How much is too much

Hello, I am a new member to ATS, and I wanted to post this to see if anyone can relate to me. I am 23 years old and a U.S Marine (no longer active duty). It wasnt until I served in the Marines that I got a survival mind set, and now that im out, my subconscious mind has me preparing for a SIT X, not on a large scale but enough to put me behind on my bills once in a while. I work a normal job with normal pay, so I dont have money to blow,but I try to reserve atleast 50 to 100 dollars each paycheck to buy stuff like 5 gallon water jugs M.R.E.s, mags/ammo and other stuff along those lines.
My question is How much stuff is too much? For example I have two handguns with about 200 rds and a 12guage with 100 rds, along with a couple boxes of mres, 2 gas masks, and 4 five gallon water jugs, and alot of little stuff in between, now a lot of people would consider me a "survival nut" just for having this stuff, its not really a "water cooler" subject so I cant talk to a lot of people about this stuff.Somtimes I ask myself why im wasting money on this stuff, that the chances of anything really going down are slim, but then I tell myself Id rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. With the way things are these days I just want to be able to keep my family and I safe and protected, and too be able to stand my ground if and when the man comes around.
So I was just hopeing that some of you would share your input and to see if anyone is in a similar situation. Thanks
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[edit on 8-10-2007 by Gemwolf]

What exactly do you expect to happen that you are supposed to be able to defend yourself against?

Anybody organized who would want to do something to you will be in larger numbers and have weapons as well.

Sure, if your country becomes under attack and the entire civilization breaks down and you get anarchy, then you may be able to survive easier with some equipment, but... I think I would actually prefer death in such a scenario myself.

Why are you afraid of passing on by the way? I hear the next existence is much better than this one.


[edit on 8-10-2007 by Copernicus]

Originally posted by tac109
Hello, I am a new member to ATS, and I wanted to post this to see if anyone can relate to me. I am 23 years old and a U.S Marine (no longer active duty). It wasnt until I served in the Marines that I got a survival mind set, and now that im out, my subconscious mind has me preparing for a SIT X, not on a large scale but enough to put me behind on my bills once in a while. I work a normal job with normal pay, so I dont have money to blow,but I try to reserve atleast 50 to 100 dollars each paycheck to buy stuff like 5 gallon water jugs M.R.E.s, mags/ammo and other stuff along those lines.
My question is How much stuff is too much? For example I have two handguns with about 200 rds and a 12guage with 100 rds, along with a couple boxes of mres, 2 gas masks, and 4 five gallon water jugs, and alot of little stuff in between, now a lot of people would consider me a "survival nut" just for having this stuff, its not really a "water cooler" subject so I cant talk to a lot of people about this stuff.Somtimes I ask myself why im wasting money on this stuff, that the chances of anything really going down are slim, but then I tell myself Id rather have it and not need it then need it and not have it. With the way things are these days I just want to be able to keep my family and I safe and protected, and too be able to stand my ground if and when the man comes around.
So I was just hopeing that some of you would share your input and to see if anyone is in a similar situation. Thanks

Well you sound pretty well decked out to me. Basic stuff like first aid kit, am/fm radio (portable), signal flares etc shouldn't be overlooked either.

And a really cool getaway car!

We have all been there. how much is too much is a question that only you can answer. Start with looking deep down in your mind. what is there?

Your mind is your best piece of equipment. the rest is frosting on the cake. You really have to Taylor your equipment on two things. first is what do you think will happen and second is what part of the world/country do you live in.

It takes a lot more stuff to help with cold survival then it does warm survival.

A piece of advise from somebody who has been there done that. Don't let your bills go. it will bite you in the hind end quicker then marshal law will. 90% of survival is just getting threw the day to day.

If you have been tossed out on the street before sit-x occurs all the equipment in the world wont help.

You don't need guns. I'm 35 now and never had a use for one.

reply to post by jedimiller


No offense to you Jedimiller but you are one person and quite young at that. In your life and in your area you may not need/want guns but some of us have needed them. It is better to have a tool you never use then to not have it and end up needing it.

As a citizen who has lived in a hurricane zone I can tell you that you have to be prepared. Modern society is only a few days away from anarchy.

Sure everyone is all nice on a day to day basis - that's because things are manageable. Following a natural disaster (or sit x) people will continue to function, cooperate and help each other for about two or three days.

Then haman nature kicks in. It starts being more about you and your family and your comfort and safety. That's life. If you don't look out for your interests by being prepared, no one will.

AA's point about bills, etc is excellent. You have to have a zone of security and retreat. Hard to do if you are homeless. Budget yourself and do what you can. However, survival is more about knowledge and skills than gear -of course gear helps too!

As far as guns go. My dad gave me my only gun when I was 18 and moved out of the house. I thought he was crazy. My friends and I got a big laugh out of it. I didn't think he was so crazy five years later when at three o'clock in the morning a wanted criminal (a stranger) was trying to force his way into my house in an isolated area of N.C. If it was not for that gun, I might have been just another crime statistic. He was apprehended by the police while exiting my property after I threatened to blow his head off if he did not leave. That silly little gun bought me 10 minutes until the cops came.

Originally posted by tac109
I just want to be able to keep my family and I safe and protected,
and too be able to stand my ground if and when the man comes around.

are your handguns registered ?

IF/WHEN martial law is declared
and the troops start going door to door
if your handguns are registered,
they may wreck your house looking for them !!
they won't take no for an answer
and if your handguns are not registered and then found
then you may be deemed a criminal, or even a terrorist
check out the Military Commissions Act from last year
so, depending on where you live, neighbourhood
if you have a back yard, divide up your supplies
and bury them in a cache, ( without being seen )
something else to think about
how many people know about your weapons, food supplies ?
can you trust these people ?
would they give you up for a few extra favours from martial law ?
would these people steal your buried supplies ?
i don't mean to be so negative here
but if your handguns are registered
when martial law comes to your front door
and if they ask about your handguns, don't resist
and they will probably still search your house ( you're a gun-lover )

if your guns are not registered, then start thinking about hiding spots
but allow the martial law forces to find the shotgun and shells

1 look into making some caches out in the county/backyard
2 research storing a weapon for a long period of time in said cache

as angryamerican said " Your mind is your best piece of equipment "

research different options for various " what ifs "

bottom line
if you want to make a stand with martial law at your door
GOOD LUCK !

just my 2c

[edit on 10/8/2007 by CANADIAN-guerilla]

There was a time back in the late 70's that I had more firepower than the local police department in the small town we lived in. I was at the height of my survivalist mode and was waiting for any horde of people to just try to take my stuff. Over the years, I sold off most of my guns as I didn't want them around my small kids. My choice and I'll live with it.

I'm older and much smarter.

You need to sit down and write a list of likely things you think will happen to you, only. Then prioritize your needs. Are guns and ammo more important than water and food. You need to figure this out.

In the last couple of years, my kids thought I was going crazy by buying the stuff I have. My kids are from +30 to the youngest at 18. I have a medical kit that would stock a small clinic including minor surgery. I have radiac equipment from more than several Geiger counters and dosimeters, along with NBC suits and related equipment. More than several weeks of food and water for about 10 people. Communication equipment for contacting people around the world by several different means (yes, I'm a ham operator also). BUT, I saved guns for the last.

But more importantly, my kids have finally noticed that when stuff happens, who does take care of business so to speak. They all saw Katrina and after effects. Even with the preparedness stuff coming out just recently from Homeland Security, they have noticed I'm not some crazy guy that happens to be dad.

Too much stuff, naw, you can't have enough. Keeping it balanced so it doesn't effect your daily life is the key. Good luck in your quest...

Originally posted by jedimiller
You don't need guns. I'm 35 now and never had a use for one.

With all due respect, that is because other people are doing the job for you. Whether you pick up a gun or not you are protected by men and women carrying guns.

Absolutely, isn't it said that we sleep safe and sound do to the fact that highly trained men and women are willing to do violence on our behalf.

Priority is key. Everything you accumulate will be subject to confiscation if you cannot defend it. A marshal law sit x will require deception. Natural disaster, Economic distaster, Electrical disaster will require defending food supplies and hunting. Just like Katrina, many will look for the Gubment and when they don't show, as said before, 'human nature kicks in'. Not a good thing!

Ammo and Food, maybe another shotgun. A twin, so you can interchange parts if necessary. And a good variety of shells.

[edit on 8-10-2007 by HimWhoHathAnEar]

reply to post by jedimiller


If the day comes, and the SHTF, I only have one question for you. What would you like on your tombstone, provided I have the time to waste?

Originally posted by jedimiller
You don't need guns. I'm 35 now and never had a use for one.

You also tried to nuke a hotdog in the microwave into the Matrix.


You DO need guns, and you'll be glad you have them, when the time finally arises.

Aside from food/water sources, shelter, protection, you also need to think of ways to keep warm, clothing, etc. Ways to build fires, emergency routes drawn up, lists of contacts and how to get to them.

Extreme things like "cool getaway cars" are bs, because should all hell break loose, there will be plenty of abandoned vehicles to choose from.

The biggest thing however, is your mind.

I agree that any survival kit should have at least some kind of firearm,that should really go without saying.I sleep darn good at night because I have my .45 within a seconds reach, you never know what you might have to wake up to in the middle of the night, if a gun is not needed, it wont be seen, if it is needed it might be heard. I was just watching a video on youtube that showed the asians on rooftops in L.A. during the riots, their stores wernt destroyed because any would-be luders saw that they were carrying guns, if they only had baseball bats...they might have been killed.

So how much is to much?
Humm interesting question I sometimes ask myself. I'd can say I'm prepared to an extent, but thats the point to be prepared right? Well my wife and family think I'm nuts and drive my self crazy over nothing but hey I like that saying better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.

I'm not scared either which is good knowing that I'm going to be ready for anything. The only person who can answer the question is you and only you. You'll know what you have and what needs protecting and how to protect it.

I'd say a Tank would be a bit to much, then again if you feel you'll need one why not right.

Originally posted by jedimiller
You don't need guns. I'm 35 now and never had a use for one.

Relying the safety of yourself and your family on others is not being an independant man.

And declaring you are harmless on the internet forum? Yeah, 35 years old and you have learn NOTHING.

Sad.

To OP.

Don't worry about being over-prep. You are fine, I have seen people's gun safe with multiple M4s, AK-47s, AR-15s.

Until the day SHTF, who knows how much water, food, shelter and ammo one will need?

Better be safe than sorry, if you have the time, money and space, go ahead and stock pile And thanks for your past service in the Marines!



[edit on 9-10-2007 by docklands]

Originally posted by MichaelMyers

Extreme things like "cool getaway cars" are bs, because should all hell break loose, there will be plenty of abandoned vehicles to choose from.

Perfect!!!

Thanks for all your input everyone