Packing

“I know how good a gun feels. It makes you bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, three meters tall and covered with hair. You’re ready for anything and kind of hoping you’ll find it. Which is exactly what is dangerous about it – because you aren’t anything of the sort. You are a feeble, hairless embryo, remarkably easy to kill.
- Tunnel in the Sky by Robert A Heinlein

The protagonist in Heinlein’s novel is wondering about what sort of gun would be best for a survival test, and his advisor convinces him not take one. I’m not going to say you shouldn’t carry a weapon, but I do want to talk about the role firearms should play in your preparations.

First, let’s be honest. Guns are cool. Carrying a gun makes you feel cool. Further, it makes you feel powerful and in control, whereas in reality you are not. It does have its uses, and to be without a firearm in a major crisis that involves a serious breakdown of civic authority will likely make you a victim.

Unfortunately, a disproportionately large amount of writing, money and effort have gone into the firearms aspect of prepping. What gun to buy, how many, marksmanship, small unit tactics and endless thinking about scenarios (or fantasies) of how they might be used take up far too much time and effort. Far too little time is spent on how and when not to use them and what might be the disadvantages of using firearms.

The first disadvantage is illustrated by the quote at the start of the article. Guns make you feel confident, safe and secure, when in reality you are nothing of the sort. It doesn’t matter if you are carrying the ultimate battle rifle and plenty of ammunition if someone shoots you between the eyes with a single shot bolt action .22 as you saunter down a trail armed to the teeth. A rifle won’t save you if you step in someone’s well made punji pit, or take cover behind a rock that has a black powder nail bomb waiting for you.

The second disadvantage is that once you pull the trigger, you have announced your presence to anyone within a mile or two at the very least. In my opinion, one of the highest priorities after a major collapse would be keeping a low profile and that includes strict noise discipline. The report of a rifle is pretty much unmistakable for what it is, and is going to give anyone that wants it a rough bearing to your location.

Some might argue that a firearm is necessary for gathering food. In response, I’d argue that hunting with a rifle is a remarkably inefficient way to harvest wild game. You are far better off using traps and snares which multiply your effort for little expenditure of energy, and will not startle other game in the area. Even larger game such as deer can be taken with appropriate traps.

If you must hunt, consider using a bow. Although some types of bows require a fairly large investment of time to master, crossbows are easy to use and configured much like a rifle. All bows are almost silent in use (compared to a gun), and often as deadly in hunting.

Let’s look at some of the things that go along with guns and prepping. One is marksmanship, which I have no argument with, other than you also need to practice with things like bows and slingshots, in my opinion.

Another thing is the heavy emphasis put on small unit tactics and training. I;ve lost count of the videos I’ve seen with camo-clad guys sneaking about the bush in the best imitation infantry style. While training to work and fight as a team is good, too much time and effort go into it, and very little on camouflage, evasion, noise discipline and so on. You know, the things that keep you from being noticed and keep you out of the firefight rather than being in the position of having to win one.

Again, I’m not saying guns are bad. I believe that they are essential tools to have in the event of a major collapse. I just believe they should be the last option you go to, rather than the first. Once you start shooting, someone is going to get hurt, and that someone might be you, or someone close to you. So avoiding confrontation through other methods is far preferable than a shootout at the O.K. Corral.

It’s just common sense.