Choosing the Right Firearm

Personally, I don't think it's possible to call yourself prepared for much of anything without having a firearm. Firearms are great tools for both defense and securing food. Firearms in our day are like swords of old, everyone should have one, and those who don't will end up just like those who didn't back in the day when things hit the fan... dead! I don't care what your opinion on weapons is, but think about this for a minute. What happens when there is no Walmart to run to for food? If you are a vegetarian... good for you, you are very healthy, but I hope you grow a huge year round garden! Fishing and hunting would become a primary source of food for you and your family! You will also need to be able to protect what you do have from freeloaders thinking they can just take from others what they haven't taken thought of to provide for themselves. Our society has promoted a lifestyle that is dependent upon getting something for nothing. That mentality won't simply disappear when disaster strikes! So the question is... which one is right for you?

I'm not sure that there is a definite answer for everyone as to which type of firearm is best in your situation. Ideally, multiple firearms of different types is best, but the important thing is that you are skilled with what you have. Don't just buy a gun and put it away in your closet and expect to be an expert marksman when the time comes. Go shooting! Get comfortable with your weapon! Know it's limits and have plenty of ammo for it.

Some factors to consider when thinking about choosing your preferred weapon include, affordability, versatility, range, and ammo availability. Unfortunately most of us have budget restraints when it comes to buying guns. Often times though, you get what you pay for so find the best of both worlds. If you can't buy multiple guns, consider some that fit multiple functions. For instance, a shotgun is great for home defense and foul hunting, but you can buy different rounds for it such as slugs or buckshot that make it great for large game. AR-15's and AK 47's also fit into the versatile category because they are light and great tactical weapons but also powerful enough to bring down large game. Shotguns and 22's have the cheapest ammo and their ammo is widely available whereas specific calibers of hunting rifles will be more difficult to find ammo in a shortage. In the event of an invasion, what ammo would the invader likely use. Right now I would say, .223, .308, or 7.62x39, so using something that has one of those calibers would be beneficial. Pistols are great, concealable, and awesome for personal defense, but if it came down to using it for survival, good luck bringing down a deer or even a rabbit with one of those. Another thing to think about is how hard the weapon kicks. Are you afraid to pull the trigger because of the kick? Would that moment of hesitation for that jerk of the gun cause you to miss or be a deadly mistake?

In my humble opinion, that's right I said IMHO, I believe that a tactical 22 or AR-22 is the best all around, single must have gun. If you could only pick one, this is it! Here is why, first, the gun is very affordable and can generally be found for 3-4 hundred. I've seen them as low as $250 for a decked out AR-22. They go on sale, keep your eyes peeled! These guns are light and have ZERO recoil so even the wimpiest of women, or children could shoot them and not be scared. Ammo is CHEAP! and it can be found anywhere! It offers a good home defense ability as well as the capability to hunt. Get a good scope and get dead on with one of these babies and you could bring down a deer with shot through the neck or head. While it doesn't have the knockdown power of its .223 or .308 counterparts, your aim won't waiver with each shot so you could easily pump multiple shots out accurately and trust me, a .22 will still kill someone. The look also carries the fear of the higher caliber weapons. That is why this is my weapon of choice!

Keep It Ready

I've noticed lately that it's really easy to let your kit fall apart after you've put it together, especially if it doubles as your camping bag. Getting practice in with your kit is a great idea, but it's equally important to REMEMBER to restock and reorganize it after use and periodically.

Also, keep track of expiration dates on the food and other consumable items in your kits and home storage. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how disappointing it is to open something you thought was fine to eat just to find it has long since spoiled, leaving you with an added burden instead of added comfort.

As for your gear, make sure you swap out clothing based on the seasons you're going into, and check them during the seasons for damage from insects or leaks from other items in your kit (had a buddy burner leak out in my bag once...). Any items that may require routine maintenance should also get your attention at this time, such as water filters that may need cleaning, metal equipment that would need oiling, or knives that would need sharpening and polishing.

Doing this kit maintenance will not only keep it fresh and ready, but will also keep you savvy on where everything is located in your kit, as well as keeping your knowledge of how to use it fresh on your mind.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE is the fact that a kit you keep in your car will expire many times faster than one you keep in your climate-controlled home. Changing temperatures cause food to expire faster and cause fabrics to break down. I've seen water resistant linings in bags crumble off and the cloth become almost transparent doing nothing but sitting still inside a vehicle. Decide now if you really want to leave a kit in your car (it is doable, but the right supplies for long term storage will be harder to procure) or if it's feasible to bring it inside with you wherever you need it to (mainly work).

How to Not Become Part of the Problem

We've all seen them on the news: those people who have either taken to the fetal position or have become criminals of opportunity in the face of an emergency. Looters, violent protesters, and gangs tend to only add more tragedy to tragedy. The unprepared, in essence, do the same. Both groups make recovery operations much harder for everyone, themselves included.

We always talk of having your supplies ready and knowing how to use them so I'll spare your eyes that trouble for now. Just note that being wise with your supplies doesn't always mean hoarding them away to only be used by you and your family.

Witnessed in infamous incidents such as Hurricane Katrina and Ferguson, Missouri are the opportunists. These predators seek to gain benefit from a disaster instead of using their time and energy to help get through it. I hope I'm preaching to the choir when I talk of this, but the concept that a confusion in law and order is a green-light to commit crimes is WRONG! This behavior makes it more dangerous and time-consuming for emergency crews to enter affected areas and perform their much-needed jobs to restore order and livability for citizens like you and I. On the other side of this coin, it would not be wise or helpful to go out into the streets as an armed vigilante to try and do the "peacekeeping" by yourself either.

If you want to go a step beyond not becoming part of the problem the next logical step is to become part of the solution. Check with your local government to see about becoming part of their Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). The training from this program teaches you how to handle basic emergency equipment and different things you can do to aid emergency crews, such as going door to door and marking homes for wounded and casualties.

It's your choice where you want to stand on this spectrum, but make up your mind ahead of time, because fence-sitters don't help either!