Arm the Nation

[Bladerunner]

Some great posts there from both sides of the coin.

In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king. In the land of the unarmed, the man with the shotgun is king.

I do not want to stockpile a couple of years worth of food and have it taken by the first looter who comes along that is armed. In a perfect situation communities would get together post SHTF and work together but you will always get that element of society who expect everything for free.

In the TV series "Survivors" there was one guy who took over an entire supermarket because he was the only guy with a gun and wouldn't allow anyone near it.

In a TEOTWAWKI situation I almost wish it would be something like that TV series. I mean if 95% of the population was killed off, there would be a lot more to go round for the ones left.

If we have 60 million people fighting for food it aint gonna be pretty. I would like to know how far people would go if their children were starving to death and old Mrs. Smith, the prepper at the end of the street, looks like she has put weight on.

Parents say they would die for their kids. Would they Kill for them????? Maybe, maybe not, but I am sure they would loot or steal for them to keep them alive.

Be lucky and keep the posts coming.

[Ian]

Bladerunner, have you ever owned a gun?

There is a huge difference between the real world and that of films and television.

Guns are glamorised by the media and thus people think they are a source of power, the black hats always lose and the hero rides off into the sunset because he had a gun. The real truth is that using a gun against others results in horrific wounds and disruption to normal life that you probably can't imagine. Have you ever considered why you hardly ever see photos or interviews with those that have been shot, military or civilian. Try doing a Google search for such information, very little because it is so distressing. In the real world people don't just fall down with a neat hole in them ringed in red.

Real life is very different, a gun or two will not protect you nor will it make you invulnerable like the TV hero. "In the land of the unarmed, the man with the shotgun" would be removed quickly and quietly.

[diamond lil]

I'd have to agree wth that. I think younger folk always tend to compare real life with films and TV. I think that's naive because nothing in real life is like tv or films. It's always much harder and nastier.

[itsybitsy]

I'd have to agree wth that. I think younger folk always tend to compare real life with films and TV. I think that's naive because nothing in real life is like tv or films. It's always much harder and nastier.

I also am of the opinion that the world is NOT going to collapse into complete societal breakdown and lawlessness, with thousands of rampaging savages running amok in the streets, foaming at the mouth and killing each other for a can of Tesco Value beans and some tea bags.

[preppingsu]

It's always much harder and nastier.

I have to agree Lil.
We are law abiding citizens with obvious 'good' morals. However, even now there are some nasty people out there (some live down the road from me) who wouldn't think twice about getting physical to get what they want. More than likely they have weapons (we have had a shooting near by, plenty of knives etc).
This is not like the films, this is happening in my community.
What would I do/can I do to protect me and my own?
It will get worse as people realise they don't have enough money to feed their habit, buy their booze and fags.
In an area a little further away car crime has increased dramatically - scum are looking for things to sell for the above items.Probably scum from this community. It will only get worse, harder and nastier.

[janso]

I have mixed viwes on this topic... I have first hand experience on the object(s) of discussion on both their use and their end result. I understand those who dont believe that weapons would help them for protection and yes, they are just a tool at the end of the day, a tool that can be taken off you and used against you. The after effects for both the firer and the recipient differ in everyone, and yes it is totally different to the stereotyping of armed warfare portrayed on the screen. I think the big question everyone needs to answer is:

Would you feel safer pointing a weapon at someone or safer having one pointed at you or your loved ones?

If, hand on heart, you would feel safer, remember that they are a tool and a tool that needs regular practice with - if ever a time comes when it has to chamber a round, your skill will predict the conclusion. Quite a long subject on the mindset and mentality of owning and using for real but a decision that can only be made on an individual basis and no one can honestly say they would use it for real until AFTER they've squeezed the trigger...

My fleeting thoughts on a foreseeable topic of debate!!

[preppingsu]

no one can honestly say they would use it for real until AFTER they've squeezed the trigger..

Good point. You may be well practised at the firing range but when faced with another human being, however bad the situation, could you pull the trigger and harm or potentially lethally injure another. We might 'say' we will but doing is a different thing altogether.

Interesting debate!

[diamond lil]

..And add in the number of folk who would pull the trigger but in panic against the wrong people !
I don't like to see younger folk comparing all this stuff to films. That always makes me think of the first world war, & all the bored young men with this fabulous dream in their heads of great adventure and seeing a bit of life and getting some money etc- all rushed to join up in their millions and lasted only days in the mud.

[pol76]

I am in agreement with Janso a firearm is a tool the same as your spade and swiss army knife you have to get used to working with them to get the best from them

I have been involved in armed conflict and it is not nice I was sick the first time after the fire fight and could not go back to check the enermy my mate had to do it for me it is not like COD or some rambo film it is nasty,dirty,smelly and most of all stays with you and for all those who say I would kill for X item you are talking crapola

Every time we talk about gun control we look west how about looking east in to the euro zone and compare crime and gun control myself I do think that gun control in the uk is a tad over the top if I were a nasty man I could get a gun within a day from any big city

max

[Red Doe]

Well, I`m in favour and own a gun albeit an airgun, but loads of folks around me use guns too. Thing is, I never confuse fantasy with reality....I tan animal hides and practice taxidermy, plus eat wild meat...I am well aware that what a gun does to a beast, it`ll do to a human just the same.
I think as preppers, we`re more aware of what might be needed in a SHTF situation, but our innate responsibility and decency tends to mean we are stuck in the `everything`s still all right and lawful` mindset. Maybe we shouldn`t be...after all, isn`t the point of prepping to think what needs to happen after it`s all gone haywire and we can`t rely on legalities and lawfulness any more?