The Pros and Cons of Single-Family Self-Sufficiency

Don Hodge for 4^thTriage

with contributions by Will Stewart

We pretty much think of self-sufficiency in the terms of a single-family situation. Most “preparedness”, “self-sufficiency”, and “survivalist” material is geared for the family unit – the basic building block of human civilization.

One reason we like this approach is the freedom to make our own decisions. We like to be able to choose to plant swiss chard and tomatoes as opposed to zucchini and collards – or vice versa. Even if someone else thinks our decisions are foolish or will produce less. Hey, maybe we like swiss chard and hate zucchini. Maybe we prefer container gardening to planting raised beds; or raising goats as opposed to catfish; or solar vs. wind vs. not there yet. Freedom to choose.

There is another reason that many of us don’t proceed past the single-family approach. This reason is often hidden and unstated. We simply don’t like the hassle of persuading others to do something. What seems obvious and good to us, often isn’t seen by others as such a smart idea. They may not see the ROI – Return On Investment – as being worth the materials used, time spent, or rewards. In fact, sometimes others can be downright rude in expressing their thoughts about our ideas. So there is a lot less hassle with a single-family approach. No question about that. The family unit is where it is easiest to come to a decision to actually do something. The farther away you get from the family – to neighbors, to community government towards county, state, and finally national government/agencies – the harder it is to get people to agree anything needs to be done, let alone get anything done.

I would like to strongly suggest that a community group approach is necessary. It is a better way to achieve long-term self-sufficiency for your family. There are limits to what family units can accomplish alone – or find convenient to do without others.

First, some people have more advanced skills than our own. It makes more sense to concentrate on things we like to do (and are good at) and trade with those who do other things. It’s usually more efficient and saves you on having to spend the time learning and perfecting that skill and/or having to buy the tools needed for that. For example when is the last time you set the broken bones in your own leg, put new soles on your shoes, built a rocking chair, or grew your own coffee?

A second reason for groups is that some tasks are labor intensive – moving heavy equipment like a large refrigerator, building a barn, repairing fences, getting in the harvest, drilling a well, digging a methane digester, putting up a tower for a wind generator, or chasing down those pesky animals that got out of the pasture. Also in a disaster (winter storm, tornado, flooding, man-made, etc.) the police, medical, and firefighters may be busy or even unable to respond. You and any neighbors may have to handle it and provided your own public services.

A third reason for groups is that you may have to provide your own security. That of course includes the public services listed above. However, there are more and more criminals in our society who seem to be getting bolder. These criminals and thieves act in seconds. The police respond in minutes AFTER they are notified that there is a problem - in the best of times. The police, by and large, do a great job but their response time gets worse – bad weather hinders things even more - if you live outside of the city. They try but distance is a great hurdle when seconds and minutes count. Okay, forewarned is forearmed. You can prepare for the occasional thief and violent criminal. Preferably with a neighborhood response plan.

Question: how do you respond to a group of bikers or gangbangers that show up in your isolated stretch of country? It really doesn’t matter whether it’s a drug deal or whatever, the potential for a large problem is staring you in the face. Well, you say “It will never happen in my area”. Really? You can guarantee that? Well, you might be right. I hope you are right. But what if something does happen? History tells us that “Stuff” really does happen in our backyards. The real question is what is the cost to your family if something happens and you have not prepared for it?

Remember, it will take long minutes for the police to arrive after they are notified.

If you are dealing with groups of looters (think Katrina) or criminals, you better have firearms and a secure place to go - at a minimum. Organized groups are better at defending against the bad guys than single-family units. A couple of points here. 1) It does not matter to you if the people who hurt/kill you are just scared or thugs. The result is the same. 2) Organized does not mean I have a gun, I am invincible. Organized means preparation ahead of time. It lays out who does what and when they do it. It might be as simple as everyone ducking for cover and calling the cops. Or a number of people poking guns out windows – as happened in a small West Virginia town to a group bikers looking for fun. The bikers then felt they needed the State Police to get the townspeople to let the bikers go. Whatever, you all need to be on the same page or people will get hurt. You will need to practice, practice, practice.

Please note we ARE talking about a Neighborhood Watch plugged into the local police and coordinated with them, NOT A MILITIA. If there is some regional or national disaster and relief hasn’t arrived for several weeks THEN your Neighborhood Watch COULD evolve into a Militia.

One last point on the need for the security a group can provide. A single-family unit – particularly if isolated – is vulnerable to a lone sniper who fades in and out picking off family members one at a time. Afterwards he would take what he wanted and disappear. While this is much more likely after some disruption or catastrophe, it could happen quite easily today. You would need a group of people devoting a lot of time (time that a single-family unit can’t afford) to eliminate that sniper.

A fourth advantage is the efficiencies you can have with a group in your neighborhood (or close by). You can combine a lot of your activities to everyone’s benefit. You can combine your sales efforts in your roadside stands, farm markets, and deliveries to local stores and restaurants. You can rotate the labor involved in those tasks and other things. Also if you form a Grange or Co-op, you can pool together on the costs of some community equipment.

In summary the advantages of the single-family approach are:

• Freedom of choice
• No hassle from trying to persuade others

The advantages of the community group approach are:

• Freedom of choice
• Ability to concentrate on what you do best and avoid the extra cost of some tools
• Provide the man-power for labor intensive tasks
• Provide better security
• Provide marketing and labor efficiencies

THINK ABOUT IT.

 

Solar Flare & EMP Threats

Solar Flare & EMP Threats

Don Hodge for 4^th Triage

In collaboration with Will Stewart

So why is there interest about solar flares and EMP? Are these credible potential problems/threats or are they the next fear monger’s “Global Warming” scare? Are they coming soon to a planet near you?

It is worth noting that while a terrorist EMP attack is categorized as “IF it will happen” (hopefully something we will prevent), a Solar Flare or Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) is a case of “WHEN will it happen”. And how big will it be.

Here’s an extract from an article (6) (italics added):

Last week we were attacked by the sun. For real. Huge solar eruptions sent a blast of radiation toward Earth. Thankfully, the planet’s natural magnetic shield warded off the worst effects. Life went on uninterrupted.

Here’s an extract from a great article from 10-26-2010 in USA Today (1):

“The sky erupts. Cities darken, food spoils and homes fall silent. Civilization collapses.

End-of-the-world novel? A video game? Or could such a scenario loom in America's future?”

Here’s an extract from another article (2):

“Did you know a solar flare can make your toilet stop working?”

That is the surprising results of a study “by the National Academy of Sciences entitled Severe Space Weather Events—Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts. In the 132-page report, experts detailed what might happen to our modern, high-tech society in the event of a "super solar flare" followed by an extreme geomagnetic storm. They found that almost nothing is immune from space weather—not even the water in your bathroom.”

Here’s an extract from another article (10):

“There’s a direct relationship between how technologically sophisticated a society is and how badly it could be hurt. That’s the meta-message of the report. “

Here’s an extract from an article by Ken Timmerman (1a) (Italics and underlining added): “Within 12 months of an EMP attack or a massive solar flare, between two-thirds to 90 percent of the U.S. population would perish” from lack of electricity, Pry said, quoting the conclusions from the EMP Commission's two public reports.

Okay. Are these a legitimate cause for some concern and preventative preparation? NASA, NOAA, the National Academy of Sciences, and several commissions created to examine these possibilities think so. Makes sense since electricity is the lynchpin to continuing our hi-tech Western Civilization. Without it for even a week, there would be a lot of suffering and economic loss. In summary, Bad Things happen. If a large enough area has the electric grid damaged and/or destroyed, recovery efforts will be severely delayed. If the damage covers a continent or more, recovery will probably take years (or decades) rather than months. A report suggests that a “super solar flare” could black out the electricity for 130 million people in the USA (2). Another report pegs the recovery period at 4 to 10 years for such an event (10). NOTE: our research causes us to feel those to estimates are low and ignore some things. These estimates require an event of very large magnitude, but ignore the disruption such an event would cause to any potential rescue/recovery effort.

Unfortunately our society doesn’t have much margin for error before people are at risk. Basic systems effected would include: water, sewage, pumping gasoline/diesel, long distance transportation (and our just-in-time delivery system), heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, manufacturing, medical services/hospitals, phone/TV/radio/short wave communications, lighting, and the thousands of things that use electricity. Did I mention the electric grid overloads can burn out and damage large transformers (which are essential for moving power over long distances) beyond repair? Current waiting time to produce a new one may be up to a year. Did I mention that EMP (which can also be produced from a solar flare) fries unprotected electronics? You can protect some electronics by simple Faraday cages – if the device is within the cage when the EMP occurs.

When thinking about the possible impacts on your family’s lives, please consider three things: 1) almost all consumables are not produced or grown locally (or within that mythical 100 miles); 2) consumable items must be brought in frequently to your location – some, like food, several times a week; and 3) if the emergency is long enough, no matter how much you’ve stored you will run out of whatever you can’t grow, raise, or make.

Here’s some background info. The sun has a basic cycle of sunspots averaging 11.1-years bundled in pairs or 22.2 years with a plus/minus variable (6). This gives rise to some debate as to exactly when the next peak or maximum will occur. Estimates range from September 2012 through May 2014 (see charts at reference 9). Solar Flares may occur at any time but there seem to be more and larger ones at the end of a cycle. Sunspots are cooler areas (which look like dark spots) where magnetic lines of force break through the surface of the sun. These lines of force are twisted like spaghetti because the sun’s equator completes a revolution in 25 days while the poles take 35 days. Longer solar cycles of up to 85 years complicate precision even farther. They have resulted in prolonged periods of warming (e.g. Middle Age Warming Period, 850-1300 AD) and cooling (Little Ice Age, from 1450s into 1820).

Geerts and Linacre (8) note “Intuitively one may assume the that total solar irradiance would decrease as the number of (optically dark) sunspots increased. However direct satellite measurements of irradiance have shown just the opposite to be the case. This means that more sunspots deliver more energy to the atmosphere, so that global temperatures should rise.” This confirms what James Burke said (from on top of a glacier) in episode 6 of the 1976 Connections “It’s very simple, less sunspots means less heat.  Nobody knows why. But that event kicked off the medieval Ice age.”

This from Randy Mann’s article 4-9-2009 in The Spokane-Review (7):

“As I’ve mentioned in past articles, activity on our sun has been minimal over the last year. Within the last 30 days, there have been no sunspots visible. With few or no storms on the sun, the energy output has decreased about 0.1 percent. Although the percentage seems insignificant, global temperatures have cooled from the peak in the late 1990s. …

This current time frame of solar inactivity is lasting longer than expected. The last time our sun went on a long period of inactivity was during a 70-year span called the “Maunder Minimum.” This occurred between 1645 and 1715, which likely contributed to The Little Ice Age.”

Hence the Little Ice Age was caused/extended by 3 periods of minimum sunspot activity. (NOTE for what it’s worth we are in another minimum and may be heading into decreasing temperatures until 2040 - 2041.)

Briefly summarizing – a Solar Flare may result in billions or trillions of tons of plasma thrown out from the sun. If that CME plasma is headed our way, the main effect will show up on Earth in 3 or 4 days. There are three main areas of concern: the long wave radiation/particles creating Ground Induced Currents damaging electric grids worldwide; the short wave radiation or EMP after the long wave dissipates and is spent; and a concern raised at a Veterinarians Conference in Atlanta (September 2010) about potential mutations of viruses and parasites.

Three examples (in descending severity) that we have recorded are: the decade long lead up to the September 1859 Carrington Event; a significant 1921 event (about 50% of the 1859 event); and the March 9-13, 1989 event (about 33% of the 1859 event) which knocked down the power grid (within 90 seconds) leaving 6 million without power for 9 hours in Quebec Province and parts of the US. Briefly, the 1859 event: 1) induced electrical currents in telegraph wires which caused some offices to burn down; and 2) caused some electrically activated chemicals like dynamite to explode in various places. CMEs put the whole world’s electric grids, electronics (which are much more vulnerable today), satellites, communications, GPS, air travel, and many other systems at risk.

I want to emphasize again “There’s a direct relationship between how technologically sophisticated a society is and how badly it could be hurt. That’s the meta-message of the report.” (10)

An excellent novel exploring an EMP attack on the US and the aftermath is “One Second After” by William Forstchen.

“…Both public and private sectors need to pay more attention to “hardening” truly vital infrastructure to make it more resistant and resilient to natural and manmade threats.” (6)

Reference Links

Here are some great articles we’ve found that should be very helpful in providing background on these extremely dangerous threats to the world.

(1) For the best overview I’ve found so far, check out the link listed below to Dan Vergano’s USA Today article from 10/26/2010. It has some nice graphics also.

Electromagnetic pulse impact far and wide by Dan Vergano, USA TODAY http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2010 -10-26-emp_N.htm

Key extract from article:

“The sky erupts. Cities darken, food spoils and homes fall silent. Civilization collapses.

End-of-the-world novel? A video game? Or could such a scenario loom in America's future?”

(1a) Murkowski Blocks Effort to Protect US Power Grid

Thursday, 14 Oct 2010 06:50 PM By: Ken Timmerman

(Ed. Note: She lost in 2010 primary and reneged on promise to support the primary winner. Such integrity from a Senator. This is about the stalled 2010 bipartisan legislation.)

http://www.newsmax.com/KenTimmerman/lisa-murkowski-emp-energy/2010/10/14/id/373768

Key extract from article: (Italics and underlining added)

“Within 12 months of an EMP attack or a massive solar flare, between two-thirds to 90 percent of the U.S. population would perish” from lack of electricity, Pry said, quoting the conclusions from the EMP Commission's two public reports.

(2) Severe Space Weather-Social and Economic Impacts (NASA Science News article 1-21-2009)

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2009/21jan_severespaceweather/

Key extract from article:

“Did you know a solar flare can make your toilet stop working?”

That is the surprising results of a study “by the National Academy of Sciences entitled Severe Space Weather Events—Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts. In the 132-page report, experts detailed what might happen to our modern, high-tech society in the event of a "super solar flare" followed by an extreme geomagnetic storm. They found that almost nothing is immune from space weather—not even the water in your bathroom.”

(3) Here is the complete NASA 2008 Conference Report (published January 2009)

Severe Space Weather Events – Understanding Societal and Economic Impacts.

http://books.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12507

(4) Countering the EMP Threat: The Role of Missile Defense, a 2009 report from the Independent Working Group by Henry F. Cooper and Robert L. Pfaltzgraff, Jr. http://www.ifpa.org/pdf/IWGWhitePaper.pdf

(5) Space Forecasts, Solar Storms Report Coming Soon to Save the Power Grid

By Boonsri Dickinson November 3, 2010

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/space-forecasts-solar-storms-report-coming-soon-to-save-the-power-grid/

(6) Heratige Foundation blog article “End Of The World … For Real” -

http://blog.heritage.org/2010/08/16/end-of-the-world-for-real/

Posted August 16th, 2010 at 3:03pm in Protect America

Key extracts fron article: (Italics added for emphasis)

Last week we were attacked by the sun. For real. Huge solar eruptions sent a blast of radiation toward Earth. Thankfully, the planet’s natural magnetic shield warded off the worst effects. Life went on uninterrupted.

“…Both public and private sectors need to pay more attention to “hardening” truly vital infrastructure to make it more resistant and resilient to natural and manmade threats.”

(7) Solar Maximum Expected in 2012 by Randy Mann 4-9-2009 Spokane-Review

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/apr/09/solar-maximum-expected-in-2012/

Key extract fron article:

As I’ve mentioned in past articles, activity on our sun has been minimal over the last year. Within the last 30 days, there have been no sunspots visible. With few or no storms on the sun, the energy output has decreased about 0.1 percent. Although the percentage seems insignificant, global temperatures have cooled from the peak in the late 1990s. …

This current time frame of solar inactivity is lasting longer than expected. The last time our sun went on a long period of inactivity was during a 70-year span called the “Maunder Minimum.” This occurred between 1645 and 1715, which likely contributed to The Little Ice Age

(8) Sunspots and Climate by B. Geerts and E. Linacre (12/1997)

http://www-das.uwyo.edu/~geerts/cwx/notes/chap02/sunspots.html

(9) Solar Cycle Progression – NOAA/Space Weather Prediction Center

http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/SolarCycle/

(10) The 2012 Apocalypse — And How to Stop It by Brandon Keim, 4/17/2009

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/04/2012storms/

Key extract fron article:

There’s a direct relationship between how technologically sophisticated a society is and how badly it could be hurt. That’s the meta-message of the report.

The Christmas Prepper

It's Christmas and you still have only half of your list done, What is a good prepper to do?
I know. I know. We should have prepared, DUH.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I seem to be hard wired to remember my list on the 23rd.

The recent snow started this ball rolling for me. Last February a neighbor was snowed in so I took over some of my Freeze dried food.  That small gift got them thinking about how practical it is to prepare.

So here is a short list if you are stuck for a Christmas gift for your favorite prepper, Or maybe someone that's still on the fence.
While I'm on the subject; why stop at Christmas? I made it a new years resolution to send prepper items for every occasion for the new year.

Here is a sampling of the of items that might just jog your thinking.



DVD – John Jeavon’s “Grow Biointensive: A Beginner’s Guide in 8 Easy Sessions”
    Filmed at Ecology Action’s Research Farm.  $20. from Bountiful Gardens
    bountiful@sonic.net    (707) 459-6410  9 am – 4 pm PST M-F

Book – “The Resilient Gardner”  by Carol Deppe   $29.95 from Bountiful Gardens
    bountiful@sonic.net    (707) 459-6410  9 am – 4 pm PST M-F
     No gasoline, electricity, water?  How did peasants cope w/ climate change in the
    12th century?  Bad health limiting your gardening?  Carol offers creative, practical
solutions.  She lists crops to provide a balanced diet that are easy to process and
store.  Also recipes to provide great taste.

Seed packets – Easy Heirloom Collection   $26.50 from Bountiful Gardens
    bountiful@sonic.net    (707) 459-6410  9 am – 4 pm PST M-F
    Popular varieties and easy to grow for beginners.  13 packets include string beans,
beets, broccoli, carrot, corn, kale, lettuce, peas, sweet pepper, summer squash,
winter squash, sunflower and tomato

Book – “The New Self-Sufficient Gardner”  by John Seymour (2008)  
$19.95 from Bountiful Gardens
    bountiful@sonic.net    (707) 459-6410  9 am – 4 pm PST M-F
     Updated classic for container gardening up to the 25-acre farmer.


You can make a difference for someone even if it's a book or a single Can of Freeze dried food. Who knows maybe that one item will make all the difference.


Merry Christmas to One and All
From Will and Don

Helpful hint; Eye wear.

Goggles or safety glasses is an Item I strongly recommend for everyone to have with them in a disaster or chaotic situation.

For those that need them there are Bifocal safety glasses. Even surplus centers have them.

For those that have to wear glasses; It is a good idea to keep the previous pair at a minimum.

In a chaotic situation you may not be able to get a new pair.

It is even better to get a pair of the heavy duty sports glasses. They are much more durable than standard glasses and can be used as safety glasses in a pinch. They are designed to stay on with vigorous exercise.  In a disaster they could be invaluable.

If you are unable to get sports glasses for any reason. You need to consider getting standard glasses that are durable and you need to have headband style strap to keep them on during vigorous activity.

A pair of safety goggles or sunglasses that can be worn over your glasses is a very good idea.

This will protect the prescription lenses and that is an additional measure of keeping you glasses on and reducing the chances of damage or loss of the glasses as well as an additional measure of protection for your eyes.

Those that wear contact lenses should consider this seriously. In any disaster scenario you will have contaminants or irritants that you do not want on your hands let alone in your eyes.

You won't be as likely to get sterile saline or distilled water in a chaotic situation. If you have a lot of this stockpiled you will have to consider the impact this will have on what you can carry with you.

If the situation is unsettled long enough you may run out and not be able to obtain more.

You need to consider keeping several sets of glasses yourselves.

I will post other hints regarding other assistive devices as we progress through this Blog.

Will

Nifty nugget 04. A Cheap and effective fallout meter.

A very inexpensive fallout meter based on the Kearney Fallout Meter.
We have tested and used a Kearney Fallout Meter (from the Original Oak-ridge design by Dr. Kearney and Dr. Edward Teller)
The KFM design is very accurate and requires no batteries or any other high tec parts.
We haven't personally tested this kit. (http://www.baproducts.com/asccustompages/products.asp?ProductID=248) ( below) It is worth a try given it's price.

http://www.baproducts.com/asccustompages/products.asp?ProductID=248

The Basic design of the Kearney meter is quite functional and durable.  It is well worth the peace of mind it provides.

This kit comes pre-assembled. however, you are paying top dollar for an assembled and tested product
http://www.nitro-pak.com/kfm-radiation-meter
This is quite similar to the kit we tested.

We have no financial interest in either of these companies and receive no monies nor any other consideration on these products.

Links for these plans are available online free of charge.  We will be posting several of these links in our links shortly

WS

Nifty Nugget 03

By Far one of the Most Useful Items I have Ever Found.

Is Bubble pack with Foil covering both sides of the bubbles. It is nearly 90% heat retention.

One of the first tests of it that I saw was a tube / Sleeve of this stuff. If you could keep your arm in it for more than 20 seconds you could win a prize.

I don't believe anyone collected on that.

The name brand I know is:

Reflectix It comes in several sizes. 4' x 25' R-3.7 Double Reflective Foil Insulation is by far the most useful. I keep it in the trunk of my car If I need to Change a tire in the snow or the rain.

I have cut it to fit my windshield. I have used it as an emergency sleeping bag.

Local Cost in WV/ PA Area

$30.22 for 4' x 25'

You should check it out.

Preparedness Part 4 – Security Considerations

Preparedness Part 4 – Security Considerations

Don Hodge for 4^thTriage

In collaboration with Will Stewart

This is a controversial and very emotional area. Emotion and panic can kill you. Many people are horrified at the thought of pointing a firearm at another human being. Many feel that civilized behavior comes from gun control. Many point to the daily news and reject gun control as hazardous to one’s personal health. Unfortun-ately criminals often use our humanity against us. This is a decision you will have to make – even by refusing to discuss the issue – which may have a large impact on you and your family.

If you don’t want to have firearms in your security plans, consider a sturdy walking stick 3’ to 4’ long - which is quite useful against animals as well as people.

Another alternative to firearms is the air rifle or air pistol. These use compressed air to fire a pellet (Commonly .177 and .22 calibers. The .20 is less standard with fewer options ). They provide some protection against and can be used for hunting small game, birds, and animals up to the size of a medium dog. Most are single shot. Use models with cockling levers rather than compressed air cartridges. See considerations for firearms below.

Otherwise if firearms or air guns are not a part of your security package, then good luck and proceed to the next part.

If you choose to carry weapons or firearms, you must keep tight control on your emotions. Human life is very precious. Fear and anger are not excuses. Don’t make a bad situation worse. You will be held accountable for your actions later.

That said, it doesn’t make sense to do all that work to save your life and your family’s from a disaster, then let them be murdered.

Firearms and Security.

As you debate this issue with yourself some things to consider are:

1. Federal law prohibits state and local officials from taking your firearms during a disaster.
2. The police and authorities will be busy. Even in the best of times the police react in minutes after being notified of a problem, criminals act in seconds.
3. Criminals are called such because they choose not to obey the law. Any law. Perhaps they may act differently in a disaster. It seems unlikely.
4. Desperate, scared people will do things that would have horrified them even just a few days before.
5. To you it doesn’t matter if the six guys determined to take your vehicle (or break into your home) and take your supplies (and/or kill you) are thugs or just scared – the outcome is the same.
6. Most religions and moral codes allow for self-defense.
7. Most of us are not 6’6”, 250 lbs, and martial arts experts able to twist 20 thugs into pretzel-like shapes – without breaking a sweat.

If you choose to include firearms into your disaster supplies, please consider:

1. Firearms, like cars or any tool, are really dangerous to you if you don’t know how to properly use them.
2. Safety courses are available at low cost or free from the NRA, shooting clubs, and some gun shops.
3. Like everything else, safety and skill come from practice, practice, practice.
4. Skill with firearms does not exist automatically just because you have a firearm. It takes work and practice, practice, practice.
5. Some people – even trained military (and perhaps you) – hesitate to point a firearm at another person and pull the trigger. If the life of your family or your life is involved, hesitation could be tragic and fatal.
6. Criminals know that many people will hesitate or can’t hit a moving target.
7. Some police and trainers recommend overcoming this hesitation by loading the first two chambers of a revolver with bird shot (called shot shells – not shotgun shells). The bird shot is unlikely to seriously hurt someone. If someone keeps coming after two shots, they mean deadly harm to you. After two shots, it is easy to fire the third – and fourth, etc. Aim for the chest.
8. Different firearms - like hammers, wrenches, and other tools – are designed to do particular jobs well (and will do other jobs less well).

• Shotguns – designed primarily for hunting birds and defense inside the home – effective to 25 yards (with slugs in a slug barrel up to 100 yards and effective for hunting large animals). The smaller the gage the greater the kick/recoil. 12 and 20 gauges are most commonly available.

The .410 (The Smallest commonly available Shotgun) has the least kick (Recoil) and can be used by young children and smaller adults. Some have the added benefit of being able to use common .45 hand gun ammunition.

• Both pump and automatic loading shotguns are available.
• Semi-Automatic (one squeeze of the trigger gives one shot) handguns – used for personal defense (because it’s cramped or you must use your hands and can’t carry a rifle). May have more rounds than a revolver.
• Revolvers – since you can rotate the cylinder and select the chamber you fire, much more versatile. Usually 5 or 6 chambers which can be loaded with bird shot, special ammunition, standard, and that load to stop a bull.
• Hunting rifles – many different calibers for many different sizes of animals. Not suited for combat. Parts will break under the number of shots in a firefight – barrels will lose accuracy and even droop. Usually bolt-action as most states limit hunting with semi-automatic rifles.
• Battle (I.e. Assault) rifles - .223 (5.56 mm NATO), .308 (7.62 x 51 NATO), 7.62 x 39 Russian (SKS, AK-47) are the common calibers. The .223 is effective to 165 yards and has such low recoil that a child can use it effectively. The .308 NATO, a much heavier bullet, can punch through brush and knock a man down with one hit at 500 yards. The 7.62 x 39 Russian is accurate at short ranges and has impact (if you hit anything) at 500 yards. Magazines contain 20 or 30 rounds. Semi-Automatic.
• Note: what are commonly called Assault rifles are only Semi-Automatic look-alikes. A true Assault rifle has the option of fully automatic fire.

9. 95% of all pistol gunfights occur at 7 yards (21 feet) or less.
10. The goal is not to kill, but to stop life threatening actions.
11. Stopping power (in pistols) against humans depends largely on the diameter or caliber of the bullet. The larger the caliber the more stopping power. Hence a .45 has more stopping power than a .22, a 9 mm (.355), and a .38. That is why hollow points which spread on contact boost the stopping power of a caliber.
12. Both the .38 and the .357 are actually a diameter of .357 with the difference being that a .357 has about twice the powder in the cartridge and about twice the force. You can fire the less expensive .38 cartridges in a .357 handgun. Never, NEVER fire .357 cartridges in a .38 handgun.
13. For reliable stopping power in a pistol use a .357 and larger caliber (10 mm, 40 S&W, .41, .44, .45, etc.). .38s and lesser calibers need boosts in stopping power by using special ammunition (like Federal’s Hydra-shoks® ).
14. While the largest bear killed in North America was shot with a .22, the .22 does NOT have stopping power. There is a case of a man going berserk and murdering the 3 people with him. During the process, the victims shot him 18 times in the chest with .22 LRs. He still murdered them and then walked several miles to the hospital – where he died 3 days later.
15. In any situation you are thinking about using a firearm, ask yourself “Does this situation require or merit the use of deadly force?”
16. Rules for using firearms:

• Most firearms have safeties, so keep them set on safety. Know how to take the safety off so you can shoot.
• Never bluff with an unloaded firearm. If it is serious enough to consider using a firearm, it IS serious enough to load it.
• Never point a firearm at anything you aren’t willing to shoot.
• Never shoot at anything you aren’t willing to kill.

17. Always, always ASSUME a firearm IS LOADED.
18. If you keep firearms in the house, display signs in your house that read: “All Guns In This House Are Loaded” – whether they’re loaded or not.
19. Teach firearms safety to all family members and visiting children.

Recommendations for the general public:

• a revolver (.357 or a .38 with Hydra-shock ammo – include shot shells for poisonous snakes)
• a pump shotgun (More reliable than the semi automatic and requires less maintenance.)
• the addition of a hunting rifle of large caliber or an assault rifle could be useful in chaotic situations - possibly a Ruger Mini-14 (the popular .223 caliber, rugged, inexpensive, and a child could handle it) or an AK-47.
• When choosing a firearm The availability of ammunition should be a high priority. The most common ammunition (that is the most produced and greatest quantity such as ammunition used by military and police) is the best choice. For rifles the .223, 7.62X39, and .308 are the most produced in the world. For handguns .9mm NATO (9X19), .45, .38 and .357 Magnum.

A more in depth article on Firearms specifications and terminology will be posted shortly.