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Originally posted by victor was right
i have a question for anyone like STARCHILD....when the stormtroopers break into your property screaming for you to get on the ground and seeking to disarm and relocate you, what do you plan to do? is there any real chance for you to USE that arsenal of yours?
not really.
Originally posted by DeusEx
. . . However, SC does have the advantage over most of everyone else's preparations. He remains (fairly) mobile, seeing as he doesn't have everything and the kitchen sink. Also, having a big gun means that people will respect and fear you. When times get crazy, so do the people. A big gun will discourage bandits, and give those you protect a better sense of security. In a big old firefight against multiple adversaries, your pistol and rabbit rifle won't do much.
DE
Originally posted by dr_strangecraft
Well, DE, understand that SC has made several assumptions about a survival scenario, while I have made others of my own. I would be happy where I am (or will be in another month), so I won't have a reason to "bug out" when the fit hits the shan. The only reason to be mobile is if you decide to flee; in which case a pistol is much easier to hide in a refugee's rags than an assault rifle.
I won't be personally leading any resistance movements; I plan to help coordinate the efforts to rebuild and restore. Bandits won't be a problem for me because I won't be alone. I'm depending on my communities of church and lodge to provide safety so I can sleep sometimes. (and they are depending on me.)
As far as having a big gun goes, I think you've got it half right: People will fear you (but you'll also be hated rather than 'respected'). And that is a poor recipe for survival in the midst of chaos. If you read machiavelli, you know it's better to be respected than feared; but it's best of all to be loved.
You are welcome to your own style of survival, and such ideas are not without merit. But I'd choose my vigilant friends over your massive gun any day.
As far as " a big old firefight against multiple adversaries, your pistol and rabbit rifle won't do much. " That's true. But I won't be engaging in any big ole firefights. I'll leave that to you young turks who take each other out in the first week.
I already know who'll be covering my back; my community. Who will cover yours? A bunch of other guys with violent tendencies and massive firepower? Hmmm...
Originally posted by dr_strangecraft
I have been activitely upping my preparedness level since the mid-80's. Here are a few things that I see, meant a good-natured critique.
What if the goverment and criminals turn out not to be the problem?
I see on your list a lot of combat equipment. Much of it is expensive. Using ANY of it in a chotic/riot situation will draw combatants to you like a walmart. If I here your firepower going off, I'll no where to get some for free! Also, explosives are fine for the lone ninja. But they mess with your social life. Most chicks get nervous with you handling stuff like that, and won't pull for a long term relationship where C4 is stored in a shoebox under the bed.
I don't see you prepared very well for serious contagious disease. Just a thought.
I also see that you are well prepared to go on a mission. What if it's o.k. to stay where you are rt. now? No crime or govt oppression, just lots of hungry and needy (but friendly) neighbors. Are you prepared to be a force for good citizenship or law & order then? (If not, then you're a bandit, and will not live long enought to bother me, anyway.)
No fishing gear? No saw or real shovel? (have you ever dug anything bigger than a foxhole with a folding shovel? Neither has anyone else!)
Plenty of Big-game guns, but no rabbit rifle? No 22lr?
No seeds?
Batteries are only good for 10 hours. Consider a crank powered flashlight;
a crank-powered radio. Coleman makes 'em.
Did you know that water purification tablets contain iodine, and that the body cannot stand more than trace amounts in the system at once? You would develop thyroiditis, which is a permanent death of the thyroid system . . . thyroxin dependant for the rest of your life. Consider unscented, non-arsenic household bleach as a better and safer alternative.
No cough drops, or toilet paper? No toothpaste, or condoms, or BEER!!!???? Why live?
Seriously I respect your spirit.
My approach was transformed by a good friend who was trapped without drinkable water for 6 weeks after a hurricane. The army and redcross shipped water to the island, but as a single adult male, he only got a gallon a day, and 3 meals a week for the first two.
I learned from him about canned goods. They are cheaper, civilians understand them and will trade them.
Looking like a militia type scares the neighbors. Here is the best peice of advice you will ever get about survival preparedness:
No one is so powerful that he can afford to have enemies.