Fear we are returning to a time in history where it is a common occurrence to fight for one's life?

"There are going to be situations where people are going to go without assistance.  That's just the facts of life."  - Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates

So, you are a successful trader, speculator, investor, money manager, and is typical, have little patience.  Something has been bothering you.  You have been reading Zero Hedge long enough that you are now absolutely convinced that TEOTWAWKI is indeed nigh, and it could well be quite violent.  You have also decided that you want to do something to prepare, beyond getting short the equity markets and going long gold and silver coins, but you do not know what to do, exactly.  The HELP function on your Bloomberg terminal is, unsurprisingly, not helpful.  A quick review of the government and Red Cross emergency preparedness websites tells you nothing about guns.  This is problematic, as you fear that we all might be returning to a time in history where it is a common occurrence to fight for one's life, and you know that we usually do that in today's day and age with guns, or a knife close in. 

What to do?

Well, you could read several books such as The Long Emergency, Reinventing Collapse, One Second After, Alas Babylon, Patriots, and Lucifer's Hammer to gain an understanding of what some recent authors believe TEOTWAWKI might look like, and then try to formulate a plan on your own.  You could also read countless blog posts on www.ar15.com/forums/b/10_Outdoors.html, www.survivalblog.com, or www.zombiehunters.org to see what other people with alleged or unknown expertise are doing to prepare for if/when TSHTF.  I understand there is now a television show called Doomsday Preppers that you could watch.  Not surprisingly, you can even hire professional consultants to help you prepare for the possibility of a coming apocalypse.

Alternatively, allow me to provide to you absolutely free of charge and in just one brief Zero Hedge article, A Guide for Those with Much Money and Very Little Patience Whom Want to Prepare for Zombie Apocalypse But Are Afraid to Google It For Fear of DHS Labeling Them A Terrorist.  There are some unique aspects to this Guide.  First, because it is for Those with Much Money, it assumes you can afford to drop as much as $25,000 and thus save much time by not trying to do things on the cheap.  Second, because it is for Those with...Very Little Patience, it makes no attempt to explain the rationale behind each recommendation.  One can complete the entire Guide within a couple of months, thus allowing you to put this fear out of your mind and move on to much more productive worries, except for fitness.  Regular exercise should really become a habit for the duration of your life. 

Item 1

Learn that the first rule of preparing for TEOTWAWKI is you do not talk about preparing for TEOTWAWKI.  Tell nobody.  Do, however, make up some lame excuses in advance for when some friend questions you about your actions and purchases.  Say that you are getting ready to visit your rich and crazy uncle whom is a gun nut living in Alaskan bear country, or your friend in Detroit wants you to house sit.  Just do not tell anyone what your plans or preparations are, or even that you have plans or preparations.

Item 2

Develop a basic mindset.  Here are some ideas.  Commit to prepare for zombies, so that currency collapse, EMP, hurricanes, revolution, world war, or anything else will seem relatively mild.  Understand that the time to make a plan and prepare is before, not after a zombie invasion.  Understand that there is no way you can plan or prepare for every contingency, but doing something today goes a long way to peace of mind, and eliminating any regrets should the shit actually hit the fan.  Realize that everything is likely to cost more next year, if you can get it, so better to buy it now.  Acknowledge that nobody really knows if, what, when, or how anything in the future is going to happen...it is all just speculation.  Finally, always remember that, "on a long enough timeline the survival rate for everyone drops to zero," so don't get too worked up, or go into debt, just because of this little exercise in paranoia.

Item 3

Stick to the plan.  Because you have very little patience, this Guide is not going to be concerned about detailed questions or nuances such as, 1) if you intend to leave or stay at home in case of TEOTWAWKI (also known as Bug In or Bug Out); 2) if you work far from or close to home; 3) if you live or work in an urban or rural area; 4) if you are a 30 years-old ex-marine, or a 55 years-old female florist; or 5) if you expect the zombie infestation to last 48 hours, 5 days, 12 months, or permanently. 

This is a One-Guide-Fits-All (as long as you have the money) and accordingly all the actions and items have been designed and actually tested in real life (by those trained and certified in such things) to work with all the other items and actions in the Guide.  Customize it at your own peril.

Item 4

Get yourself in shape so you can run for your life.  Go running, no matter how slowly, five times per week.  Work yourself up to 30-minutes during the week, and then a longer run on the weekends.  After each run, do three sets of as many push-ups as you can do.  When you go see your doctor to ask for permission to get healthy, ask her to find some way to get you off any drugs you currently require to survive, and to please write you a post-apocalyptic "ditch medicine" prescription for a broad spectrum open wound MRSA antibiotic like Bactrim DS (or something else if you have a sulfa allergy).

Item 5

Purchase the items on the following shopping list to outfit your person with a Get Back Home (GBH) pack (aka Evacuation Pack, aka Bug Out Bag, aka Assault Pack, aka 3 Day Pack, aka Survival Pack).  It includes a First Aid Kit (aka FAK) and a set of clothing so you will not be forced to evacuate the city in your loafers, heels, wool suit, or dress (Read One Second After).  This pack can reside in the trunk of your car if you are a commuter or in the hall closet if you live and work in a city. 

Included on the list is an advanced, easy to use, compact, and highly reliable personal-defense weapon system that is made by FN Herstal, currently the largest arms manufacturer for the U.S. military.  The FN FiveseveN pistol (get the model with tritium night sights installed) and PS90 rifle (Tri-Rail model) each fire the same 5.7 x 28 ammunition, which, along with these two weapons, is extremely light to carry.  These weapons' standard magazines hold 20 and 50 rounds, respectively.  Unlike many old-school firearms, these are actually fun to learn to operate, because they are so light, yet still have no felt recoil (aka kick).  A Zeiss Z-Point optic (rifle sight), Urban ERT sling, TLR-1 weapon light, kydex pistol holster, magazine carriers, and spare magazines are all crucial components that cannot be excluded. 

With the push of a single button the PS90 easily disassembles into two parts that fit in the bag; because there is no gas system it is also very easy to clean.  The two extra rifle magazine pouches, concealed under a shirt and bandana, are accessible while wearing the pack.  The lower exterior pocket contains the FAK.  The rain cover keeps things dry and looking less military.

Not if, but when someone advises you to buy an AR style rifle and a Glock pistol, first ask yourself why you have broken the first rule for preparing for TEOTWAWKI, then put an extra 5-7 pounds of lead in your pack to represent the weight difference (including ammo) and go for a 15-mile hike while you try to remember Item 3 from above. 

If you live in California where you are restricted to 10 round magazines, then maybe you should move.  If you live in Illinois, NYC, or DC, then you should definitely move.  If you live on Airstrip One (formerly Britain) where essentially only shotguns may be owned then adjust accordingly.  If you live in Switzerland you probably already know how to shoot and have excellent equipment.  Everyone should know and abide by their local gun laws, no matter how Draconian, illogical, and unconstitutional they may be.  These laws are for your protection/sarc. 

Total cost for this life insurance policy is less than $10,000, much of it in "uncivilized" traveling money.

location, item, qty, description, cost    

c=Carry / i= In Pack / o=On Pack       

• o,Belt,1,Webbing riggers belt,$8.00
• o,Pants,1,NorthFace Horizon Falls Convertible Nylon Pants (summer),$50.00
• o,Shirt,1,Vented Nylon Long Sleeve Shirt (summer),$25.00
• o,Shoes,1,Merrell Moab Ventilator low-top (summer),$85.00
• o,Socks,1,Wrightsock CoolMesh II,$11.00
• o,Undershirt,1,UnderArmor (Summer) / Patagonia (Winter),$20.00
• o,Underwear,1,UnderArmor (Summer) / Patagonia (Winter),$20.00
• ,Backpack,1,Maxpedition Falcon II w/ 3 liter H2O bladder,$130.00
• o,Pack Leash,1,Pre-tied 20' 550 para cord leashed to top of pack w/ biner,$10.00
• i,Dry Bags,2,Sea to Summit lightweight dry sack (2 liter),$24.00
• o,Bag cover,1,Mountain Hardware Backpack Cover,$35.00
• o,Jacket,1,Waterproof jacket w/ hood (tan or sage),$100.00
• i,Underwear,1,Spare UnderArmor - Black (in dry bag),$20.00
• i,Socks,3,Spare socks - Wrightsock CoolMesh II (in dry bag),$33.00
• o,Poncho,1,Sea To Summit Ultra-Sil Tarp-Poncho (Gray),$85.00
• o,Hat,1,Tilley and/or wool beenie (seasonal),$25.00
• o,Bandana,1,Khaki ,$5.00
• o,Gloves,1,Work gloves w/ leather palm,$15.00
• i,Water Filter,1,Katadyn Pocket water filter,$300.00
• i,Water Purification Tablets,1,Katadyn Micropur tablets,$13.95
• i,Energy bars,12,Power Bars -Energy,$4.00
• i,Food,2,Datrex 3600 Calorie Emergency Food Pouch,$14.00
• i,Dried fruit,8,Dehydrated Figs,$8.00
• i,Electrolytes,6,PowerBar Gel ,$6.00
• i,Lighter/Matches,2,Bic/water proof matches,$2.00
• i,Toilet Paper,1,Backpaking style-no tube,$2.00
• c,Knife,1,Benchmade 760 LFTi,$200.00
• i,Multi Tool,1,Leatherman Skeletool,$40.00
• o,Flashlight,1,Streamlight MicroStream w/ extra AA battery,$15.00
• i,Gorilla Tape,1,Small 1-inch roll wrapped in wax paper,$3.95
• o,Zip Ties,6,"14"" black heavy duty zip ties",$2.34
• o,Tubing,1,6' surgical tubing (emergency tourniquet/syphon),$6.00
• i,Mirror,1,Metal unbreakable survival mirror,$7.00
• i,Sewing kit,1,"Heavy nylon thread, needles, seem tape, buttons",$4.00
• i,Wet stone,1,Smith's Pocket Pal,$9.00
• i,Hack Saw,1,"Mini Hack Saw w/ 6"" blades (master key for bike lock)",$9.50
• i,Patch kit,1,Tube patch kit w/ CO2 airfill,$3.00
• i,Towel,1,Lightload backpacking towel,$2.00
• c,Watch,1,Casio Pathfinder solar,$150.00
• i,Maps,1,Laminated state map(s),$2.00
• i,Compass,1,Suunto MC-2 Global,$56.35
• i,Paper,1,Rite-In-The-Rain all weather notebook-small,$5.00
• o,Marking pen,1,Sharpie,$0.50
• c/i,Sidearm,1,"FN FiveseveN pistol w/ tritium sights, 4 mags (keep 2 in pack)","$1,000.00 "
• c ,Holster,1,Kydex FBI cant on paddle,$65.00
• c,Mag carrier-pistol,2,Kydex on paddles ,$30.00
• o,Mag carrier-rifle,2,Tactical Tailor molle to attach on pack,$25.00
• i,Rifle,1,"PS90 w/ Zeiss Z-Point, Urban ERT sling, TLR-1 light, 4 mags","$2,000.00 "
• i/o,Ammo,250,FN 5.7 x 28 (100 in PS 90Mags + 3 x 50 boxes),$112.50
• i,Cleaning kit,1,"Rod, ends, brush, patches, lubricant, 3mm hex wrench",$15.00
• i,Earplugs,3,Small foam w/ string,$1.50
• i,Monocular,1,Zeiss MiniQuick 5x10 T,$139.00
• i,Extra Rx Glasses,1,RX sunglasses w/ keeper,$50.00
• i,N95 masks,2,Floor mask w/ eye shield,$0.50
• i,Nitrile gloves,2,Latex examination gloves (pr),$0.20
• i,Sunscreen/Chafe Balm,1,Dermatone,$3.00
• i,Trauma Pack,1,BoTach Tactical Tac-Pack Battle Pack Option #2,$120.00
• i,Celox,1,CELOX-A Hemostat syringe,$23.00
• i,Sutures,2,4-0 Monofilament w/ curved needle,$30.00
• i,Betadine scrub,1,B-D Easy Scrub Brush,$1.00
• i,Betadine swabs,4,Foil packed single betadine swabs,$2.00
• i,Gauze roll,2,Israeli battle dressing,$4.00
• i,4x4s,8,Sterile 4x4 gauze pads,$0.40
• i,Coban,2,"2"" roll (tan)",$7.00
• i,Rx ABX,60,Bactrim DS (CDC open trauma dosage is 1 po 3x day x 10 days),$60.00
• i,Rx ABX ointment,1,Bactroban (Mupirocin) ointment,$18.00
• i,Fever/Pain medicine,6,Excedrin travel packets-Extra Strength,$4.02
• i,Mole Skin,1,2 inch roll,$5.00
• i,Alcohol prep,10,Alcohol prep pads,$1.00
• i,Benzoin,10,Tincture of Benzoin ampulet,$5.00
• i,Passport / DL / CHL,1,Copies of ID, $                -  
• i,Important numbers,1,Laminated list of emergency contacts, $                -  
• i,Cash,5,USD/CAD/MXN,"$1,250.00 "
• i,Coins,20,0.1 ounce barbaric relics,"$3,400.00 "

In general, when given a choice, always choose the lighter weight and/or more expensive option.  Lighter weight is fast.  Lighter weight uses much less energy.

Item 6

Purchase the items on the following shopping list to outfit your home.

·         5,000 rounds ammo for training; $2,500.

·         Purchase and install Door Jamb Armor and dead bolts on all your exterior doors; $1,000 for 4 doors.

·         A bullet proof vest; $500.

·         Install a professional alarm system, or better if you live in the country get a big dog and have you both protection trained; $50/month.

·         12 months of food storage (2,400 cal/day) with > 20 year shelf life ;$4,500.

·         If you have well water get a SimplePump.  If you rely on city/municipal water, and there is not a swimming pool in your backyard, then get at least one waterbed; $1,000.

·         A hand-crank emergency radio and a couple of hand-crank flashlights; $50.

·         Purchase and store several cases of liquor; $500.

·         If it gets cold where you live, then purchase

o   A mummy style sleeping bag like a Wiggies; $250.

o   At least one set of heavy wool pants and wool parka, such as Columbia's Gallatin Range ; $350.

o   A pair of warm boots, wool socks, warm gloves, and a wool hat; $350.

o   Two sets of Patagonia long underwear; $120.

Item 7

Complete the following courses in this order:

1.       One half-day tactical folding knife class; $150.

2.       2-3 weekends of Tactical Pistol Courses; $1,000.

3.       2-3 weekends of Tactical Rifle Courses; $1,000.

4.       One day of Self and Family Emergency Medical Aid/Trauma Kit Course; $150.

5.       A series of several two-hour self-defense classes (not martial arts classes); $200.

6.       Fulfillment of requirements for concealed handgun permit; $250.

You should learn in these classes how to safely conduct dry-fire training with your firearms and a dummy knife.  Do this on a regular basis, such as once per week for at least 5 minutes.

Item 8

Gain, store, and maintain the knowledge, skills, and special equipment that would enable you to do at least one third-world job.  If you are a dentist, doctor, farmer, cowboy, mechanic, miner, fisherman, lumberman, mason, blacksmith, whore house piano player, plumber, butcher, or similar, then you are already set.  If you are a derivatives trader, banker, realtor, healthcare administrator, politician, actuarial, benefits coordinator, DMV clerk, compliance officer, or similar, then get cracking.

In Conclusion

Truly, it does not matter how good my reasons are for each suggestion, or how qualified I am to make these recommendations, because I can absolutely guarantee an endless number of critics on the internet, at REI, or at your local gun store advising you of just the opposite of what I have said, on each and every point, and claiming far greater expertise on these matters.  It is even likely some will respond critically to this post here on ZH in the comments below.  However, I believe that an average plan that is well implemented is usually better than a great plan that is never implemented. 

Now, it is on you.  Follow this Guide and if the shit hits the fan then you are likely to be far better off than most people will.  The best part, however, is the hedge on this zero hedge investment.  Even if TEOTWAWKI does not occur, but your course instructors have at least average ability, then after completing this Guide you will no longer be a sheep, but rather a sheep dog.

Si vis pacem, para bellum.  Everyone else is.

Comments

[Frankie Carbone]

What a load of nonsense. 

First, this "training" better be something that you do continuously and on a routine basis, because when a life or death situation occurs your cortex literally shuts down and your midbrain kicks in.  

That means fight or flight, it means that the brain reverts to simple survival patterns, or internal macros so to speak, so you're not going to be able to exercise any complex moves or any complicated thinking in the moment that matters. 

So you have to train on this stuff 24/7 to burn those techniques and maneuvers into the reptilian brain or they simply won't be there when you shit your pants. 

I happen to constantly train with a few simple moves with a HANDGUN. Nothing complicated, just a few limited, minimal steps, uncomplicated maneuvers. 

What I am doing is burning "macros" or muscle memory, into my primitive brain so that when the higher order aspect of my brain, the cerebral cortex, shuts down in a life or death situation, my reptilian, or primitive brain kicks in and reacts with one of the few, simple but effective macros or algorithms that I have trained into it for years. 

So when a disciple of "Mr Ruskie, I can make a lethal weapon out of a handful of cotton swabs", attempts to recall anything in his complex mindset, and can't, but just stands there deer in the headlights, I simply pull the little 380 acp out of my pocket and simply put a round in the part of his brain that's stopped working anyways. 

Uhh, don't forget. In a TEOTWAWKI world, some of the biggest badasses on the prowl will likely be ex military or ex cops. I don't think they'll be particularly intimidated by being attacked with a featherduster. 

Only an idiot brings a book, a pencil, a baseball cap, or a box of charmin to a gunfight. 

[RallyRoundTheFamily]

Both of you make good points

[Red Heeler]

"Keys, Cap, Belt, Jacket, Umbrella, Pencil and Book are such commonplace objects, yet they can be used to obliterate vicious knife attacks, holds, punches and gun threats."

Back off, Jack, I'm wearing a CAP! 

[Agent P]

Unless it's a Cubs Cap...then it's pretty much useless.

[Gully Foyle]

Red Heeler

Watch the example videos at the bottom.

Then again you could buy

http://www.amazon.com/Night-Watchman-Sap-Extreme-Baseball/dp/B002YYZV5O/...

Night Watchman Sap Cap Extreme Baseball Cap

This standard baseball cap is one the most simple, least noticeable, and efficient personal defense items on the market. The secret of this hat is a pocket of unique impact material that is 100% the density of lead and which is sewn into the cap. Simply use the bill as the handle and the cap becomes an instant impact weapon to be used against a threat. Simple, fast, and effective! The cap includes Velcro adjustment to fit all sizes.

Or maybe these gloves

http://www.amazon.com/Hatch-SP100-Defender-Glove-Large/dp/B0019F8HFK/ref...

Hatch SP100 Defender II Glove with Steel Shot (Black)

There is an old trick where you carry a newspaper or magizine. You roll it up tightly then use it like a club. It lasts more than long enough to inflict striking and thrusting damage. Kill someone if you hit them properly.

Deadly starts in the mind.

[Sophist Economicus]

Two years ago I was visiting friends that were living in rundown part of an 'up and coming' neighborhood.    We were sitting in the living room when a couple of folks kicked open the kitchen door in the back of the apartment, armed, and were making their way to the living room.   We all pulled out our hand guns and the guy who owned the apartment took the first shot across the two door ways that separated our room from them.   Hit the one guy in the upper body.   They fled, the one guy dripping blood.

We called the cops, they never found the idiots.    I was glad to have my sub-compact PX4 that night.   I don't think the cap would have helped, although I know what you're saying about this in general....

Every situation is different, guns have a role

[Stoploss]

Excellent piece hh, well done.

[RallyRoundTheFamily]

Agreed  +1

It is even likely some will respond critically to this post here on ZH in the comments below.

Made me laugh

[SubjectivObject]

Prepping: It's not a life, it's a career.

[Mr Lennon Hendrix]

Bug Out Bags, bitchez.

[Rahm]

Barter, bitchez

[tgatliff]

I have a better idea... Just start a business selling protection from the zombies for the average person.

The important part, in my mind, is not to prepare for the end of the world.  That is not going to happen.  The open question is how can you make money from the shift in economy?    Some people made a huge amount of money during the great depression, and you can bet this will occur again.  

Instead of feeding some bizarre desire, instead accept that economies change and look for ways to capitalize when those changes occur... 

[lemonobrien]

this is how Levi Strauss got rich.

[simpleminds]

There are already plenty of on-line stores catering to these screwballs.

[LoneStarHog]

Uh!...For starters...people were CIVILIZED during The Great Depression...the currency DID NOT collapse...the majority of society WAS NOT dependent upon the goobermint for existence...a great number of society was agrarian, not urban, and knew how to independently exist.

Just for starters...

[Uber Vandal]

Not sure how the various kidnappings (Lindbergh Baby for example) were all that civilized.

Also, the end result of the Bonus Army was not very civilized either.

[NotApplicable]

Handful of criminals in both cases. Hardly an overall protrait of society.

[JeffB]

But the point is that the economic problems flowed through to cause at least some breakdown in at least some parts of society.

Historians claim that the hopelessness of the Depression were very formative in the lives of Bonnie and Clyde. Supposedly there was also a fairly significant undercurrent of people rooting for them as they went on their murderous crime spree, as some people at least were taking some vicarious satisfaction in the murder of policemen and bank tellers. Many people felt outrage and a wish to lash out at society for the sudden tragic turn of events in their lives. That the majority were able to control their anger far better than the few who "lost it", could still give us pause as we consider whether there a likely to be similar sentiments throughout society if our economy should suddenly take a turn for the much worse, and whether our current society will be as stoic in sucking it up and moving forward, however painful that might be, as those in the Great Depression era were able to do.

There has to be at least some possibility that our "Me First" generation may be somewhat less virtuous and willing to endure severe hardship without lashing out.

We're already starting out with a far more violent and less moral society by most accounts, with far far more people living off government largesse*, and far more living on the government payroll** than our forebears were. We also have millions of people in prison, the highest per capita percentage of any country in the world, and some cities and states are apparently already having to release prisoners early as budget cutting measures. If TSHTF those releases would probably have to escalate dramatically. Or perhaps move to less expensive measures of detainment, that some fear will be far too similar to concentration camps.

I guess we'll see. We live in interesting times that threaten to become rather uncomfortably interesting.

[LoneStarHog]

The vast majority in American prisons are incarcerated for nonviolent crimes and have no history of violence.  An argument could be made that releasing the majority to make room for those who would perpetrate violence could be made.

[JeffB]

True dat, LoneStarHog, but unless they rewrite some of those "Three Strikes and You're Out" type laws the courts and various jurisdictions can have their hands tied in many cases.

In any event, the news is replete with stories of very violent and dangerous criminals, often repeat offenders, who have been let loose early only to commit even more heinous crimes. Having bankrupt cities and states would exacerbate that type of problem I would think.

[knightowl77]

and there is shitload of more uneducated, clueless, selfish people who think they have a right to what you have and see no problem in taking it from those they can.....

If you think that manners, education or morality have improved since the Great Depression then I have pretty colored stones to sell you that are very very valuable...Just take my word for it.

[JeffB]

I think that's when Bonnie and Clyde hit their stride, as well.

But I do think he's correct, that our society was more civilized then than it is now. It was certainly more religious. Not to start another argument on that topic, of course...

and I think far more people were self reliant, or at least more self reliant then, more agrarian, and in less debt. The government itself was in far better shape. They had a surplus at the time, rather than an unmanageable debt. We also had a trade surplus and American goods were considered of the best quality in the world.

Most people could probably much better handle not having a car than today's families ever could, and many didn't even have electricity or indoor plumbing, at least in some areas. Many people now would freak out if they couldn't have a microwave, or air conditioning, much less a refrigerator and a grocery store stocked full of cheap food from around the world, and policemen to hold the armed gangs at bay, at least in the better neighborhoods.

[Popo]

Oh Jesus.   I can't wait for legions of suburban dorks to be roaming the streets,  snacking on beef-jerky and waving assault rifles in the air the next time the market crashes.   

I'm not worried about the "end of the world" ... but I am scared of some asshole with a semi-automatic who *thinks* it's the end of the world.  

God fucking help us.

[StychoKiller]

Hence the need for the bullet-resistant clothing!

[DosZap]

PoPo,

and waving assault rifles in the air

Do you even,never mind...........................85%+ of Americans have NO clue what an assault rifle even is.

[Popo]

An AK?

...M16?

..M4??  

...Tavor???

I'm pretty sure if you surveyed most Americans they'd know what an M16 or a Kalashnikov was, btw.

[DosZap]

PoPo,

Again, unless your VERY wealthy, you cannot own, an M16,or an AK47, not even parts for them.

These are capable of FULLY automatic fire & select fire,they are ASSAULT weapons.

An AR 15, or a clone of an AK 47, are not ASSAULT weapons, their simply semi automatic rifles,that look like them.

You can buy these (depending on where you live), from most any gun shop.

As for this,

I'm pretty sure if you surveyed most Americans they'd know what an M16 or a Kalashnikov was, btw.

NO they would not, they are clueless and only think &  repeat what they see on MSM media.

WHO are also CLUELESS.

The Dems have seen to it.

[SilverRhino]

Slide fire stocks work JUST fine for duplicating those effects.   $400 and call it done.

As far as the firearms listed above the author is full of shit completely unrealistic.  One article isnt going to adequately prepare someone for TSHTF.  

[Chuck Walla]

Check out "bump fire" stocks for your AR. 900 rds a minute, street legal per ATF.

[HungrySeagull]

I am already lost. Most of the lists here have been taken care of.

The Churches are one of the very few institutions still holding Society together where we are.

If we have to fight, so be it. I rather not.

[lolmao500]

Please. The Churches work for the government. Clergy response teams :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRIDNQNsUss

[JeffB]

You're painting with far too broad a brush, lolmao500.

The Nazis had some clergy on their side, but there were plenty that risked their lives to stand up against them and many paid with their lives.

"Some" does not equal "every".

[JeffB]

I was about to congratulate you, Popo, on taking the author's rule #1 to another level:

1. "do not talk about preparing for TEOTWAWKI."

How much better to "make fun of those preparing for TEOTWAWKI", particularly for someone foolish enough to post on such a topic... on ZeroHedge no less. That has to attract the attention of the DHS a lot more than wearing some shirt with a dangerous slogan. But they're probably on to you anyway. It's a little too obvious, don't you think? Even they're not that dumb.

[Hulk]

We're coming for you Popo, we're coming for you !

The lunatic is on the grass
The lunatic is on the grass
Remembering games and daisy chains and laughs
Got to keep the loonies on the path
The lunatic is in the hall
The lunatics are in my hall
The paper holds their folded faces to the floor
And every day the paper boy brings more
And if the dam breaks open many years too soon
And if there is no room upon the hill
And if your head explodes with dark forbodings too
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon
The lunatic is in my head
The lunatic is in my head
You raise the blade, you make the change
You re-arrange me 'till I'm sane
You lock the door
And throw away the key
There's someone in my head but it's not me.
And if the cloud bursts, thunder in your ear
You shout and no one seems to hear
And if the band you're in starts playing different tunes
I'll see you on the dark side of the moon

[Popo]

Heh.. well it sounds like you're coming for me packing a loaded bong.   My door's open!

[RoadKill]

+2mm

[hannah]

more like +9mm or 7.62

[LowProfile]

I'm not worried about the "end of the world" ... but I am scared of some asshole with a semi-automatic who *thinks* it's the end of the world. 

Free your mind, Quaid...  Free your minnnnd.

[Oracle of Kypseli]

If you have the money, go to the Andes instead. You would realize that no matter what happens let's just say in NYC, LA, Chicago, Paris or London, you will not even going to know it or care.

Last time I was there the natives were smiling more than anyone in any civilized!!!! city, took time while they were having their breakfast, lunch or dinner, they walked everywhere or on a horse back. (no need to change the oil.)

Don't bother taking your wife or husband with you if your reationship is less than solid.

As fresh air as you can get, plenty of sunlight, rivers, jungle, desert, game, and if you miss the old ways, sattelite TV can be set-up with free (bootlegged) conversion boxes.

And, if you are into religion, you will be closer to god.

If you miss your I-pad, diesel gen-sets are also available.

[Nage42]

In principle, yes.

However, what happens when the government drops the gas subsidy?!?

In Peru/Bolivia From Cusco down to Chilean boarder what you say is true, but a huge percentage of the people eek out their bare-survival living by driving around in packed-minibuses (collectivo), I shudder to think if the price of gas equalized to what it should be (less than $1/gallon there still).

Also, in the Andes, you have some of the most fertile agricultural land in the world (stupidly high nitrates, and omg the corn is good!).  If you could invest in some infra around rain collection and sand/charcol filtration, you might just have something sustainable... but hard to predict the wild gyrations of the governments with socialist-tendancies to just come in and "liberate" (nationalize) everything at the drop of a hat.  You'd want to be sure to have one of the Junta hefe bossman dudes in your pocket to keep off the radar if you'd invested in infra.

[Dr Benway]

The zombie/EMP/nuclear apocalypse is the ultimate revenge fantasy for the preppers, an opportunity to turn the tables and get back at those who laughed at them.

But if a catastrophe really should strike the world, the US is the last place I'd like to be. The preppers assumptions of violence in such a scenario are self-fulfilling.

[12ToothAssassin]

I keep trying to buy 5.7mm ammo and it always says "Item backorderable" - Guess its extremely lite when I dont have it! http://www.cabelas.com/handgun-ammunition-fnh-5-7x28-bulk-ammunition-1.shtml