Protecting Your Stuff
If luck or planning lets your live through the immediate disaster -- the hurricane passes, the earthquake dies down or the riots are quelled -- you are faced with the longer task of living through the aftermath. All the topics we've dealt with earlier -- food, water, shelter and emergency medicine -- are critical. But you have to hang on to all four to survive, and many of those who are less-prepared may envy your stash and wish to make it their own. See the scenario we put together for an example.
You need to protect yourself both from those who see the situation as an opportunity to cash in and those who are so desperate they have no way to survive except by taking your stuff. You will run into the first (criminals) early in a long-term survival situation. The second will be a later phenomenon, after their meager supplies have petered out and the hand of government is nowhere to be found.
There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from these and others who threaten your survival:
- Keep a low profile. The fewer people who know you have a huge
stash of food and water, the less who will turn to you. This also
means don't flaunt it and create resentment. Don't be boiling
beef stew in the afternoon over a backyard fire when others are
starving and not expect trouble. Instead, use a camp stove in
your fireplace late at night.
- Do not seek to profiteer from your advanced planning. This
will result in resentment and possible retribution. If you have
a surplus and wish to part with some goods, you will earn friends
by giving it away or selling it at cost. If you sell it at ridiculously
high prices, you'll earn nothing but hate and resentment. (Frankly,
Captain Dave feels your better off keeping or using surplus items
for trade.)
- After disaster strikes, post signs saying looters will be shot. Like an alarm sign, this won't deter someone who seriously wants what you have, but it may send potential thieves and looters to easier targets. During "normal" times, there is an unfortunate liability associated with displaying "Protected by Smith & Wesson" bumper stickers and wearing T-shirts that boldly proclaim "I don't dial 911, I call on .357." In the potentially lawless aftermath of a disaster, Captain Dave believes the benefit of such a sign will outweigh the liability.
If you are threatened by looters or other criminals, you probably only have two choices: Turn tail and run or display a firearm you are prepared to use. This latter technique served Korean merchants well in the L.A. Riots. If you choose to include weapons as part of your survival stash (a move Captain Dave encourages) you must have the will and the skill to use them successfully. Otherwise, you'd probably have been better off taking option one and hightailing it out of there, giving up your stash but hopefully saving your life.
Your Survival Weapons
Choosing the best survival weapons will depend on your needs. Do you wish to protect yourself from a single intruder or a large group? Will you be engaging targets at close or long range? Do you wish to hunt as well?
Your answer may be "all of the above," which is why
Captain Dave recommends the following survival weapons:
- One or two pistols for every adult or adolescent capable of
using it. Should be at least .38/9mm caliber or larger.
- A 12 gauge shotgun for all large adults. 20 gauge for smaller-statured
adults. Either semi-auto or pump, the higher capacity the better.
Stock both bird shot, buck loads and slugs.
- A semi-automatic battle rifle, such as a AR-15, FAL, H&K,
AK-47, SKS or Ruger mini 14. At least one for every two adults
capable of firing it. An AR-15 is preferred because it has ammo
and parts interchangability with our country's standard issue weapon.
- A large scope-equipped rifle capable of engaging man-sized
targets 400 yards or more.
- Stock up on high-capacity magazines and ammunition as well. Captain Dave recommends a minimm of 10 high-capacity magazines and 1,000 rounds for your "battle" rifles. Additional ammunition is a good idea. If you do not need to use it, it can be an excellent barter item.
This is a good firearms stash that, used properly, can help you protect yourself in many situations. You will be able to carry the pistols concealed if you are not expecting imminent trouble but wish to be prepared. The shotguns are excellent close-quarter combat weapons, ideal for defending your home. The .223 rifles are not only intimidating, they are able to sustain a high level of suppressing fire and provide both offensive and defensive fire. The large hunting or sniping rifle (in 30-06, .308, 7mm or a similar caliber) is good for hunting and reaching out and touching someone.
Suppose you only have a pistol and a .22 rifle. Well, you're better off than many. There's a good bit of truth to clichés like "better a hit with a .22 than a miss with a .45." Hopefully, just the visible presence of a firearm will be enough to quell any problems.
Heavy Weapons
Owning fully automatic weapons and other "weapons of destruction" such as grenades and rockets is illegal for the average citizen. While you may be able to obtain a class III firearms license, the process is difficult and the weapons expensive. That means most of us will need to rely on home made weapons.
Captain Dave recommends Molotov cocktails, which can be made by
mixing gasoline with detergent. He does not recommend experimenting
with home made explosives.
For those interested, TEOTWAWKI, a survival novel, discusses ways to take out tanks and other heavy vehicles.