As a self-professed gun guy, I face a challenge every time I go to a gun store. The challenge is to not buy a gun.
A few years ago, I decided to limit myself to buying no more than one gun per year, and I’ve been very good about it. But it hasn’t been easy. For example, on Monday, multiple YouTubers showed reviews of the Benelli M4 EXT, a new version of a gun I have long admired.
The problem is I don’t need a shotgun. I already have a few, including a tactical model I used in three-gun competition that fills the same role as the Benelli and is probably just as good, at least in my hands. In fact, it holds more rounds, even if it lacks the adjustable stock.
The Benelli is a $2,300 gun, so the decision not to buy it wasn’t a hard one. If I want to spend $2,300, I can think of many other things that I need more than yet another shotgun. One is another chainsaw, which I mentioned last week. Sadly, I don’t find cutting down trees as satisfying as ringing steel targets, and the idea of searching for the “perfect” chainsaw is not as appealing as shopping for a new gun. However, a second chainsaw with a longer bar would fill a prepping need and cost far less than the Benelli. More antibiotics is another item we could use that is more important than more guns and ammo.
For those of you who still make emotional decisions on a whim, not buying an expensive gun I want is an example of rational thinking and demonstrates maturity. I encourage you give it a try.
A Common Problem
I think the tendency to buy guns and ammo at the expense of other prepping gear is common among a subset of preppers that is mostly—but not exclusively—male and often has LEO or military experience. I don’t blame them; guns are useful in a host of prepping scenarios. They can put food on your table, protect you in a world WROL and from people who want to take your stuff after the SHTF. Heck, they can protect you from criminals and tyrants before the SHTF, too. They are also an important ingredient in being independent.
But there is more to prepping than being well armed, which is why self-defense is not included in the Big Three prepping needs of food, water, and shelter. While I wore my Glock every day after Hurricane Helene hit, I never once needed it. I did, however, have to eat and drink every day, and I was glad to still have a roof over my head every night.
I bet there were people who would have traded a gun for a solar generator and 400 watts of panels after the storm. Likewise, when we finally went to town and got access to the Internet on Day 9, communications was as or more important than being prepared to defend ourselves because the aftermath of Helene turned out to be a non-self-defense scenario.
I was not alone in my thinking, however, as I saw at least two other people open carrying. We know from history that looting often takes place after disasters, but there was little of it in this area. Maybe the prevalence of guns and the common knowledge that many people are “packing” prevented the looting. Or maybe people in this area just aren’t lowlife looters. We’ll never know.
The Opposite Problem
Some preppers take the opposite approach and want nothing to do with guns. I think this is a mistake and may lower their survivability.
I would like to get through my next disaster scenario without the need to draw my weapon or grab my 12-gauge semiauto to face a large group of people who are marching up our private road, but I am prepared to do so if necessary. If you are unarmed, then how will you stop that group from taking your supplies or your young daughter? How will you stop a bad guy from killing if you aren’t a good guy with a gun? In this day and age, the threat of force may be the only message some people understand. And when there are no rules, a warning shot may accomplish more than a kind word.
I also readily admit that there are some people who should not carry guns. This especially applies to those who are not mentally stable, people who have anger management problems, or who cannot take a life. If that is you, and you realize it, then more power to you. I recommend you team up with someone who is willing and able to defend you in an SHTF scenario where the rule of law has been replaced by the rule of whoever is the strongest.
Getting Geared Up
If you have food but no guns, below are a couple of articles to get you started.
Building an armory doesn’t have to be expensive. You can still get some decent new guns and excellent used guns for $200. You have to be careful, of course, because you can also get some really crappy guns for $200.
My first Ruger 10/22 cost $159.99 at a local sporting goods store. Earlier this month, I received an advertisement from Palmetto State Armory offering a 10/22 with a case and a 3×9 scope for $269. That’s a bargain price for a gun almost every prepper should have in their armory. Just be sure to stockpile some ammo.
Fixing your Food Storage
If you have guns and little prepper food, then work on your prepper pantry. Below are three posts that will help you get started. This blog has almost 2,000 posts. Click on a tag or use to search bar to find answers to your prepping questions.
