how to defend it is JUST as important as knowing how to make yeast rise though. (See also http://womenofcaliber.wordpress.com/200 ... a-firearm/)

A handgun is portable and ensures the element of surprise. And the element of surprise will be critical in defending yourself when a state of lawlessness, looting, and pillaging occurs. The ammo is less expensive (for practice et al) and it is typically your least expensive firearm to obtain. It is useful for defense inside and outside of your home without exposing yourself to being armed unnecessarily.

Your primary concerns in selecting a handgun should be

1. Grip
2. Ease of loading
3. Ease of use (such as mechanics, ability to clear stoppages, etc)
4. Reliability (and safety)
5. Cost of ammo
6. Ease of assembly/disassembly

Be sure to select a handgun that fits well in your hands, first and foremost. Don’t get caught up in what caliber it is. As long as it’s a .9 mm or higher caliber, it will work well enough for self-defense. It’s not a bad idea to have one handgun for each anticipated adult in your home. While that is more costly, it is a worthy goal. (I know that I will be asked this question, so just so you know, I prefer my Glock as my handgun. I can’t get that thing to fail, even when it’s dirty, wet, or muddy. And in an emergency, I don’t have time for my form of self-defense to fail.)

The next firearm I recommend is a shotgun. Again, don’t get caught up in caliber or brand. Go back to the previous 6 criteria I’ve provided in making your choice. A shotgun is ideal for in-home self-defense. There’s nothing that rattles the nerve and resolve of a criminal more than that famous sound of a shotgun being “racked” for defensive use. As shotgun rounds spread out into a 4 to 8 inch circumference when they are expelled, they have a sure stopping power regardless of where they hit your opponent. Also, a shotgun round does not penetrate through walls of a home as a rifle or even a handgun round can. (I recommend using the hollow point self-defense handgun rounds for home self-defense for this reason, among others.)

Rifles give you the power of self-defense at a greater distance from your opponent. The element of surprise is definitely present when you’re shooting from 50 meters and you’re less likely to manifest your defensive position this way. As such, they are ideal for protecting a larger radius area as opposed to using in face to face combat. A good rifle will typically be your most expensive self-defense investment. The ammo rounds are more expensive as well. However, I consider them a necessary component to not only protect my home and family, but my community as well should the need arise.

Be sure that you have at least 1,000 rounds of ammo for each caliber type in your home. Ammo will indeed be a high-value trade item in an emergency, and this amount of ammo will ensure your readiness for most circumstances.

Lastly, be sure that you get appropriate skill and knowledge of the use of your firearm, not just in the mechanics, but the mentality that is required to use them as well. There are a number of classes, I’m sure, in your area which can improve your shooting skills and maximize your comfort with your firearm. My husband and I also teach a proprietary self-defensive firearm class regularly here in Utah, and we travel elsewhere for groups of 24-30. (Visit www.womenofcaliber.com for more information) So you don’t have an excuse not to learn, right?

Remember you don’t pull a firearm to scare someone. You use a firearm to stop someone, plain and simple. And THAT’S how you ensure your ability to use all of your preparedness supplies that you’ve so faithfully worked to accumulate.

If you would like Kellene Bishop to present an Emergency Preparedness message for your community or church group, please contact us at 801-788-4133. Ms. Bishop is an experienced speaker and demonstrator on Emergency Preparedness topics and has created a great “Preparedness Party” platform which makes the learning of such a topic more enjoyable for all.
Copyright 2009 Kellene Bishop. All rights reserved.
You are welcome to repost this information so long as it is credited to Kellene Bishop.

[postmanone]

I would add one piece of equipment to a preparedness supplies, body armor. It is still available and the cost is not that high. I picked up one for $150. It is easy to wear. Also, for the hand gun, have a comfortable shoulder harness. Mine is very comfortable fits well with my vest and I can carry 200 rounds easy, plus it can hold a tactical knife. With a light jacket, it is hard to tell anything is out of the ordinary.

[Termite]

I would add one piece of equipment to a preparedness supplies, body armor. It is still available and the cost is not that high.

+ 1

[Sea Dawg]

I wrote a three page disaster prep guide for my extended family and friends several years ago. I specifically addressed weapons, though I must admit I watered it down a bit because of several GFW in the group. Here are two extracted paragraphs.

DisasPrep.doc

[jetfxr69]

Be sure to select a handgun that fits well in your hands, first and foremost. Don’t get caught up in what caliber it is. As long as it’s a .9 mm or higher caliber, it will work well enough for self-defense.

0.9mm? Needlegun?

[Sea Dawg]

I'll be glad to post my entire disaster prep guide if some of you would like to see it. It is only about three pages. I think I covered most of the bases without getting too preachy or into too much excrutiating detail. It is more of a general guide. You fill in the details to suit your own particular circumstances. Or you can email me and I will send it to you. No copyright-pass it around.

[First Shirt]

I'd be interested, for sure. If nothing else, I can compare my plan to yours, and see if I've missed anything.

[skb12172]

Let's have it, Sea Dawg. Please and thank you!

[Sea Dawg]

Here it is.

Disaster Preparedness

If the attacks of 9/11 didn't drive the point home, then the hurricanes on the Gulf Coast, the earthquakes in Asia, and the wild fires in California should, that we must all be prepared to fend for ourselves for a while following any great disaster. No matter how well the local authorities have prepared for and then execute disaster relief operations they will be greatly over extended. That is what makes an incident a disaster. Unless the area you live in is directly affected don't expect to see many police or firefighters very soon. As a society we depend on our technology to provide our daily needs of water, power, food, communications, and sewage treatment. These systems can be destroyed or damaged in a natural disaster, civil unrest, or terror attack and it takes time to restore them. We, not nanny government, are responsible to ourselves and our family members to be ready to ride out a disaster until repairs are made and organized help arrives.

You need to consider two scenarios: 1) You need to evacuate the area you live in quickly, or 2) You are safe at home, but there is no power, water, sewage, and roads are blocked. In either case, forget the government dictum to have three days worth of supplies. You should be able to support your self and family for at least a week, preferably two weeks or more.

For scenario 1 you should have a "bug-out" kit, with a list, so that you can load your car(s) and leave within 10 or 15 minutes. This should include easily prepared food, multi-vitamins to supplement your diet, water for a week, weapons, changes of clothing, personal hygiene items, camping gear (packs, canteens, sleeping bags, matches, lighter fluid, tent, cook gear), cash $$ (remember the ATMs and credit card machines probably aren't working), vital papers (insurance, birth/marriage/death certificates, passports, deeds, computer disks, phone numbers and email addresses), photo albums, expensive jewelry, pet food, leash and harness or carrier if you have pets, diapers and formula for infants, prescription medicines, and a first aid kit. Be prepared to hike out too, so have a basic load of the above in a backpack of a weight you can manage and a good pair of hiking shoes. Make sure to dress for the season where you are going, i.e. if you are going to the mountains take winter clothing even though it may be mild where you are. All of you red heads and blondes out there: HATS!

NEVER let the fuel tank in any vehicle in your household get below half full. You should have at least 200 miles range in your tank at all times so you don't have to wait in long lines for gas (if the pumps are even working), and remember that bumper to bumper traffic, as at rush hour, really uses up fuel with little gain in distance. Keep a 2-1/2 or 5 gallon gas/diesel can at home, if allowed, and use it and refill every few months since gasoline does not store well. Keep your car, including tires (all five of them) in good repair, and have flashlights, spare batteries, jumper cables, shovel, axe, jack knife, tools, a few spare quarts of lube oil, and leather work gloves. Keep some water and food in a small pack in the car in case you are away from home when disaster strikes.

Keep road maps for a several state area around where you live. Know alternate routes to your bug-out destination in case one way is blocked by traffic or damaged roads. I also keep a copy of my family and neighbors’ addresses, phone numbers, and Email addresses in each car and in each family member’s wallet. Have an alternate destination in mind too. If you can’t get to your primary destination, see if you can stay with friends. Bringing your own food also makes it more likely they will welcome you. AVOID ORGANIZED TEMPORARY DISASTER SHELTERS! They may seize your food stuffs (for the common good, of course) and weapons.

For scenario 2 you need all of the above, but you can store more at home for an extended period. (I have about 85 gal of water at home, 25 of it is portable). Remember that you may eventually have to drive out. Keep extra batteries for flashlights and radios (or get a hand crank/solar model that does not need batteries). Get some "walkabout" two-way radios or portable CB radios too. If you have an electric generator and/or a chainsaw keep fuel on hand for them. Have a good gas-bottle or charcoal grill or Coleman stove for cooking and boiling water from the water mains. If being snowed-in is a possibility have firewood too. Keep a few gallons of fuel for your Coleman lamp and stove if you have them. If the disaster damage is likely to include damaged water and sewer lines (earthquake/explosion/flood) then immediately shut off the water valve coming into your home. Remember there is still water in your water heater and in the toilet tanks (do not use in-tank cleansers). If you have a well, do you need power to pump water, or is a hand pump an option too? Make sure to keep at least two weeks of prescription medications on hand. Make sure to have MANUAL can openers! Remember, plan on the power and city water being off for several weeks. Replace your stored water once or twice a year.

Make sure your house is prepared too. Is your water heater strapped to the wall? Will things fall to the floor if the house gets a good shaking? If your house is in or near open space is there a 100-foot defensible area to protect against wild fire? Flammables moved away from the house? Can the house and the yard handle high winds? In a blizzard be able to safely clear excessive snow from your roof and doorways. Know how to turn off the electric power, gas, and water. If in tornado country do you have a storm shelter or strong room? If so, keep you survival gear and food in there too.

Do you have family members or neighbors with handicaps/special needs? Help them prepare their house, car, and bug-out kit, and include them in your plans.

Keep some food and bottled water in your desk or locker at work too in case you get stranded there.

Apartment or condo dwellers: How secure is your building against forced entry? Do security doors fail to the unlocked condition if the power goes out? How secure is your apartment? If you live on the third floor or below are there windows or balconies that looters can access with ladders or grappling hooks? How secure are your inside and balcony doors? If you live on upper floors how will you get out if there is earthquake damage or a fire? Is your car in a lot outside or in a garage in the basement? Will they flood? Can the parking garage doors be opened manually if the power is out? If you live on the second or third floor, many emergency equipment supply stores have wire Jacob’s ladders you can hook over a window sill or balcony and roll down to climb down for escape in the event fire or earthquake has blocked the inner passageways. If you go out this way have a rope to lower some of your survival equipment to the ground. Have your most vital stuff in a backpack. Does the building management have a disaster plan or disaster material stocked in the building? If not, maybe you can bring the issue up with the tenants association.

If high water is in one of your local disaster scenarios you may want to keep a canoe or inflatable boat (4-6 passengers) handy. Make sure you know how to use them. Have lifejackets, paddles, mooring and anchor lines, and means to tie off cargo so if you capsize you don't lose all of your survival goodies. This section does not apply to flash floods, tsunamis or storm surges. If you have advance warning of those then get out to high ground. See scenario 1. On that note, find out the elevation above sea level of your house or apartment, place of work, and the routes in between them.

First Aid: Those little kits you get in the drug store or auto parts store are a waste of money. Build your own. Include splints (wood and stiff wire mesh), heavy bandages as well as band aids, 3 and 4 inch gauze pads, tape, butterfly strips for closing wounds, a large bottle of betadine or similar disinfectant, Bactine, pain killers, disinfectant wipes, cold and flu medicines, anti-diarrheal, rubber gloves, water disinfectant tablets. If you are trained in their use include a BP cuff, stethoscope, plastic airway and oxy mask, and simple tools such as tweezers, forceps, and scalpels. Keep your kit in a suitably sized water and airtight plastic or metal container and mark it appropriately. Take a first aid and CPR course. See web sites for Brigade Quartermaster or Cheaper than Dirt for first aid gear not usually found in drug stores. Periodically check the expiration dates of prescription and over-the-counter medications and replace as needed.

Storage: A lot of the above isn't used every day so they can be stored in bins ready to go. I recommend large heavy-duty plastic boxes, preferably air tight, which can take some abuse. Get some large coolers so you can pack stuff from the refrigerator and keep it cold until you eat it or can get some ice. Surplus stores, some sporting goods and gun shops have large auto-cannon ammunition boxes, which are steel, very sturdy but heavy, and air and water tight. Two I keep in my truck are 17in L x 10in W x 14in D. One has two eyebolts so I can put padlocks on it. Make sure you can lift your bins/boxes when loaded or know if you need two people to lift them. An emergency situation is NOT the time to throw your back out of kilter.

Weapons: I recommend at least one repeating firearm, with the skill and training to use it, several boxes of ammunition, and extra magazines if it is a magazine fed weapon. Remember that the police and National Guard will be very busy, if they are functioning at all. There are bad people and lazy, panic-stricken people out there who are relying on YOU to make THEIR disaster preps for them and will demand that you share. Looters, even armed, will usually be discouraged by the sight of armed residents or a shot in the dirt between their feet. You don't necessarily have to shoot them, but remember they will have no compunctions about hurting you and members of your family. If they are armed (gun, knife, club, axe, etc.) then don’t bother with a warning shot. (Only the police have to say “Freeze, drop your weapon!”). You have the MORAL RIGHT AND DUTY to defend yourself and others against assaults. Ask yourself “what happens to my kids or my infirm parents if something happens to me?” An assault on you IS an assault on them. There are other survival uses for guns: shooting game for food if it becomes necessary, and defense against feral dogs or other beasts. A handgun AND a rifle or shotgun (12 or 20 gauge) with various types of loads would be better.

Money: I’ll mention again here to keep some cash, several hundred dollars in small bills (5, 10, 20), in a secure place at home (and maybe even some in your car). Don’t count on banks being open or ATM/credit card machines working. Depending on how bad the situation is, some gold or silver coins could be handy. If you have the room, for both scenarios 1 and 2 you may want to keep some liquor and cigarettes on hand (even if you don’t drink or smoke) for barter purposes.

Fitness: Maintain your physical fitness. As with your car above, keep yourself in a good state of repair. A disaster is stressful, and you may find yourself having to do a lot of walking and climbing while toting a pack, helping move wreckage and debris, or carrying the injured. Do you have the upper body strength to climb up or down an escape ladder while wearing your emergency pack? You can’t help yourself or your family and friends if you are exhausted or injure your back.

Make sure all adult and teenage members of your household know how to function in an emergency, and younger kids too depending on their maturity. Do they know where keys are kept, how to safely use equipment such as temporary stoves and lanterns, how to turn off the electric power, water and gas, how to get water from the water heater, how to safely use firearms if you have them? Do they know where your phone list is so they can contact you or others if needed, and if possible? This is especially important if you are not at home when disaster strikes, or if you are one who must respond (cop, firefighter, active duty military or National Guard, medical worker, etc.) and have to report for duty.

Now that you are prepared and don't have to worry about day-to-day existence you can go out and help your neighbors by searching for casualties, clearing streets, helping the injured, baby sitting so others are freed up to give aid, instead of sitting at home bitching because the "gummint" hasn't come by to bail you out of your own lack of foresight and common sense.

[D5CAV]

Firearms and supplies are one thing, but the Hildabeest is correct that "it takes a village". If you are good at stocking up on ammo, money, food and water, but forget about organizing your "Kommando", you are merely providing a convenient rest and resupply stop for the next "posse" to come down the road.

It's best if your "Kommando" are all neighbors, but that's hard to control these days with fair housing laws. Try to keep the good "Burghers" who are members of your "Kommando" within a 5 mile radius, and decide which homes are the most defensible. House 1 may become indefensible or destroyed in a disaster scenario, so have a backup plan for House 2 and House 3. Those "Burghers" who offer up their homes as potential rally points have to understand they are the host, not necessarily the boss.

Train often. Make it a family affair and make it fun. Hopefully, the wives can get along. That helps keep "you're shooting again this weekend!" down to a minimum.

I think the English term is "Militia", but that gets you put on a terror watch list. "Kommando" and "Burgher" don't show up -- yet.