Posted on 12/22/2011 9:55:45 AM PST by JohnKinAK
As the economic crisis has worsened over the last several years we have made it a point to inform our readers about the possibility of a system collapse so severe that the regular flow of commerce comes to a screeching halt. Planning for such a far-from-equilibrium scenario, which may very well involve the collapse of a nation’s currency, requires that we consider alternative monetary vehicles to help us get through tough times. In What is Money When The System Collapses? we outlined several supplies that would become essential in a post-collapse world. Thing like food, water, gas, and clothing would become necessities not just for your personal use, but as barterable assets.
We’ve always advocated investment into precious metals like gold, and especially silver in “junk” form, as these will likely be some of the few recognizable emerging currencies if the worst were to happen. Another asset class that will likely experience a boom in a post-collapse world is guns and ammunition.
If there’s one thing you may have noticed about guns and ammunition over the last ten years, and especially since the economic and financial collapse of 2008, it’s that prices for these assets have steadily risen. Some may suggest this is a side effect of inflation, and while we won’t disagree that inflation has played a part, it is only a symptom of a deeper, more fundamental issue that is driving the value of these assets to historical highs.
The people have lost confidence in the government’s ability to mitigate this crisis and they have no trust that government officials have their best interests at heart. Recent developments on financial, economic, and political fronts have left aware and responsibility-minded Americans with no choice but to take their financial and physical security into their own hands. As a result we’ve seen sustained multi-year growth growth in the value of traditional wealth preservation assets of last resort like gold and silver. Moreover, and quite telling of the lack of trust the American people have in their government, there has been an unprecedented growth in the number of Americans investing in non-traditional stores of wealth that include assets like guns and ammunition.
For many, guns and ammo are the new gold and silver. Historically these assets have retained or increased their value, while also serving a practical purpose for post-collapse emergency preparedness planning.
Via Ammo.net:
Some of the fear-based psychological reasons for gold’s popularity in times of economic crisis appear to be similar to the reasons cited for purchasing guns and ammunition. Michael Thompson, a small business owner from Virginia, had this to say about why he recently purchased 2,000 rounds of 223 ammunition to go with his growing collection of AR-15 assault rifles: “Since ARs are so well-known & widespread, quality ones don’t really go down in value. I don’t trust what’s going on in Washington and a reliable firearm that’ll hold it’s value plus ammo that I can always re-sell later if I don’t use it up seems like as safe a place as any to put my money in these uncertain times.”
…
Dustin Ramsey, a 28 year old self-proclaimed “realist” from Tennessee who says hunting and fishing are two of his favorite outdoor activities, counts the 5,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition he keeps on-hand as one of his investments along with gold coins: “I’m a hunter so I know I can use my guns & ammo to feed my family if something happens to our usual food supply and there’s a run at our grocery store. Plus, it seems like somebody on Wall Street is always getting bailed out nowadays and my faith in the stock market has been gone for a long time. Look, I’ve seen what happens when times get tough and I figure I can always barter a popular caliber like 9mm for other supplies like I would with gold if push comes to shove. And if a crisis never materializes where I need my stash of ammo, I still love to shoot so those bullets won’t go to waste. Given the uncertainty in our world, ammunition seems more practical to me than gold, whether there’s an economic crisis or not.”
The following fact sheet (via Ammo.net) offers some compelling statistics for the viability of guns and ammunition as investment and/or wealth protections vehicles:
Firearms and ammunition may not be a typical investment asset for most, but considering the growth we have seen in the last decade, many more Americans are turning to them in times of uncertainty, crisis and distrust. We have yet to see our government make any significant changes to our economic policies, regulators continue to ignore the fraudulent activities and outright scams in financial circles, our currency is under threat of losing its world reserve status, more Americans than ever require government assistance just to put food on the table, and our liberties are being progressively restricted on an almost daily basis.
Given the reaction to these circumstances thus far, it should be apparent that for those looking to protect their wealth, as well as their lives as crime and violence rise, guns and ammunition may be an excellent egg to add to the diversification basket.
Yes you should. No time like the present.
(11) Women’s “hygiene” items. Just let your wife and daughter(s) run out, and your 1-10 list just got pre-empted. Just sayin’
Cor-Bon DPX is almost as difficult to find as Silver Eagles. And just about as expensive.
That is a very informative graph at the website!
>> “Better allocation of my dollars to cheaper things that will have more utility” <<
.
Until others decide that you’ve misused your utilities, and cancel your subscription.
Damn, I’m finally rich!
It is much more likely that the government will outlaw guns and ammo rather than gold.
In a SHTF situation, the government will clamp down severely using powers of the Patriot Act, FEMA, the National Guard, and executive orders from the President.
We are only 1 vote, 1 Supreme Court Justice appointment, away on the Supreme Court to have it ruled that American citizens do not have any individual right to bear arms.
Whoever is elected President in 2012 will appoint at least 2 judges, and will thus ultimately decide if Americans are allowed to possess guns.
Even lefties are stocking up, having come to realize that advocating and impementing silly and evil stuff has bad consequences.
And, the guy with the lead can take as much gold, canned goods, water, etc from those that don't have lead.
I reloaded 5,000 rnds of 5.56 and 3,000rnds of 9mm over the summer.
That’s on top of 8,000 rnds and 2,000 rnds of factory ammo.
I think I’m relatively set ;)
In deference to Islam, I use my left hand.
But I use another paper product other than toilet paper ...
If anyone is interested I have a .44 mag Ruger Blackhawk for sale at $1606/tr oz.
In a SHTF situation, the government will clamp down severely using powers of the Patriot Act, FEMA, the National Guard, and executive orders from the President.
I don't mean to fault you for your out-of-box thinking - more of which we need - but that scenario's becoming more unlikely over time. You know why? With the increasing militarization of the police, guns become (relatively speaking) less and less of a threat to them. As long as the constabulary is much better armed than the armed citizen, the armed citizen won't be much of a threat to the constabulary.
Also, in combination with the above point, it's good PR to let people keep their guns. Better that the average armed citizen has no obvious cause to get "unruly."
piker - he should keep a full day's supply
How hygienic of you!
Old rule of thumb: a good handgun is always worth an ounce of gold.
Huh?
History throughout the world shows that as governments become more powerful, bigger, more controlling, as they become more tyrannical, the governments more and more restrict or take away the guns of the citizens.
Another factor is the overpopulating of the country. As populations increase the governments exert more control and there becomes less and less personal individual liberties. The US is the fastest growing country in the world, mainly due to immigration, and the high birth rates of latinos, blacks, and new immigrants. There will be 400 million people in the US by 2050 and over a billion by the end of the century.
I dont see any way at all that guns will be legal for citizens to own or possess in a United States which has a population of a billion people.
My personal goal is 365 rolls of TP in case the SHTF and we have to go a year without a grocery store. LOL!!
223 and 308...
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