Consider why tiny Switzerland has never been invaded by its much more powerful and often bellicose neighbors. It’s not because of the Alps. It’s because the Swiss have a strong tradition of armed self-defense at every level. Both invading armies and criminal gangs go around “hard targets” that are known to shoot back!
I love the quote (perhaps a fiction for all I know, but I like the attitude) attributed to a Swiss politician or diplomat when he was told by his German counterpart that the German army alone had twice as many people as the entire population of Switzerland. The Swiss guy said "Then we'll each have to shoot twice."
BTTT
Excellent essay Matt, thanks for sharing.
Here’s a youtube clip I did, on 2A:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qn5E_TnEerA&feature=player_embedded
While today you have to consider the legal consequences of arming another person, specially in Argentina where only people with gun permits can handle guns and you are legally responsible for what gets done with your weapon, the ability to arm others shouldn’t be underestimated.
I once mentioned that I gave my brother a 38 Special snub nose revolver just a couple hours after he landed in Argentina.
My brother doesn’t know how to perform a tactical reload, he doesn’t know what SUL means or the best way to resolve corners, but I trust him enough not to shoot anything that doesn’t need to be shot. That’s enough in most cases where you end up arming others.
If the situation is bad enough, there no help coming. You have to ask yourself, how long can I stay alert before falling asleep, how long can I stand guard? With some basic instruction you can have a few people doing shifts after some basic instructions, mostly about gun safety handling and when NOT to shoot. Later on if the situation goes on you can teach them more but none of this would even be possible if you don’t have the minimum tools. That is, a few extra guns, ammo and holsters.
I have a couple extra 38 special revolvers for this reason. Also a couple more Hi Power 9mms and 45 ACP pistols. I have 5 or 6 extra police surplus leather flap holsters. These come with the cross chest sling needed to carry it. You can simply tote it like that. A belt would add extra stability but you can do without it, and the holster itself has an extra magazine pouch. Space for two mags for the 45 ACP. Not the latest tactical piece of gear, not even the best or the most practical, but its perfect for a grunt newbie and it cost less than 3 dollars each.
As of right now, there are some towns and districts in Argentina were the neighbors themselves run patrols and stand guard at night, armed. Legal? No it isn’t but it’s the unwritten agreement they made with authorities that simply can’t protect the people. Saw it on the news a couple days ago.
Chile is another good example. People organized and look after each other. There was a man that explained the problem he had, not having anyone nearby to stand guard when he fell asleep.
The chances of this happening may not seem that big, but it does happen and there’s many scenarios where you may need armed neighbors. Recent, real world scenarios.
These are things that can be taken into account when adding more weapons to your collection.
FerFAL
Well done!
Good read, as always.
I have enough stock to take care of our little cul de sac in the mountains. A few of the neighbors are liberal, but at the same time living out here makes a difference. We’ve fought brush fires together, looked out for each other’s kids and pets, brought food to each other when ill, plowed and shoveled each other out of snow and mud, and never discussed politics at neighborhood BBQ’s. We’ve learned that we have to count on each other first.
If it comes to it, I’ll make the offer without hesitation.
And after scrolling thru, I see he is already here!
Oh for the days of the $50 M/N M44, or the $100 SKS. Always wanted to buy a case of them for friends & family in a pinch. Any current C&R deals?
Excellent read, Matt. Very well done. As you say, a lot of people have been doing it for a while, but it is very topical at present. It is one of the reasons that I have pushed the CCW bandwagon so hard. A neighbor who has carried for a few years has thought a lot of thing through. Carrying a weapon for your defense brings on a whole new, benefical mind set.
If there was ever a thread crying for the Freeper who usually posts the link to “What good is a Handgun against an Army” link...THIS is it.
Not saying I took a first step to this today, but I have changed my equation. After my personal arms stash was decimated in a divorce, I slowly started acquiring firearms necesseties. (Decent Handgun, rifle, and simple 22/410 combo)
Won’t get into details of earlier, but with my tax return, I will be buying a Ruger 22/45 pistol and a 10/22 this week.
Simple, reliable, accurate, easy to build on, and they provide inexpensive practice. Can cheaply build large ammo stocks quickly, and they are competent fill ins for the few larger weapons I have in a pinch.
Then I can slowly build my larger caliber ammuniiton stocks, and maybe even get a couple more larger caliber weapons. In the meantime I have a serviceable stable of weapons that are backed up by the .22s.
May not be a perfect plan, but none is. This may give me the ability to arm others in a pinch to if need be.
I’m good on most fronts. What I could use is more tactical shotgun ammo. But it’s so expensive buying those little five-packs.
Where can I get a good supply of 12-gauge buck shot?
Is there really anyone who hasn’t obtained an armory by now for a variety of reasons?
I wish I had bought a dozen of those Yugo SKS rifles when they were $80 each.
I bought a Rossi .410/.22lr sindle shot weapon with interchangeable barrels. Then I put a forend vertical grip on the shotgun forend. Then I took a butt sock for 9 rifle cartridges and attached the hook side of 2 inch wide velcro to the back of the cut off cartridge slot portion (ruined the slip on of the butt sock, but they only cost $8 bucks) and the felt side of the velcro to the butt stock of the shotgun ... using 'industrial strength velcro available at Lowes and Home Depot. The velcro method allows the shotgun ammo to be kept separate from the weapon until needed, and then merely slapping the nine cartridge row to the felt portion on the stock allows quick loading and reloading. I then attached and accuratized a red laser.
Total cost for the finished product is just under $220, taxes and puchases in all. A .410 can use the Taurus Judge shotgun #4 shot ammo and even 410 slugs ... but not the 45 Long Colt because it generates too much pressure with the choked shotgun barrel. BUT, the weapon is deadly accurate up to ten yards and may be stored with ammo and weapon separate but quick to battery condition.
Next I purchased a couple of SUB 2000 KelTec carbines for 9MM, in the Beretta (I have extra 30 round mags) and Glock magazine issuance. With a laser on the weapons, these too mke formidable defense weapons with little or no practice bringing them to battery when ammo and weapon are kept separate.
I'm now working on a couple of M1Carbines which will be fed soft point 30 carbine rounds from thirty round mags. By looking for Universal Carbines in good condition, the cost for an M1 can be kept under four hundred dollars. I happened upon a nice Rock-Ola wile acquiring the first Universal, which I'm rebuilding the bolt on to be sure of firing condition. The Rock-Ola didn't need anything but a new home ;^) .
The next project is to put into 'psitol grip collapsible stock mode four ver inexpensive mag fed .22 lr rifles, chosen because of ease to shoot with no recoil, using a laser sight and the mmo can again be kept separate from the weapon using magazines loaded with hollow point ammo in the hi capacity range. The Mossberg Plinker is $107 at Wally world, and the Marlin 795 is currently $135, with Marlin sending a $25 rebate after purchase! A laser for these weapons runs under $20 and is easy to attach and accuratize. Extra ten round mags are available for both rifles, and 15 round mag are easily altered to work in the Marlin 795.
The point is, being well trained in use of a rifle/carbine need not be assumed for home defense since lasers and red dots sights ar now so reliable and easy to mount on the weapon and use. Ammo can be stored separate from the weapon in homes where small children could access the weapon, and the punching of many small holes rapidly will deter folks who need killin'. Even a 22lr is deadly with enough lead spit from it.
BTW, look into the European American Arms revolvers ... .357 2" barrel six shooters are right at $200 new at our local gunshows, and one can load with Hydra Shok .38 specials.
The only time a guy can have ‘too many’ firearms is when you are trying to swim with them...
In difficult times, those we trust who come to us will be fed, clothed and armed. ‘nuff said.
I live in NYC, will accept donations. :)