Starting Your Armory

If you’ve decided to take your personal or home defense seriously, you’re probably researching buying a few firearms, or perhaps you already own one or more. The world of firearms can be confusing, so I wanted to cover a few points every prospective gun owner should consider.

First, you need to ask yourself what the objective is. Are you planning for home defense, or is the gun going to be used for self-defense away from home? Or do you plan on hunting, and if so, what are you going to be shooting at? This distinction will start you down the right path.

Second, what is your experience with weapons? If you grew up with guns and have practiced a lot, you’re in a much different place than the person who’s never touched one.

If you read gun enthusiast publications you’re likely to hear everything from ‘buy as many guns as you can afford’ to ‘buy as few guns as possible’ and everything in between. My advice is to buy the weapons you expect to need and become an expert with them.So let’s get on to building your armory.

One of the best starting points for your armory is a revolver or semi-auto handgun that you can use for home, self-defense and even emergency hunting, and you can carry it with you discreetly. My favorite weapon for this purpose is the .357 Magnum, an all-around gun that is effective, easy to use and flexible.

By flexible I mean it shoots several different types of ammo and the ammo is widely available. There’s an old saying that the best gun is one you have with you when you need it, and with the .357 you can carry it with you without too much trouble. If you want additional capacity, I like the Glock 23, a .40 caliber semi auto that gives you the ability to carry eight more rounds than the five-shot .357.However, a semi-auto is a much more complex weapon both from an operational and maintenance standpoint. More can go wrong… so be honest about your own skill level before buying one.

Once you have a trusted handgun, I recommend you acquire a firearm for home defense, and in my opinion the hands-down winner would be a 12 gauge pump shotgun.It is a powerful and extremely versatile gun, because you can vary your ammunition based on your needs. You can shoot birdshot, buckshot, slugs, darts (flechette rounds), explosive fragments, bean bags, pepper gas, tear gas, rock salt, rubber slugs/buckshot, pyrotechnic whistles, bolo’s and even flares.With that range of ammunition you can kill almost anything you can imagine, except hunt game at long distances.

Much of personal and home defense is deterrence, and this is where the pump shotgun really shines. If some thug is scouting your place and is carrying a knife or a handgun and you show up on the front doorwith a shotgun in hand, he’s going to move on. You see, even if you’re skilled with a handgun, a person can survive and even continue firing after being hit, but with a shotgun, you’re almost guaranteed a powerful, knock-down hit and serious bleeding.

Nobody wants to face an angry homeowner with a shotgun, even if she’s a 5′ grandma. If you suffer the misfortune of facing an intruder in your home, the sound of that shotgun pumping has been known to send intruders running away… quickly.

Once you have a handgun and a shotgun, you have covered 95% of your defense needs. Anyone in your home who might handle the gun in an emergency should spend a lot of time at the range, training and shooting with both weapons.

Your third, and final component to your armory should be a rifle.The rifle gives you the ability to hunt or take down threats at a distance, and in conjunction with your other two weapons will cover virtually every need you might have.

Choosing the right rifle involves an evaluation of the stopping power, the likely uses, the range of the weapon, availability of parts and ammunition, and the weight.I also like to own different weapons that can shoot the same ammo, since it makes buying and stockpiling ammunition easy.

If you’ve purchased the .357 I recommended, one great option would be a lever-action rifle that uses the .357 magnum rounds.A lever gun is the rifle equivalent of a revolver; easy to use, easy to clean and simple and reliable when you need it. I think of my lever gun like a hammer in my toolkit… it’s really that versatile.

Now, if you want something with greater range, I recommend the .308 rifle.It has more power and precision at distance than the .357 lever rifle.It’s great for hunting many different types of game and is more effective than higher-powered, similar rifles.

One of the great things about the .308 rifle is it can fire the 7.62x51mm NATO rifle cartridge, the same round fired by the best battle rifles in the world. This means that your available ammunition now includes the most-produced rifle cartridge in the world.

These three or four firearms will make for a very robust armory that will cover almost any need. If you can envision a scenario where these weapons will not meet your need, you should probably be worried about escape and evasion rather than fighting.

The post Starting Your Armory appeared first on Off The Grid News.

Selco: How to Defend Your Home and Yourself When the SHTF

This article was originally published by Selco at The Organic Prepper

Editor’s Note: Have you ever wondered how to defend your home and yourself if the SHTF? In this interview, Selco provides us with information from his personal experience during the occupation of Bosnia. There are many lessons we can learn from his experience. ~ Daisy

What was the most likely crime you would encounter when the SHTF?

Where there is no regular system of law and order you have different kinds of groups who impose that “law and order.” In reality, it is lawlessness or law of whichever group is stronger.

To add to that, when there is not any kind of “law” it is then a matter of a no-rules situation.

That means all kind of violence was there.

In reality, it worked on many different levels. For example, you form an armed neighborhood watch. We did, of some 15 people, in our street. Sometimes, in the middle of the of night, we were faced with a group of 50 men demanding something from us. For example, one was a group of people in uniform who stated that they were government forces and they wanted to check our neighborhood for whatever reason.

We could obey or fight or negotiate. All combination were tested over the time, and sad truth is that when SHTF for serious there is gonna be many different groups who will “represent” government (or law, or order or you name it). But in reality, it all comes down to who will outsmart who.

The most likely crimes were connected with resources because simply in that time and city there was not enough resources.

So it was about who owned how much (resources), and ways to take those resources from other folks.

It worked on a low level. For example, a few guys could kill you in the street and take your possessions, or on a bigger level – a local gang (if strong enough) could own your part of town and terrorize you and other folks by taking your stuff with brute force.

How did you make your home less desirable to criminals?

First, it was important where your home is, even in urban settings your house can be kinda “isolated” or stand in a way that it clearly “sticks out.” That was bad, and you could not change it.

Then it was important what period of SHTF we are talking about. At the starting period of SHTF, it was bad if your house was close to some objects that were interesting for looting, like malls, gas stations, police stations, or similar.

Generally speaking, it was better if your home (we are talking about in the city) was in the area where it was more packed with houses, simply because it was easier to blend in. Also, as the situation worsened we could use close houses too as they became destroyed or abandoned, which gave us more options, especially in terms of security.

The first level of making a  home “less desirable” to criminals was simple blending in. I point it out very often as the most important thing in a home defense plan.

It may seem hard to understand why I point it out so much, but think about it this way:

In order to “pacify” and “own” a city, you need to have a huge military force, organized in a perfect way. Even then it is impossible to be safe in that city. There are many examples of that in modern history.

In my case, and in that SHTF, nobody really “owned” the city. There were many groups trying to acomplish that through different methods. But in reality and on the ground it was a situation where nothing was for sure.

As a result, most of the home invasions were a matter of opportunity. If attackers saw the opportunity they took it.

It was not a rule, but it was very often like that.

As a result, a good plan was not to be that opportunity.

In my case that meant we tried to keep our activities on a low level when it came to giving up information about resources in our home.

For example, if we needed to drag some bags of food home we did it so no one saw it. If we cooked something, sometimes even a nice smell could pose a possible danger.

In short, it was time to be quiet and look for danger.

For example, to transfer it to your world-  if something serious happens there in your city do you want to be the only guy in the neighbourhood running a generator? Or do you want to be only one who has a barbecue every night when SHTF?

In my case, sometimes people did even more drastic things, like placing dead animals somewhere so stench could fend off intruders. It was not about scaring the attacker with the stench. It was about a situation where you have 20-30 houses very close to each other, and you have 50 people going through your street, mostly armed. And they look for useful things, they are scavenging. They might take a chance and fight if they find people defending some house, or they might not, you never know.

So you make your house or your entrance and yard look abandoned, deserted destroyed, dirty…by putting some garbage, obstacles from ruins, some dead animals and you hope they will choose some other house because other houses look easier to get in and more desirable.

People do not go gladly into places where they suspect dead things are or go gladly through some obstacles that can hurt them (remember-no doctor). They will chose another target.

That is the first line of defense. The second line is you and the people inside waiting with guns.

Now, this may look stupid to you. You might say,”Oh, this is the US. It does not work like that here.” But think about principles, maybe in your case some CDC label (“infectious diseases” or “bodies inside”) works.

For example, in my case, a sign warning of “mines” would do a pretty good job but it might be good only for my region.

It is all about deterring those who are thinking about coming to your home.

How did you secure your doors and windows?

First, it was very important not to “trap yourself” in. There was no sense, if you were under attack, being so well fortified that you could not get out.

Alternate exit and entrances were very useful at that time, not only because of defense. Very often, it was good to leave and enter your home invisibly. You were never sure who monitored you and the stuff you were taking into your home.

Most of our houses are brick or stone houses, so from that point pretty good for smaller calibers. Very soon people started to reinforce doors and windows with whatever was available that offered protection.

One of the coolest was steel sewage covers. Those covers offered good protection. The favorite was dirt bags in combination with boards (planking).

Of course, we used also whatever was available, so a laundry machine, for example, was a good addition for “plugging” a hole.

Can you tell us about your home defense plan? How did you defend your home?

The house was always guarded, all the time.

Depending on the situation (or let us use the term “threat level”) it was guarded and defended in layers. The outer layer, for example, started on the street, through the neighboring abandoned house, then to the last layer – our house.

If you had to fight, it was bad if you failed to use outer levels and the fight started in your house.

If you choose to avoid fighting, then the outer levels may not be implemented at all. You could wait and hope to avoid the fight unless they attacked your home.

Another good term that comes to mind is that situation was dynamic. Based on that, we adapted.

Sometimes the situation dictated that the threat would be eliminated quickly out in the street.

No rules.

We were not soldiers, and the people who attacked us were not soldiers in most of the situations. We were closer to some kind of militia probably when it came to the rules of fighting.

Our weapons and condition was a matter of many other factors:

• how much ammo we had


• how many sick group members


• did some of us had a grenade in given moment

Then it was a question of how the attackers looked to us:

• organized or not


• what kind of weapon they had


• any visible fighting skills


• RPGs


• organized gang or bunch of desperate folks

Every situation was different.

How great was the risk of being assaulted when you were away from home?

It was a great risk because you were exposed much more to the danger then being inside your home.

It is important to understand that sooner or later you’ll be forced to go out, and in urban settings that means you meet other people.

The point of prepping is to postpone that moment (by having a lot of resources in your home) until you figure out what is going on outside.

You can try to minimize the risk of violence when you are out by carefully planning all your trips and tasks and using as much information available in that planning. But in reality, in urban settings, there are simply too many factors. You never knew what you find out outside your home while you are looking for firewood for example.

Were women victimized? How did they protect themselves?

In any societal breakdowns, women are victimized.

Also in any modern society, there are certain people who are, let’s say sick, but they are under the care of the system (or simply scared of system and punishment that the system will bring to them if they assault women.)

When society’s laws are out, that punishment is also out, so those kind of people are on the hunt.

Women’s victimization is also brought on another level. Powerful groups (gangs) had their own prisons with women inside. That was used as a kind of reward for gang members.

It was also used in a way of bringing terror to the people. For example, rape was used as a punishment in a lot of cases if people would not obey.

It was part of a special war policy if you can call it like that, to know as a fact that women from your family, for example, could end up in a private rape prison.

Fear and terror was a big part of everything.

Women protected themselves in two ways (actually just like males did):

• by belonging to some group, like family, group of friends or similar-sharing their knowledge and role in that survival group


• by joining some other group, more let us say sinister group and looking for safety there in exchange for other activities.

What were the ways people protected themselves?

The most effective way was by organizing into groups that had something in common. The more things, they had in common, the better the group was. People with things in common are more trustful.

Of course, common sense says that no matter how much a group was trustful, if they did not had enough skills and the will to use violence, chances for them were poor.

Quite opposite to some myths, violence was not a solution for everything. Very often it led to death.

The knowledge of how to use violence was very cool, but much more important was the skill to judge WHEN to use violence and when to chose some other way (run, negotiate, trade…)

What are your suggestions for ways we can prepare now to keep our homes and selves safe when the SHTF?

There are no magic solutions.

I am talking from the point of urban survival, and there are two reasons for that:

1. I experienced urban collapse so I have experience there

and

2. Most of the people live in some kind of urban settings, so chances are big you are gonna experience it too.

There is a popular myth that all of us who live in urban settings will “bug out” to our rural retreat on time (I have that plan too), but in reality lot of us who even have the good bug out places out of the urban centers will simply fail to reach it on time. This is reality.

So a few urban survival suggestions to defend your home:

1. Do not be alone when SHTF. No matter how romantic it looks to be the lone wolf, it is hard and almost impossible to survive it alone without help. You are gonna be sick, you are gonna be forced to be on guard 24 hrs a day, you are gonna have hard time looking for resources…


2. Find like minded people (preferably before SHTF). You need time to find people, and you need time to get to know that people.


3. Be ready for violence. Both physically and mentally, practice with your weapon and be very familiar with your skills and especially with your limitations. Use common sense in choosing your weapons. Check what is useful to have in your situation.(For example, in my situation it made sense to have AK, CZ and similar.)


4. Look at your home from the point of defending/attacking it. Look today how your home stands, how you can improve it, for example in “deterring” possible attackers, neighboring houses, ways of approach, possible booby traps, ways to quickly reinforce your home…

At the end, you need to get up and work pretty hard in order to be prepared for a real collapse, No internet article can teach you that. It can only give you highlights or possible direction.

******

About the Author

Selco survived the Balkan war of the 90s in a city under siege, without electricity, running water, or food distribution. In his online works, he gives an inside view of the reality of survival under the harshest conditions. He reviews what works and what doesn’t, tells you the hard lessons he learned, and shares how he prepares today. He never stopped learning about survival and preparedness since the war. Regardless what happens, chances are you will never experience extreme situations like Selco did. But you have the chance to learn from him and how he faced death for months. Real survival is not romantic or idealistic. It is brutal, hard and unfair. Let Selco take you into that world.

You can learn more about Selco at his website, SHTFschool.com. Check out his online courses and physical courses for a reality check about SHTF scenarios.

5 Things That Disappeared During the Collapse of Venezuela

This report was originally published by J. G. Martinez D. at The Organic Prepper

They say nothing lasts forever. But sometimes, I know there are situations that seem to be eternal, and that is how it has seemed during the collapse of Venezuela.

The agony of the Venezuelan induced crisis is about to produce an output. How this results, it will depend on how much external assistance is required.

Many things have disappeared as the military and government continue to control and subjugate the population.

Self-Defense

Venezuelans do not have weaponry at home. The right to defend our own lives was seized in 2014 under threat of 25 years of jail for those who don´t give their guns. Those who agreed to the registering of their guns had to give them for “ballistic registration” and they were never given back their weapons.

Please note that the gun culture was never as strong in our country as in the USA or other countries. It was just not as common. Most of our society came from the war-devastated Europe and had an intrinsic fear of guns. Perhaps they had their reasons, though.

These days, there are no gun shops, no ammo available other than for the military and “law” enforcement. What were once well-supplied gunshops with lots of varieties of defense tools, all kind of ammunition, accessories and tons of other stuff, have become sporting goods shops to prevent going out of business. Most of them sell as well accessories for the LEOs and NGs: boots, leg holders,  MOLLE vests, bulletproof vests with the official forces logos, riot helmets. Go figure. But the civilians don´t get a chance to defend themselves.

Money

The daily struggle has been these last few weeks intensifying.

The price increases are no longer bi-weekly. They are daily increases.

Prices are different if you pay with cash, or via debit card or interbank transfer. Remember that old saying that says cash is king? It became especially true…even under the hyperinflation rate. Cash prices are half of what you would pay with debit or transfer.

Of course, that will work until the payment systems fall apart. With the currency control, the spare parts and electronic equipment prices have skyrocketed, and the systems are wearing out at an accelerated rate without any hope to be replaced. I have mentioned this disaster in my social network profiles, as being a post-collapse stage, and the people living in the debris, without even noticing it.

The salaries, obviously, have remained the same, especially those of the state workers. Therefore, there are plenty of workers who have just quit via email after leaving the country without looking back. There are “bonuses” and other government handouts (only available for those with the “Carnet of the Patria” that is used as a blackmail mechanism and for fraud in the elections) that instead of solving the problem makes it worse.

The government has driven to bankruptcy over 8000 companies all over the country. This is serious business.

Utilities

The situation with the electrical power crisis is becoming a point of no return. The mafia gangsters know that, after food accessibility, the access to energy is one of the major ways to control the population. They have been using military strategies against the civilian population, not just in terms of repressive techniques, but cutting the supply lines.

The lack of a reliable electrical power supply affects the water supply. As a result, now people in the major cities are not just struggling for food. They have now an intermittent water service. Most of them live in places where they don’t have access to space enough for installing a tank, like small apartments in the nearby smaller, “bedroom” cities. Another remarkable negative aspect is the propane supply. It has completely taken over by the mafias.

This problem with electricity makes the banks and ATMs work at 20% of their capacity. The cash available to each user is limited, rationed. Even if you have millions, the daily quota is barely able to pay for a ride on the bus, not even to take a cab.

In some places, the power is limited to 2 hours a day. Not even in the special period in Cuba was there a similar power rationing. There has been proof that one of the “revolutionary” governors is running a warehouse filled with over 11000 Bitcoin mining machines, and this is one of the reasons for the power rationing in the Zulia state. Go figure.

The lack of the investment in the main infrastructure is monumental. Since Maduro arrived, it seems all the money went to someone else’s pocket, but the maintenance of the power grids was never done. Neither the main generator of that which was once the engine of our economy: the oil industry.

The actual balance sheet of this corporation is a joke. I was in a 25 person group. There are only 3 remaining, who can’t leave because they don’t have any money, nor some way to find it. It is a shame because these are responsible family heads, not the usual joker who used to laugh when I mentioned the need for prepping and having the papers ready to fly away. We are now scattered to the 4 cardinal points of South America and Europe.

Most of us are specialists, so many have been lucky to find jobs in the line of work they were carrying along. The amount of specialists, specialized laborers, experienced technicians that have been forced to migrate is so large, that there is no other output. The power grid is collapsing slowly, but its paralyzation is inevitable.

The politicians and I mean both sides of this apocalyptic equation, simply can’t accept this reality. They lack the needed vision. For this guys, the future is just the day after today. Their concept of tomorrow is just as limited and narrow, as big is their greed and lust for power and control of people´s life.

Food

My wife’s testimony is heartbreaking. She has been struggling until last week with the food scarcity. Her cooking skills worked a lot for creating attractive meals for the kids. Mostly for the younger one, indeed…to be honest, the older one is able to eat stuff unknown in this solar system. Not that this is something bad for a survivor.

The amount of people without a proper nutrition is already getting bigger. My wife mentioned that neighbors and acquaintances with an awesome weight loss are surprising. She has run into some friends after some time without seeing them…and she has found herself in troubles to recognize them.

The prices, as expected in a collapsed, hyperinflationary economy, are rising daily.  The only opportunity for survival is receiving an external steady supply of foreign currency, and even this is not sufficient.

Even if you have money enough, you will have to go from place to place to try to buy some food. There is no guarantee of being able to find food available: the mafias take over the food in large amounts, purchasing in bulk and leaving the shelves empty.  The cash money supply is as well kidnapped by the mafias. They sell 1.000.000 bolivars cash but you have to transfer 1.500.000 Bolivars to the accounts of the mafia. The (now) non legitimate government says this is an “Economical warfare” and they keep blaming the US, the EU, the aliens, and the astronomical conjunctions, or the climate change. This is why no one believes in them anymore.

Transportation

Why do I say the collapse already happened? Because you can’t buy things even if you have the money.

Because now the capability to repair a car or motorcycle is nonexistent. And if you don’t have a bicycle, or some small, gasoline efficient vehicle, dirt cheap and easy to repair, be prepared to walk a lot. My huge cruising motorcycle is now in storage until further notice. I would rather own a small Vespa 250, that have even a spare tire, and carry a passenger with some luggage. This is one of the items I will buy once we are back for the rebuilding. With the gas prices that I expect to be set in the new economy after the recovery, this is going to be a need. My SUV is busted. The engine repairing is on the range of the 1600-1800$. Therefore, I am not repairing anything in the near future.

No concerns here. The mafias are controlling the engine oil, batteries and tires supply, and having an operational car being 4500 kms far away, there is no point on that other than leaving a car in good shape to my dad. But being my brother without a car…well, you get the picture. He is my brother and I love him but I worked way too hard to keep that SUV in good shape.

Leaving was the only option.

I think many of those with some military training reading this will agree with my comment about how are being used military strategies with our civilian population. The reasons are plenty. They have killed people. They know that the international justice is after them and it is just a matter of time before they have to run. They know they have endangered their very own families, in their blindness and immeasurable greed.

They try to cover and silence everyone who is opposed to their plans.

But finally, my family is here, and in good shape. My younger son is under a normal weight for his size, he is happy, and that is what really matters. Thanks to all of those who have found useful our bitter experience and have contributed willingly with some very needed assistance.

It is a journey that I would not wish even to my worst enemy, indeed.

God bless us all, people.

About the Author

Jose is an upper middle class professional. He is a former worker of the oil state company with a Bachelor’s degree from one of the best national Universities. He has a small 4 members family, plus two cats and a dog. An old but in good shape SUV, a good 150 square meters house in a nice neighborhood, in a small but (formerly) prosperous city with two middle size malls. Jose is a prepper and shares his eyewitness accounts and survival stories from the collapse of his beloved Venezuela. Thanks to your help Jose has gotten his family out of Venezuela. They are currently setting up a new life in another country. paypal.me/JoseM151

Dad in America Told His Son Had To Die Like Alfie—But He Resisted With Guns and His Son LIVED

Questions about self-defense have been raised after the British government kidnapped and starved a couple"s son to death and a case in America shows things could"ve played out different had Brits been armed.

The post Dad in America Told His Son Had To Die Like Alfie—But He Resisted With Guns and His Son LIVED appeared first on The Free Thought Project.

The Ultimate Shotgun

Well folks, here it is. The absolute peak of shotgun technology. However, this technology has barely changed since its inception in 1950. For those who have never had the opportunity to use one, the ultimate shotgun has been sitting right in front of our eyes for six decades, and over ten million have been sold. I firmly believe that the Remington Model 870 is the perfect shotgun. It’s the kind of weapon that you can be confident you will be passing on to your children one day, assuming you treat your gun correctly.

The Remington Model 870 is the best shotgun due to the quality, strength, and ideal shooting ability. There’s a reason that this firearm has been so incredibly popular thanks to these features, among many others.

As a whole, the Remington Model 870 is one of the highest quality shotguns on the market. This quality comes mostly from the receiver and the slide. The receiver starts as a solid billet of steel and is eventually machined into a receiver. This process of machining the receiver is tried and true and is proven to be a powerful receiver. The slide has two action bars that assure that the spent shell is engaged and the next shell is chambered every time. The pump action is exceptionally smooth, over and over again. Regarding quality and reliability, it will not get better than the Remington Model 870.

The strength of the shotgun comes mainly from the billet receiver, as was previously talked about. It’s also worth noting that the stocks of the guns are equally tough and are resistant to the elements. There are thousands of Model 870s that are still around from past decades.

The Model 870 is available in quite a few different variants. We will touch on each of them briefly, and talk about what each one might be good for.

• Wingmaster. The classic. The Model 870 Wingmaster is the nicest looking of the 870s. It has a satin-finished pump and stock, and a polished receiver and barrel. It is truly a sight to behold. Available in .410 bore, 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and 28 gauge. It is the most expensive of the group, and it would look as good above your fireplace as it would bird hunting. However, if you are only looking for a hunting weapon, there are better options available.


• Express. The same strength and quality of the classic Wingmaster, at a much more affordable cost. The hardwood stock and pump don’t have a shiny finish, and the metals are also matte black. It is offered in 12 gauge or 20 gauge. The Model 870 Express is broken down into even more variants. There are multiple tactical versions with a black synthetic stock and pump replacing the wood. One tactical version has a seven shell capacity, and one synthetic tactical version has a rifled barrel to shoot slugs. There are a few different ones that are treated with a camo finish. The Model 870 Express Super Magnum can handle all sizes of 12 gauge shells.


• Marine Magnum. The Marine Magnum variant has nickel plating covering all metal surfaces, which makes it resistant to corrosion. It is only available in 12 gauge.

All in all, the Remington Model 870 is an extremely high-strength, durable, and reliable shotgun. This same technology has been around since its creating in 1950 and has allowed the shotgun to retain its popularity since then, as over ten million Model 870s have been sold. While there are fancier shotguns available, you would be hard-pressed to find a better mix of affordability and durability than the Model 870.

The post The Ultimate Shotgun appeared first on Off The Grid News.

Two Person Armed Defense: A Different Approach To Firearms Training

Disciplined training is especially important in a two-person defense strategy.

Many folks that take self-defense seriously and carry a pistol on a daily basis train extensively on an individual level. Consider combining your live firearm training with another person that you may spend a great deal of time with, perhaps a co-worker, a good friend or your spouse? Are you both armed on a regular basis?

This past year I was able to attend a course that focused on an armed situation where you and another may be forced to work as a cohesive unit. The session entitled “2 Person Armed Defense” (2PAD) provided some excellent insight into working with another armed person in a self-defense situation. This training, along with related topics, consists of firearms courses offered by Personal Defense Network (PDN) and its Executive Director, Rob Pincus.

In the course I attended, Pincus was the on-site instructor for the 2PAD class held at the Gun Club Range in Gypsum, Colorado during the month of June 2017. An overview of critical firearms safety rules started off the day as it always should. Pincus then discussed what he calls the “3 C’s Foundation” of communication, coordination, and cooperation when it comes to teamwork. He reinforced these concepts throughout the day.

An additional key point made early on in the day is that an “individual response” is almost always the first typical reaction in any high-stress event. Therefore, the day’s training focused on moving to or with your partner after your immediate response as an individual. Once these basics were well ingrained, we moved on to a series of live firearm drills, based on two people having to work together.

The following are critical drills utilized during 2PAD training:

1.Extend Your Handgun/Touch And Press Trigger

 One of the few individual drills throughout the day started out at the five-yard line. This distance is typical to defensive actions in the average armed confrontation. First, the student maintained a proper stance (squarely facing the target with feet placed shoulder width apart) and firing grip on the handgun (the students utilized Sul position most often). The student would then extend the pistol straightforward while beginning trigger touch, and immediately they would press the trigger as they aimed the muzzle at the threat/target. All the while the student would focus on the high center mass of the target as they looked into the desired strike zone (not as seen in normal-sighted shooting).

This technique provides excellent defensive accuracy and is fast at the five- to ten-yard line. The drill was repeated several times, all while increasing rounds fired from two up to six. This combat focus drill is a trademark drill of PDN and Pincus and is worth adding to your training regime.

If you have not used the Sul or indoor ready position as it is sometimes called, take a look at the following link: https://www.personaldefensenetwork.com/article/firearm-ready-positions/

2.Move With Your Teammate And Shoot

 This segment began to ingrain the skill of movement into defensive shooting. Each two-person team would move a few steps laterally when the shoot command was given. The movement was not always side by side but could be towards each other. The intent was to get a degree of comfort in working with another armed person with the added stress of movement and combat-accurate fire on the threat. Action was also encouraged after firing, which began the lead up to the next training drill: moving to your partner and then shooting.

3.Move To Teammate And Engage The Threat

 In a situation where you and another armed citizen do not know where the attacker is, moving towards each other could very well provide an advantage. Of course, by doing so, the argument exists that it would become somewhat easier for the attacker to take both of you out. This drill has valid training points but ideally should often be practiced with your armed partner. This drill begins as one of the pairs observes a threat, moves and starts firing. The second of the team would then draw their handgun and move to assist their partner (utilizing the Sul position). The goal for the second partner would be to cover the 360 degrees for additional threats and look for an escape route. Ideally, you and your teammate would be pressed up against each other back to back with the “rear guard” so to speak, grabbing onto the beltline of their partner to help lead them to a more secure zone at the first opportunity. In the event the partner shooting would run out of ammo or had a malfunction, they would call for the “rear guard” to cover and rotate towards the threat to engage.

This drill may sound a bit nerve-wracking (any real shooting would be), but I found it to have real-world application, and it was a way to shape the thinking of an effective response should the need ever arise.

4.The Figure 8

 Over the day, all drills were continued to reinforce the key concepts. Also, working through doorways and around vehicles were added in and always with a partner. Pincus likes to key in on the immediate and individual startled response, which is very probable in the real world. A good drill that teams performed to help instill this surprised response was the Figure 8 drill.

A pair of students would walk in figure 8 (crossing each others paths) parallel to the targets. Pincus would then call out numbers (numbers were drawn on targets with a marker) the student pair would turn towards threats (targets), which were scattered at varying distances, and engage the appropriate numeral(s) with multiple shots. Each student would fire only at the threats on their proper side. The Figure 8 is a dynamic drill, and as close to realism when having to find and identify the danger while engaging as any I’ve done, and all the while working with another armed citizen.

During the entire course and for all drills Pincus reinforced the importance of a valid 360-degree scan. What are you scanning for? In order of priority: additional threats such as other armed citizens or law enforcement that you don’t want to get shot by or other folks that may be willing to help you or others in some way.  Then scan for a position of advantages, such as cover, a more precise shooting position, or other position of tactical advantage.

Ammunition requirements for 2PAD are in the 400 to 500 rounds range over a full day of training. This training course was a different approach than many others I have attended, especially from a civilian perspective. It provides insight into the reality of working with another armed person, and I would not hesitate to participate again.

For many long years I have trained in law enforcement both as a student and as an instructor, and now in the civilian world. If there is one good piece of advice I could give to any student of defensive living and mindset, it would be to keep pushing yourself with valid training and a proper attitude. Rob Pincus and Personal Defense Network provide such training.

Best Secondary Carry Weapons

 

Carrying a backup gun isn’t exactly common practice. I don’t do it as much as I probably should, but I do takea backup weapon occasionally. My threat analysis usually drives my decision making. When I’m going to a place, I’ll think about the layout of the building, the surrounding area, crime trends in the area, and so on. From there, I’ll decide what I’m carrying.

Some people will disagree with me and say that you should always be prepared for the absolute worst-case scenario no matter what, and I can see where they’re coming from. However, for me, I decide based on my threat analysis.

More often than not, I don’t carry a backup weapon. However, I’ve realized more recentlythat I should do this more. If nothing else, it gives you some additional ammunition and a second weapon in case your primary malfunctions.

I’ve come to realize that my backup weapon is so easy to conceal, there’s no reason not just to grab it. Plus, some will argue it’s easier to draw your backup weapon than to reload your primary.

While the discussion about whether or not you should carry a backup weapon could go on for days, we will focus this article on potential choices for you to bringas your backup.

My general idea of a backup weapon is a subcompact weapon. For me, I carry my backup firearm in a pants pocket. If you want to pack two bigger guns, you’re going to have to think about some different approaches. This article’s primaryfocus centers on subcompacts.

Here’s a couple of my favorites, in no particular order.

Ruger LCP II

Starting this list off is the Ruger LCP II. This tiny .380 is available in a few different colors, and you can get it with a built-inCrimson Trace laser sight. I like the version that has included Hogue grips, but any of them will do.

It measures 5.17 inches long and 3.71 inches tall. It’s less than an inch wideand weighs barely over 10 ounces. As you can see, this is an ideal candidate for pocket carry. In fact, it comes with a pocket holster.

The pistol is decent quality overall, especially when considering how small it is. It is durableand offers a solid grip. It has an attachable finger grip extension, which can improve the ergonomics of the weapon.

The sights are easy to use, and the weapon offers some decent safety features. The trigger is decent overall, and the gunshoots reliably.

Regarding cons, there isn’t much to mention that you wouldn’t expect. All of these weapons are very small, so shooting them is less than enjoyable. However, other than that, the Ruger is a great option.

I also like the Ruger LCR, if you’re interested in revolvers.

Taurus TCP

The Taurus TCP is another pocket .380. The weapon is nearly identical in size to the Ruger LCP II. They are close enough in size that you won’t be able to notice it. The firearmis tinyand lightweight.

Many people will see a Taurus on a list and immediately question it. In most circumstances, I would entirely agree with them. However, do a little research, and you’ll see how durable and reliable this weapon is. Between the incrediblyinexpensive price and the excellent durability, this is the secondary weapon that I currently carry the most.

The price of this weapon is extremely affordable. I picked mine up for about half of the MSRP. Look around, and you can find these at a very reasonable cost. However, this one doesn’t come with a holster asthe Ruger does, so you will have to buy yourself a pocket holster.

One of the cons of this weapon is that it doesn’t have any safeties. It mainly has a hex key to act asa child safety precaution, but you won’t be able to turn this on and off comfortably. Make sure you’re storing this weapon properly if you’ve got any kids.

Unrelated to the TCP, I also recommend checking out the Taurus Curve. It’s a unique gun that you can realistically carry without a holster, due to the shape of the weapon. However, I don’t know much about the durability of this weapon, so I’m not sure how I would like it compared to the TCP.

Walther PPK

Now this one is an absolute classic. You can’t help but feel like James Bond when you pick this weapon up. However, the firearm is more than just a cool looking classic gun. It assuredly is an excellent weapon.

The gun measures 6.1 inches long and 3.8 inches tall. As you can see, it’s slightly larger than the previous two weapons, so it’s a little more enjoyable to shoot. It’s as easy to conceal and carryand may bea better choice for some people.

The weapon shoots .380, just like the last two. Concerning ergonomics, the grip is pretty decent, and the optional extended magazine can also help to improve your grip. The built-insights are easy to use, and I found that I can shoot decently with this one.

Compared to the other two weapons, the Walther is very different. The previous two guns are both striker-fired semiautomatic pistols. The Walther is hammer-fired, which is not very common in smaller weapons. I prefer hammer-fired though, because it’s more reliable and safer.

Speaking of safety, this one also has an external thumb safety. Some people will love this, especially considering that the weapon will be sitting in your pocket.

There are a few things I don’t love about the Walther. It has a lot more steel than the Ruger or the Taurus, so it’s nearly twice as heavy. It’s also quite a bit more expensive.

Glock 42

No weapon list is complete without a Glock. Glocks have become some of the most common weapons out there, and for a good reason.

The Glock 42 measures 5.94 inches long and 4.13 inches tall. Similar to the Ruger and the Taurus, it is incredibly light, because it’s made of mostly polymer.

Because it’s a Glock, this weapon is very durable and reliable. That goes without saying. The sights are easy to use, and the trigger is decent, especially compared to some of the other triggers on other pocket weapons.

The Glock 42 is also extremely easy to use, maintain, and modify. There are few internal parts, so there’s next to nothing that can go wrong with it. If you’re not a Glock fan, you should really check one out. They are excellent quality weapons.

Compared to some of the other weapons mentioned, the Glock is a little expensive. However, it is not nearly as expensive as the Walther. Other Glock cons include the fact that they aren’t exactly the nicest looking weapons. But I’m not sure that matters in a serious

Having the right backup weapon could be a lifesaver.

confrontation.

 

6 Amazing Home Security Plants

 

If you’ve ever tangled with a berry patch or accidentally backed into a Spanish Dagger, then you know how painful they can be. When strategically placed, plants can act as an efficientform of home security defense without having to invest a lot of money.

When creating a fortress of solitude, most people think about building a fence to keep unwanted visitors out. However, plants make a much better defense for home security. Fences tend to draw curiosity, while plants seem to go unnoticed. That is until someone tries to walk through them! Here are six plants you need to plant for a natural home security system.

#1- Century Plants (Agave Americana) 

Some plants can provide an extra “layer” for extreme home security.

Commonly called a Century Plant or Sentry Plant, unlike its name suggest, it typically only lives 10-30 years. This home security plant has firm green leaves that grow 3-5 ft long with massivespikes and a tip that can easily pierce the skin.

The Century Plant thrives in drought conditions and spreads freely. The leaves are pale green and look beautiful in landscaping. Virtually disease free, this plant is easy to grow and maintain.

#2- Spanish Dagger (Yucca Gloriosa)

The Spanish Dagger is another evergreen that is easy to grow in warm climates. The long, stiff pointy leaves make this the perfect plant for home security.

When we were planning our home security garden, a friend recommended the Spanish Dagger. All we did was took a machete to the stalk of the plant, pulled back a couple of the leaves and we stuck it in the ground. Within no time, wehad a realhome security defense garden. As they grow tall, their weight will make them fall over, andthen they will root and spread.

Often a focal point in tropical gardens, the Spanish Dagger is visually pleasing and a deterrent to trespassers.

#3- Osage Orange Tree (Maclura Pomifera)

When I asked my fellow homesteading friends about plant security, many of them recommended the Osage Orange Tree. Osage Orange is a fast-growing tree that was used in place of barbed wire during the early 19th century.

The Osage Orange Tree produces a strong timber that resists rot and outlasts most lumber. Outside of its ability to grow fast, this unique tree produces many sharp, steel strong thorns that make it the perfect tree for home security.

#4- Rose Bushes

“A rose is a rose” indeed, but every rose has a thorn, anda rose bush is an excellent plant for home security when placed in the right location. The woody, thorny branches offer a painful sting which can spread disease and infection.

From miniature to climbing, roses grow in almost any climate which makesthem the ideal plant for home security.

#5- Berry Bushes

How about a home security system that feeds you? Now you won’t see ADT making that claim! Many berry plants like gooseberries, blackberries, and raspberries all produce delicious fruit that are high in antioxidants, but more importantly– thorns. Berries are fast growing and hardy to zone 3. From trellising to hedgerow, berries can be incorporated into any landscape and may be used for both home security and food.

#6- Citrus Trees

Another home security tree that has the added benefit of food are citrus trees. Several lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit trees produce thorns along their trunks, branches, and twigs.

We have several citrus trees on our property, andthe thorns are like no other. We have them planted below our bedroom windows with plenty of room to grow. We chose this placefor two reasons. One, for security. Anyone not knowing about the 3″ long, piercing thorns are in for a treat if they try to enter through our windows. Two, our house provides our citrus trees with radiant heat which helps them thrive.

Where To Plant Your Home Security Plants

As I mentioned above, placement is imperative when planting for home security.

The Osage Orange Tree makes an excellent perimeter tree. Creating a fast-growing hedgerow, the Osage Orange will be your first line of defense.

Plant your home security plants below every window (making sure the residents still have a safe escape in case of emergency) and byevery point of entry.

The climbing roses and berry bushes will do an excellent job of protecting you when planted below upper-levelwindows.

And finally, Spanish Daggers mixed with Century Plants make the perfect home security hedge closer to the home.

Add aesthetics and security to your home with the protection that only nature can provide. No one will ever know you have a secret fortress.

 

Concealed vs. Open Carry: Is Discretion The Better Part Of Valor?

   Concealed or open carry… being armed could save your life.

 

The number of concealed carry permits has grown from 8 million in 2008 to just over 16 million in 2018.  Most states require a permitfor concealed carry and limit those permits to residents, or a select few statesthrough reciprocity. For example, a concealed carry permit in Texas is also valid in Arizona .There are currently 45 states that havepermissive open carry.  As the scales of the gun control debate teeter one way or the other, the visibility of opencarriers has been embraced by many pro-gunactivists to normalize gun ownership. While often acceptable to people who have been raisedaround firearms, it is often a culture shock to those who have not.

As the political spectrum becomes even more polarized, there is less concern on both sides to consider or even care about the sensibilities of people across the political divide. While one’s political party is in power, this may not be a cause for thought.  When the political scales tilt – and they always do- it then becomes a majorconcern, and then too late.  How the political left tends to react to the sight of openly carried firearms is with anything but antipathy.

By “spooking the straights” it fuels their desires to take the rights to carry anything away.  Some are so full of fear at the sight of a gun that they assume the carrier is a mass shooter, calling the police. Others point to a difficulty that police officers have in determining who is and is not a threat, and there have been plenty of instances when police have reacted with zealousness when presented with an open carrier.  The situation becomes even more complicated when raceenters the equation.  Now it is true that the examples presentedhere may have been antagonistic to the officers – there is a certainlack of empathy on behalf of some carriers not to understandthe situation officers are placed in when they must respond to calls of a person with a gun.  And sometimes, the officer may not be as comfortable with you having the gun: this opens opportunities for misunderstandings and accidents.  Such instances do not help the cause.

Perhaps this is a goodplace to point out that if you carry, open or concealed, that it is of vital importance to follow an officer’s instructions to the letter when the interactionoccurs.  Do not argue about your rights until the officer feels that they have control of the situation: that is what they are trained to do.  It is what you would want them to do if you were the one that called them.  And while you may win a legal debate with them, you are as likely to end up in cuffsor bruised.  You may even end up dead.

Concealed carriers certainly need to follow the same rules of conduct, but they have the benefit of discretion.  Many gun control activists will point to the laws of the wild west where guns were not permitted in town while ignoring other facts.  The local rules expressly prohibited the carrying of firearms but donot offer instances where people – residents or visitors -were invasively searched.  It is not coincidental that pocket pistols such as the Deringer started becoming an actual product in the 1800’s when the rule of these laws began appearing.  In such circumstances,the age-old adage “out of sight, out of mind” protected the carriers whether they were law abiding or not.

Even without the politics or the threat of nervous anti-gunnersand potentially under trained police officers, open carry does something else: it paints a bullseye on the back of your head for any potential criminal. Policeare paid to enforce laws; citizensare not.  While society benefits from as many enforcers and followers of the law as possible, those of us who are not involvedwith law enforcement authority can complicate matters in a situation, and not necessarily to our benefit.  If the badguy does not get the drop on us,we still are faced with the fact that even officers not in uniform may seem likea threat by uniformed responding officers.

Consider the following scenario: you are standing in line at the bankwhen someone decides to rob the bank.  You have a concealed carry firearm, but, the robber is not firing his weapon.  The money stolenis insured.  If you act like the other customers, the whole scary scenario may end in a few minutes with you only having to be a witness to the responding officers.  Another result of the situation is that the robber has already shot someone.  Perhaps now they will decide to leave no witnesses. At that point, if your firearm is concealed, you have a chance to defend yourself.  If your firearmwas not concealed, you mightvery well have been the first one killed.

The political landscape has many gun owners tempted to declare their position proudly, even defiantly. And the open carry movement has gone from a positionof crime deterrence to a political positionof antagonism.  Thisis not the scenario in which any of us should introduce an open and visible firearm.  Discretion is the better part of valor because discretionis one more tool at our disposal when we carry: leaving the decision to engage in our hands, not the hands of the “bad guy.” So, when you carry, be aware, be considerate, but most importantly, be sensible and choose your battles.  Don’t have them chosenfor you.

Picking The Perfect Shotgun: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know (But Didn’t Want To Ask)

Image source: DoD photo by Marvin D. Lynchard

The shotgun is one of the most capable firearms in the world. For hunting small game, to game birds, and even big game, a shotgun will do the job. For home defense, the shotgun is more than capable and intimidating. Want a survival gun? The shotgun can cover it all in the most trying conditions.

The choices of action types, gauges, barrel lengths and stock configurations are an added incentive for owning a shotgun. Choose pump action, semi-auto, single or double barrel, or even lever action. The 12 gauge is the most common today, with the 20 gauge being a close second. There are others; the ole 16 gauge seems to have lost its popularity. Another, the 28 gauge, is primarily used by upland game bird hunters. The 10 gauge is a rarity in today’s times. Then there is the 410 which is correctly designated as .410 bore (slug diameter of the .410) rather than gauge.

Of the above gauges mentioned, 10ga is the largest, then 12, 16, 20, 28 and 410 in descending order based on the amount of shot or the weight of an individual slug (projectile) the hull/shell contains. On average, shell lengths are 2 ½ to 3 inches in length.

Your choice of action type will be driven by the intended use of the shotgun, whether it’s hunting, trap or skeet competition, as a home defense tool, or your young child’s first gun. Let’s first take a look at shotgun action types found on the market today.

Single Shot

Generally this action is a hinged, break-open type that employs a lever to open the action. It is designed to load one round and then unload the spent hull before reloading another live round. Companies such as Harrington and Richardson, Iver Johnson, and Chiappa are but a few that produce a single shot break open shotgun.

Lever Action

Lever-action shotguns are mostly out of the picture today, but do have their following. They operate similar to a lever-action rifle such as the classic Winchester 30-30. Every pull of the lever down and up unloads and reloads the chamber. Henry and Chiappa are the mainstays of producing these guns.

Bolt Action

For the most part, bolt-action shotguns have become obsolete and are no longer produced. You may find one around from days gone by that was marketed by Sears, Westernfield, Stevens or Mossberg. While they may hold some nostalgic interest, there are too many other shotgun action types that are more practical.

Double Barrel (side by side or over and under)

Double barreled shotguns are loaded in a similar fashion as the single shot break opens via a hinged connection between the barrels/forend and the action itself. The double comes in both a side by side, where the barrels are left and right of each other, and the over and under, wherein the name denotes one barrel being directly above the other.

Many classic names are associated with this category, such as Parker, Winchester, Browning, Ruger and others. While these guns are most often considered for competitive or sporting purposes, there are applications and models that lend themselves to home defense as well. Some of the short-barreled side by sides are a good example, like the Cimarron model 1878 coach gun.

Pump Action

Probably the most widely used and popular action type today, the pump action has been around for decades. The pump action is just that: by pumping the forend back toward the receiver, you cycle the action. This motion extracts a fired round and reloads another in the blink of an eye. This style of shotgun is very popular with hunters and has been used extensively in police and military applications. Remington model 870 and the Mossberg model 500 are two of the most widely recognized and used pump actions today.

Semi Auto

Gaining much interest and use in the last several years is the semi-auto. Not unlike a pistol or carbine, the semi-auto shotgun fires, extracts and reloads a new round with every press of the trigger. Semi-auto shotguns are heavily used in many venues including hunting, sport competition, and law enforcement. Remington, Benelli, Saiga and Browning are just a few companies that offer semi-auto shotguns.

What Gauge Fits Your Needs?

Let’s stick with easily available shotgun gauges and ammunition for them. Yes, you can still get 10 and 16 gauge via online ammunition warehouses … but you generally cannot walk into a Walmart or other local retailer and easily find these gauges. And I won’t even get into European shotguns like the 24 and 32 gauge.

12 Gauge

It’s the most common and everyday available gauge, although the 20 is a close second. Having been around since at least the 1870s, it is still the everyday staple around the farm, ranch and for law enforcement and military use. I have personally taken plains game in Africa with 12-gauge slug and buckshot. The most common configuration includes 2 ¾ to 3 inch shells holding anywhere from 1 to 1¾ oz of shot. Buckshot and slugs are also readily available in the 12 gauge.

20 Gauge

A mainstay in the shotgun world for decades, the 20 gauge is still going strong today and may have even outpaced the larger 12 gauge for certain applications. It is a popular hunting choice and offers a wide variety of shot options to include buckshot and slug offerings. The most common loads for 20 gauge are 7/8 oz to 1 ½ oz of shot.

28 Gauge

Most often associated with upland game bird hunting, the 28 gauge has also been around for decades but in my experience is probably one of the least used gauges today as compared to the 12 and 20. Shot shells in this gauge are most common in ¾ oz of shot. When I hear 28 gauge, I visualize walking behind a fine bird dog and taking shots at bobwhite quail or grouse.

.410 Bore

The .410 is in fact a shot shell, but as described earlier is designated by bore diameter rather than gauge. The diminutive .410 has been a farm, ranch and household favorite for years when it comes to dealing with pests. It’s often the first gun (aside from the 22 rimfire) many kids are introduced to. In .410 ½ oz to  11/16 oz of shot are common. Today, there are revolver offerings such as the Taurus Judge and Smith & Wesson Governor that utilize the 410 as a defensive round. There are several derringer offerings in .410, as well; Bond Arms Derringers is a popular example.

All of the above shotgun ammunition can also be found in various types of buckshot, slug and defensive round offerings.

No gauge discussion is complete without the 10 and 16. Both are a decades-old staple in many parts of the country and are in fact still used today. My intent is not to minimize these two, but rather point out that these gauges aren’t commonly found at your local sporting goods dealer on a daily basis, much less the ammo … but they are available.

Defensive Use

Everyone has their own idea as to what works best for them in a self-defense shotgun. Because I carried and used one extensively during my career in law enforcement and for more years than I care to remember in the field hunting, the pump action in 12 gauge has to be my top pick. A primary reason for me is the pump action is fairly simple and rugged, making it generally reliable and easy to use. As I mentioned earlier, 12 gauge ammunition is the most readily available of all the gauges listed.

As to the shotgun make and model, I like and have used extensively over the years, the Remington Model 870, Mossberg 500, Winchester Defender and Ithaca Model 37. There have been others and several variations of these, but this list comprises most. Overall, I have utilized the Remington 870 more than any other to include extensive application in the law enforcement world.

If you are considering a shotgun for exclusive home defense, the simplicity of a side-by-side double-barrel may also be worth a look. Cimarron, CZ, and Stoeger all make a version of the short barreled “coach gun,” that can be ideal for quick home defense. And, there’s the added charm of owning a model whose very type is named after its historical use as a security tool for overland horse-and-wagon travel.

Also readily on the market today are pistol grip style shotguns. Here I’m speaking of a hand grip only, with no shoulder stock. The new Mossberg Shockwave and the Remington Tac-14 both come in a 14-inch barrel and are considered shotgun pistols therefore sidestepping NFA (National Firearms Act) requirements. The Mossberg 500 series also has a true pistol grip shotgun, offered in both 12 and 20 gauges.

As you might imagine, there are a myriad of other add-ons for a shotgun, like ammo carriers, a variety of sights, lasers, slings, and probably even a can opener if you look hard enough! My philosophy is to keep it simple and usable based on your needs. I like a ghost ring sight or just a plain old front sight bead, even for a defensive shotgun. However, there is a following for the use of red dot style sights for defensive shotguns. Red dots have gained much popularity in both the carbine and handgun world, why not shotgun — if it fits your needs. I also like a simple sling and ammo carrier on the buttstock or the receiver. Essentially, that is as far as I would go for add-ons.

In today’s world of short-barreled rifles and high capacity magazines, the shotgun is often overlooked. Its diversity of uses make it a top contender for a must-have and it would certainly be in my personal “if I could only have three guns” list. Even many police agencies have eliminated it from their armory — a mistake, in my estimation.  Don’t have a shotgun? You should!

What is your favorite shotgun? Share your thoughts in the section below:

 

 

Self-Defense Is A Basic Human Right: A Website That ENDS The Gun Control Debate For Good

A website is putting the final nails in the coffin of the gun control debate for good.  If you’ve ever been on the fence about whether or not you think guns should or should not be regulated, look no further.

A Human Right, the website, breaks it down so far that even the most emotionally sensitive and over the top “ban all guns” Nazis can understand what they are actually marching for and demanding.

Once on the website, you’ll be directed to choose whether you feel guns are a “liability” or a “useful tool.” If you select liability, you’ll be walked through a questionnaire designed to actually get your brain to function the way it was meant to without the ingrained bias shoved in there by the mainstream media. Should you already know that a gun is a useful tool and click on that section, you’ll be taken to a page that will link to several varying articles about topics affecting your rights and ways you can get active to prevent others from stripping you of your fundamental human right to defend yourself with the most effective tool available.

From the Gun Control section of A Human Right’s website:

Imagine a pack of hyenas stalking a human. As they close in for the kill, their intended prey repulses them with a rifle. As the surviving predators retreat, they think: “If only we could separate that human from her gun!”

People who think as those hyenas are less naive than the idealists who wish to ban guns outright. “Gun control” is a misnomer for what they have in mind. They are evil: they wish to control others. One of the easiest way to control other people is by making them defenseless.

Communists, fascists and other totalitarians world over have rendered their subject defenseless as the first step towards total control. Then they could imprison or murder millions with complete impunity.

A Human Right even has a section about the bias in the mainstream media.  It isn’t just guns the media attempts to propagate with fear, but many events. Even after being caught lying and using propaganda on the American public, many still trust that what they see on TV is in fact, a fact.

Although the website is simple, it lays out a basic and easy to read fundamental moral: Self-defense is a basic human right.  Whether the Constitution lists our rights or not makes no difference.  We are all born with those same basic rights because we were born human beings. You have the right to use a tool to defend your life because you are a human.  You have a right to speak your mind because you’re a human. Governments can only list your rights; they and others do not get to decide what your rights are and therefore, cannot take them away regardless of the laws they write mandating such.

Senate Candidate Raising Money To Buy Guns For the Homeless So They Can Defend Themselves

Recognizing the rights of the homeless population a Senate candidate has started a fundraising campaign to raise money to purchase guns for the homeless so they can defend themselves.

The post Senate Candidate Raising Money To Buy Guns For the Homeless So They Can Defend Themselves appeared first on The Free Thought Project.

5 of the Most Violent Cities in the WORLD Are Right Here in America

This report was originally published by Daisy Luther at The Organic Prepper

When you think of the most dangerous, violent cities in the world, do you picture slums in Third World countries with vicious drug cartels or arrogant warlords? Maybe the kind of violence where enemies are decapitated and whole families are murdered seem like things that happen far away in some terrifying, exotic locale.

Some of this is true – but FIVE of the world’s most violent cities are right here on the American mainland and another is in an American territory. The list was created by researchers of anti-violence think-tank Seguridad, Justicia Y Paz (Security, Justice, and Peace), who made their rankings based on statistics of homicides per 100,000 residents.

The vast majority of the cities on the list were in Central and South America. Interestingly, the violence in Venezuela appears to have dropped in violence this year, but not because it’s suddenly become a mecca of safety. The official situation there has devolved so much that they simply can’t track all the homicides.

But back to America

We pride ourselves on our first world status and civilized societies, and yet four of our cities ended up on the list of the most dangerous and violent locales on the planet.

They are:

• #13 St. Louis


• #21 Baltimore


• #32 San Juan


• #41 New Orleans


• #42 Detroit

How did these cities make the list?

• St. Louis, Missouri: Since the Ferguson riots, the entire state of Missouri has seen a sharp increase in violence. This has culminated in the city of St. Louis, which had a 2017 murder rate of 65.83 per hundred thousand people. There are thousands of violent crimes each year in the city, which only has a population of about 320,000 people.


• Baltimore, Maryland: The city of Baltimore has an astounding murder rate of 55.48 people per hundred thousand. Last year’s murder rate was nearly as high as the year that the riots erupted over the killing of Freddie Gray by city police officers.  There’s a murder nearly every day of the year in Baltimore and the police force there is widely considered to be one of the most corrupt – if not the most corrupt – in the nation.


• San Juan, Puerto Rico:  Many will think that San Juan earned its place on the list due to the devastation wrought by two back to back hurricanes, but it was already bad for years before. DHS ties this to drug trafficking. The island territory had begun to see signs of improvement in 2015 after a massive spike in 2011 that brought murders to an all-time high. The homicide numbers didn’t immediately escalate after Hurricane Maria, but as the unrelenting darkness continued, violent crime began to increase until it reached 48.70 murders per hundred thousand residents.


• New Orleans, Louisiana: Murders in New Orleans, Louisiana fell last year but armed robberies and non-fatal shootings have risen by a whopping 30% since 2010. The city is renowned for its food, music, and festivals, making it a popular destination for tourists. Yet, the 40.10 murders per hundred thousand people rank The Big Easy as more dangerous than some of the most notorious cities in Brazil and Columbia.


• Detroit, Michigan: Detroit is the fourth American city to be featured on the list of places you’re most likely to be murdered. With a homicide rate of 39.69 per one hundred thousand people, Detroit was the 42 most dangerous city in the world according to these statistics. The city used to be an American hub of industry, but when the automotive manufacturers left, it fell into disrepair and poverty. Residents have a whopping unemployment rate of almost 11%, the population has plummeted, and since it is one of the poorest cities in the nation, perhaps the residents who remain simply can’t afford to get out.

For those who are interested in preparedness, the collapse of these cities is something to watch. Note how the increase of violence in many cases ties in with a lack of confidence in local law enforcement officers. A failing economy is another factor, as increased desperation leads to increased crime.

What other cities made the list?

Here’s the list of the 50 most violent cities in the world in its entirety:

1. Los Cabos, Mexico


2. Caracas, Venezuela


3. Acapulco, Mexico


4. Natal, Brasil


5. Tijuana, Mexico


6. La Paz, Mexico


7. Fortaleza, Brazil


8. Victoria, Mexico


9. Guayana, Mexico


10. Belem, Brazil


11. Vitória da Conquista, Brazil


12. Culicacan, Mexico


13. St. Louis, Missouri, USA


14. Maceio, Brazil


15. Cape Town, South Africa


16. Kingston, Jamaica


17. San Salvador, El Salvador


18. Aracaju, Brazil


19. Feira de Santana, Brazil


20. Juarez, Mexico


21. Baltimore, Maryland, USA


22. Recife, Brazil


23. Maturin, Venezuela


24. Guatemala City, Guatemala


25. Salvador, Brazil


26. San Pedro Sula, Honduras


27. Valencia, Venezuela


28. Cali, Columbia


29. Chihuahua, Mexico


30.  João Pessoa, Brazil


31. Obregon, Mexico


32. San Juan, Puerto Rico


33. Barquisimeto, Venezuela


34. Manaus, Brazil


35. Distrito Central, Honduras


36. Tepic, Mexico


37. Palmira, Columbia


38. Reynosa, Mexico


39. Porto Alegre. Brazil


40. Macapa, Brazil


41. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA


42. Detroit, Michican, USA


43. Mazatlán, Mexico


44. Durban, South Africa


45. Campos dos Goytacazes, Brazil


46. Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa


47. Campina Grande, Brazil


48. Teresina, Brazil


49. Vitoria, Brazil


50. Cúcuta, Colombia

Seguridad, Justicia Y Paz blames much of the violence on drug cartel turf wars, economic crises, and violence perpetrated by gangs like MS-13.

Do you have any doubt that violence will be abundant when the SHTF?

All you need to do is look at this list and study these cities to see how violence escalates when the rule of law collapses, when economies crash and people starve, when police officers go dirty, and when criminal gangs turn into the ruling class.

This is just further evidence to support my belief that preppers must be armed. If you are prepping to survive a long-term event, make sure that you plan to survive the escalation of violence, too.

[WATCH] VA Lawmaker’s Speech On Guns Offends Dems, Causes Them To WALK OUT

A Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates has offended a lot of Democrats with his powerful speech on guns that quickly went viral, raking in over 13 million Facebook views since Friday. Nick Freitas finally hit the nail on the head and told gun grabbers the truth, much to their discontent.

The speech laid out the unfortunate history of the left in America. Desiring government control over their lives and the lives of others from the beginning was always designed to harm people, not help them. According to the Daily Wire, Freitas happened to be the man who finally just cut to the chase with Democrats.

“For several days now, some Democrats in the Virginia House of Delegates have made public speeches comparing those of us who take our oath to the Constitution seriously, to include the 2nd Amendment, to Nazis and segregationists,” wrote the delegate on Facebook captioning his speech, which he dubbed as his “response” to such attacks.

“It’s really difficult to have an open and honest debate about this […] because members of this body are comparing members of [the Republican] side of the aisle to Nazis,” he said, adding that it was particularly offensive that GOP members were also compared to “segregationists.” Freitas continued saying, “It was not our party that supported slavery, that fought women’s suffrage, that rounded up tens of thousands of Asian Americans and put them in concentrations camps, that supported Jim Crow, that supported segregation, or supported mass resistance — that wasn’t our party, that was the Democrat Party,” he said. “I’d be really appreciative that every time you want to make a powerful point, you don’t project the sins, the atrocities, and the injustices the Democratic Party perpetrated on others onto us,” slammed the Republican.

He also noted the lame talking point that Republicans representatives are “paid off” by the National Rifle Association (NRA). “Why don’t you look at how much Planned Parenthood pays compared to the NRA?” he said. A true conversation, he said, “starts with a certain degree of mutual respect.” Democrats were incredibly triggered by the Republican’s remarks; so much so, that apparently the acknowledgment of the disturbing history of the Democratic Party made them uneasy to the point that they actually cried racism. As reported by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Delegate, Lamont Bagby said he viewed Freitas’ remarks as racial “dog-whistling.”

“We realize that we live in an ugly political moment. So while we were offended, we were not surprised,” said Bagby. “It should embarrass every member of this body that we have allowed such rhetoric to enter these chambers. Bringing up a very painful past to make a political point is disgusting and poisonous.”

Remember: it’s fine to suggest Republicans are choosing NRA money over saving children’s lives, or branding them as Nazis and segregationists for disagreeing with Democratic talking points, but it is unacceptable — a racial dog-whistle actually — to bring up historical truths about the Party of Slavery. –The Daily Wire

The Daily Sheeple touched on something very similar yesterday in response to leftists believing they are being bullied. The left is now accusing gun owners of bullying when someone corrects a gun grabbers nomenclature. For example, when the term “clip” is used instead of “magazine.”

The mainstream media is now claiming that it’s “bullying” to correct a gun control activist when they use the wrong nomenclature while discussing the guns they know almost nothing about. Apparently, being wrong is perfectly acceptable and it’s “mean” if you educate an indoctrinated fool.

But the problem is that all of those terms actually DO matter and they matter immensely when talking about which things should be and can be banned.  That’s why gun owners correct those who use the terms wrong. And if you still believe that the “AR” in AR-15 stands for assault rifle, your opinion on gun laws is less than relevant.

This isn’t “bullying.”  According to Google, bullying is defined as use superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants. No one is using superior strength or influence to intimidate anyone here. It’s nothing more than an attempt to educate the masses who have been indoctrinated with years of mainstream media bias against an inanimate object to the point that they know so little about something they hate so much.–The Daily Sheeple

When we are living at the height of leftist propaganda, it’s nice when one person can stand up and lay out the truth for everyone. Freitas’ comments were met with extreme anger from the left probably because he labeled them accurately and refused to fall victim to their attempts at brainwashing.