Protecting Yourself And Your Family
Introduction
In any scenario, priority one is the safety of you and your family. This fact becomes more important when we are in survival mode. How exactly do you protect yourself and your family? The best form of protection is to not be in harm's way or be perceived as a target in the first place.
The Importance of Discretion
There are currently a number of TV shows dealing with prepping where individuals detail their plans and resources. The number one issue with these shows is that they paint a target on the families profiled. In some aspects, prepping is like Fight Club; you don’t talk about it. Providing an educational service to people who are interested in prepping is great, but at the same time, you should not disclose what your plans are and where you keep your supplies. No matter how strong you think your defenses are, the fact is, you are putting yourself in the position of having to defend yourself.
Scenario Example
Here is a scenario that could happen to one of these families profiled. I recognized them as one of my neighbors. I now know they are preppers and have supplies in the home. I also know they have a bug-out location based on what they disclosed during the show. Assuming I am not a prepper, I know I can target this family to get their supplies. Even being a prepper, I can still target them to aid in my survival. I can also force them to take me to their bug-out location and either get those supplies or take over that location. They may be able to defend themselves against me, but for how long? And I may not be the only one targeting them. That being said, do not make yourself a target by going on TV and giving a tour of your supplies.
Self-Defense Essentials
Although not making yourself a target is the best line of defense, you cannot make that your only form of defense. Firearms, edged weapons, and blunt weapons are a necessity to aid in your self-defense. Along with these types of weapons, training and practice are equally important. Wielding a weapon without knowledge and practice could render that weapon ineffective.
Firearms Training
Many people buy firearms but don’t get the proper training required to effectively use those weapons. There is more to shooting than pointing and pulling the trigger (this includes shotguns with shot shells). Trigger control, recoil management, sight alignment, target acquisition, breathing, and more are things to keep in mind in becoming a good shooter. Without training and practice, you will have a difficult time hitting your target, especially under stress.
Melee Weapons Training
The same goes for melee weapons. The added danger with the misuse of melee weapons is the close proximity to the assailant. The possibility of being overpowered and having your weapon taken and used against you is much greater. This is why training and practice are important. Knowing when to swing a bat, for example, versus using it to jab could make the difference in a life and death situation.
Firearm Ownership
If you don’t own any firearms or have access to at least one, you should obtain one as soon as possible. If your state requires you to have a permit to own or purchase firearms, start the process immediately. Some places make it difficult or expensive to get a permit. For example, New York City requires a permit to own firearms and the associated fees are hundreds of dollars. Also, firearms must be registered. Conversely, a number of states don’t require a permit to own or purchase a firearm at all, just a valid state ID.
Criminal History Considerations
If you have a criminal history, it may be illegal for you to own a firearm. While I do not endorse allowing everyone with a questionable background to own a firearm, the way you choose to protect yourself and family in a survival situation is ultimately up to you. Some may choose to illegally obtain firearms so they are not at a disadvantage, but being caught with it may be more problematic than it is worth.
Weapon Recommendations
What kinds of weapons should you have? First, you should have a knife. I prefer a folding knife, as it can be placed in the pocket and goes undetected. A spring-assisted folding knife has an advantage as it can be deployed more quickly. Another weapon you should have is a blunt object. A wooden baseball bat can fit this area. It is something you can keep in plain sight and not have to worry about it being the focus of attention.
Firearm Recommendations
This leaves us with firearms. Just about everyone who sets out to buy their first firearm always asks, “What gun should I buy?” This is a very difficult question to answer. For the purpose of this article, my answer would be a 12 gauge pump action shotgun loaded with birdshot. For home protection, the shotgun is king. With multiple projectiles, you stand a greater chance of hitting your target even when under stress.
Home Defense Strategy
Some people may be content with one firearm and stop here, but only having one firearm does not offer the best protection. You should have a firearm in every room or at least one between you and every potential entry point. These weapons should remain out of sight but easily accessible. Bookcases are a great hiding place for weapons. Tall bookcases allow you to keep a weapon out of sight and reach until needed. If you have children, you have to take them into consideration when creating your plan. You do not want your children finding your weapons and injuring themselves.
Final Considerations
You may want to keep a gun in the kitchen and bathroom as well. While you may have a number of knives in the kitchen, in a gunfight, you need a gun. There are a number of places you can keep a firearm in the kitchen. You can place a handgun on the ceiling of a drawer, that keeps it out of sight but easily accessible. In the bathroom, you may store your firearm under the toilet tank cover.
Conclusion
You know your home best. If an intruder enters, you should be equipped to handle the situation. Create a plan, and go through a dry run. Refine your plan and always keep in mind that no amount of practice will have you 100% ready to face an intruder. With enough practice, you should feel confident that you can defend yourself.
For more information and products related to home defense and self-protection, visit BlackStarSurvival.com. Stay safe, stay prepared, and protect your loved ones.
Tagged Products
