Are there any preppers here on the mag?

[Green Squall]

I don't think there's any way to prepare if the grid really goes down. Maybe for two weeks, a month, what's the point?

The point would be to keep living, keep breathing. Step by step! God forbid the worst happened, even though it probably wont, I just couldn't turn over and give up. I guess I've always had that survival mentality in me. Like the quote says, "There is always light at the end of the tunnel".

Most people, including me don't have the money to completely prepare for all of the possible scenarios, but it is easy and much cheaper than you think to stock up on at least food and water. Just buy a little at a time. Every week or every month, whatever you can afford. Cheap dry goods will last 20+ years if stored in mylar w/ O2 absorbers and canned food also lasts a very long time.

If the grid really did go down, life would be forever changed but it wouldn't end. Also, in a post apocalyptic world, we will need pot growers. That's where all you guys come in. I think it would make things much more tolerable

 

[corky1968]

I bought poppy seeds. Should I need some painkillers and all hell breaks loose.

I'll be smoking opium. Just need to get the pipe and figure how to use it now.

 

[Gypsy Nirvana]

.....and we will need seeds, if there is still fertile ground to plant them in, and clean water for them to grow well.

One good thing about it, we won't be having the old bill (coppers) bothering us for growing it.

 

[corky1968]

I have mushroom spore prints as well.

I got to get back into growing king oyster, shiitake and other mushrooms.

Those things live off of wood,sawdust,straw,etc. with no fancy soil needed.

They are quite nutritious as well.

 

[coldcanna]

.....and we will need seeds, if there is still fertile ground to plant them in, and clean water for them to grow well.

One good thing about it, we won't be having the old bill (coppers) bothering us for growing it.

Seeds are a great idea. In theory one would only need to store enough prepared food for a year or so if they had a viable garden.

For all you guys across the pond, what are gun laws like over there? I get the impression that they are much more strict....

 

[cokebottle]

Seeds are a great idea. In theory one would only need to store enough prepared food for a year or so if they had a viable garden.

For all you guys across the pond, what are gun laws like over there? I get the impression that they are much more strict....

Well, we can have guns. If we are licensed hunters and the weapon is for hunting. You file for a license for a specific weapon, a background-check is made and some months later you get the "ok".

But i think no one is allowed to have machine-guns or stuff thats not for hunting.

So, when the shit hits the fan over here, you better be a hunter.

 

[coldcanna]

Well, we can have guns. If we are licensed hunters and the weapon is for hunting. You file for a license for a specific weapon, a background-check is made and some months later you get the "ok".

But i think no one is allowed to have machine-guns or stuff thats not for hunting.

So, when the shit hits the fan over here, you better be a hunter.

Wow several months! Holy shit....

Here it varies state by state quite a bit, there are places where you can have any weapon you want and carry it pretty much anywhere, then there are the repressive states like California or Connecticut that put severe, European-style bans on many types of firearms. I choose to stay away from those places.

Something that no one has mentioned yet is alcohol. I would have to think that if times get really unbearable people will trade anything for the chance to get a nice buzz, be it weed or booze. I've made beer and wine before but those aren't as suitable for long term storage as liquor and also the ingredients to make them aren't something you'd typically find after SHTF. Making moonshine however could be the ticket, having a still tucked away and able to crank out 100's of gallons at a wack would give great leverage in bartering situations....

 

[Green Squall]

I bought poppy seeds. Should I need some painkillers and all hell breaks loose.

I'll be smoking opium. Just need to get the pipe and figure how to use it now.

I have papaver somniferum seeds as well lol.

If you want to learn all there is to know about opium I suggest Opium: A History by Martin Booth and Opium Fiend: A 21st Century Slave to a 19th Century Addiction by Steven Martin.

 

[brown_thumb]

Well, we can have guns. If we are licensed hunters and the weapon is for hunting. You file for a license for a specific weapon, a background-check is made and some months later you get the "ok".

But i think no one is allowed to have machine-guns or stuff thats not for hunting.

So, when the shit hits the fan over here, you better be a hunter.

In most US states/cities we can walk into a store that sells guns and buy a handgun, shotgun or rifle within minutes. All that's required is a NICS background check. If we order online, the firearm must be shipped to one's local FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee) so they can run the NICS check when the firearm(s) is/are picked up from them. We cannot buy suppressors or fully automatic firearms or short-barrel rifles without applying for and paying $200US for tax stamps. So... a short-barrel full-auto rifle with a suppressor requires THREE $200US tax stamps. But those of us who can afford the steep taxes, can own such a firearm.

 

[coldcanna]

In most US states/cities we can walk into a store that sells guns and buy a handgun, shotgun or rifle within minutes. All that's required is a NICS background check. If we order online, the firearm must be shipped to one's local FFL (Federal Firearms Licensee) so they can run the NICS check when the firearm(s) is/are picked up from them. We cannot buy suppressors or fully automatic firearms or short-barrel rifles without applying for and paying $200US for tax stamps. So... a short-barrel full-auto rifle with a suppressor requires THREE $200US tax stamps. But those of us who can afford the steep taxes, can own such a firearm.

Theres a bit more to it than buying stamps. Common folk can't buy any automatic weapon made after 1986, and the ones manufactured before this must have been appropriately registered decades ago. The ending result is that there are less than 200,000 transferable automatic weapons in circulation in America, so as one could expect the prices are outrageous, like 10's of thousands for simply shitty old M16's or Uzis.

 

[Gypsy Nirvana]

Seeds are a great idea. In theory one would only need to store enough prepared food for a year or so if they had a viable garden.

For all you guys across the pond, what are gun laws like over there? I get the impression that they are much more strict....

U.K. firearms policy is based on the fact that firearms are dangerous weapons and the State has a duty to protect the public from their misuse. Gun ownership in the U.K. is a privilege, not a right. Firearms control in the U.K. is among the toughest in the world, and as a result firearms offences continue to make up a small proportion (less than 0.2 percent) of recorded crime.

What kind of firearm may be licensed?

Some firearms, shotguns and rifles may be licensed and are held on a firearm or shotgun certificate. Low-powered air weapons are not licensed in England and Wales unless they are of a type declared specially dangerous by the Firearms (Dangerous Air Weapons) Rules 1969 but there are restrictions on their sale. An air weapon is "specially dangerous" if it is capable of discharging a missile with kinetic energy in excess, in the case of an air pistol, of 6 foot lb or, in the case of other air weapons,12 foot lb.

Can anyone apply for a firearm certificate?

Permission to possess or to purchase or acquire a firearm will be granted to an individual who is assessed by the licensing authority, the police, as not posing a threat to public safety and having a good reason to own the firearm. Organizations, such as target-shooting clubs, museums and firearms dealers must also apply for licences if they wish to possess or use firearms. Persons who have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three years or more cannot possess a firearm or ammunition (including antique firearms) at any time.

Who authorizes firearm and shotgun certificates?

The police are the licensing authority for firearm and shotgun certificates as well as for firearms dealers. The authority rests with local police forces rather than a central licensing authority because of the local information that police will use to inform their judgement. Prohibited weapons, such as handguns, are authorized by the Home Office on behalf of the Secretary of State.

How do the police decide if a person is fit to own a firearm?

To decide whether a person is fit to own a firearm, the licensing authority will conduct a number of checks that will usually include interviews, visits to the person's property, criminal records checks and references from friends. In addition, the applicant's GP may be contacted.

What is a good reason to own a firearm?

Applicants should be able to demonstrate to the licensing authority that they require their firearm on a regular, legitimate basis for work, sport or leisure (including collections or research). Chief Officers are able to exercise discretion over what constitutes a good reason, judging each case on its own merits.

What does a firearm certificate cost?

From April 6, 2015, the fees for the different types of firearms certificates were outlined as below. Generally, certificates for firearms and shotguns are valid for five years. Those for registered firearms dealers are valid for three years.

Fees

Grant of Firearm Certificate: £88

Grant of a Shotgun Certificate: £79.50

Renewal of Firearm Certificate: £62

Renewal of a Shotgun Certificate: £49

Registered Firearms Dealers—Grant or Renewal: £200

How are firearms stored?

The conditions of a firearm or shotgun certificate stipulate that guns must be stored securely so as to prevent access by an unlicensed person. The manner in which they are stored depends on the individual property and circumstances.

What happens to the firearms in the event of the death of the owner?

In the event of the death of a certificate holder the person inheriting the effects must surrender or declare the weapons to the police or a registered firearms dealer. Failure to do so would result in the inheritor being in breach of the law by having the firearms in their possession; it is the responsibility of the inheritor to find out whether firearms are part of the deceased effects.

Registered firearms dealers will be able to advise on the value of the items and how best to proceed in accordance with the inheritor's wishes. Options include applying for a firearms licence, selling/transferring the firearm (to a museum or collector) or destroying it.

http://europe.newsweek.com/britains-gun-laws-who-can-own-firearm-471473?rm=eu

 

[brown_thumb]

Theres a bit more to it than buying stamps. Common folk can't buy any automatic weapon made after 1986, and the ones manufactured before this must have been appropriately registered decades ago. The ending result is that there are less than 200,000 transferable automatic weapons in circulation in America, so as one could expect the prices are outrageous, like 10's of thousands for simply shitty old M16's or Uzis.

That's true about machine guns.

 

[WelderDan]

When it comes down to it, being prepared has a lot more to do with mentality than having a bunker full of dried beans, MRE's and bottled water. Anyone can stockpile a bunch of supplies.

In my earlier post, I said I would just find me a prepper and take their shit. And that's true, I am prepared to do just that. But that doesn't mean I'm not prepared. While I don't have a bunker full of dry goods, I do have a rather large collection of firearms. And I'm proficient with all of them.

Now guns alone are not the answer. I possess a number of skill sets that will serve me very well. I am an experienced hunter and fisherman. I know a great deal about wild edibles. I know how to grow things. I have some gunsmith skills. I know how to make snares and traps.

My grandfather was a Blacksmith. He passed on those skills to my father, who passed them on to me. I can make knives, axes, tools, nails, etc.

I have building skills. I can make fire several ways without matches. I know how to purify water. I know how to distill seawater into drinking water.

Anybody can stockpile a bunch of supplies. That stockpile just makes you a target. The key is adapting to the circumstances and taking advantage of what's available. That might mean eating rat, but eating rat beats going hungry after someone more determined and better armed took your stash of beans and canned ravioli.

 

[Pinball Wizard]

In case any Russians come over the Kennedy Bridge!

In case any Russians come over the Kennedy Bridge!

[YOUTUBEIF]9MBf_LvqUsQ[/YOUTUBEIF]

 

[brown_thumb]

When it comes down to it, being prepared has a lot more to do with mentality than having a bunker full of dried beans, MRE's and bottled water. Anyone can stockpile a bunch of supplies.

In my earlier post, I said I would just find me a prepper and take their shit. And that's true, I am prepared to do just that. But that doesn't mean I'm not prepared. While I don't have a bunker full of dry goods, I do have a rather large collection of firearms. And I'm proficient with all of them.

Now guns alone are not the answer. I possess a number of skill sets that will serve me very well. I am an experienced hunter and fisherman. I know a great deal about wild edibles. I know how to grow things. I have some gunsmith skills. I know how to make snares and traps.

My grandfather was a Blacksmith. He passed on those skills to my father, who passed them on to me. I can make knives, axes, tools, nails, etc.

I have building skills. I can make fire several ways without matches. I know how to purify water. I know how to distill seawater into drinking water.

Anybody can stockpile a bunch of supplies. That stockpile just makes you a target. The key is adapting to the circumstances and taking advantage of what's available. That might mean eating rat, but eating rat beats going hungry after someone more determined and better armed took your stash of beans and canned ravioli.

So if I've prepared and sacrificed to assure all my needs are met, you would come and take what I've got with no provocation from me?!? You'd kill me for it? That would result in a gunfight. No lazy, cheap, selfish A-hole piece-of-shit is taking what I have without risking his life. People like you disgust me.

 

[Gypsy Nirvana]

Yes I agree brown thumb, that sort of attitude stinks.

Anyone left after some sort of apocalyptic event would be far better off making friends and forming their own militia. Everyone has to sleep sometime, and it's by far safer to have sentries 24/7 to watch out for your fellow brothers/sisters...

To watch out for people such as WelderDan, because he won't be the only one after taking the lives and property of you and your family.

 

[Pinball Wizard]

It's always been a jungle out there...always will be

 

[WelderDan]

So if I've prepared and sacrificed to assure all my needs are met, you would come and take what I've got with no provocation from me?!? You'd kill me for it? That would result in a gunfight. No lazy, cheap, selfish A-hole piece-of-shit is taking what I have without risking his life. People like you disgust me.

Survival of the fittest baby. Are you saying you'd just roll over and die if you didn't have a stockpile? What if you were away on business with no way to get back to your precious pile of beans? What are you gonna do then? You'd target someone weaker and take their shit, that's what.

You obviously didn't pay attention to the rest of my post. I've got skills that ensure I don't need to defend a stockpile. I can survive without it. Taking your shit is just gravy.

Perhaps instead of calling me a lazy asshole piece of shit you should look at the entire post and not focus on a single part of it.

But now that you've shown your true face, I'd take your shit first.

This is a hypothetical thought exercise. Treat it like one. And really, is it necessary to call me names?

 

[corky1968]

I have papaver somniferum seeds as well lol.

If you want to learn all there is to know about opium I suggest Opium: A History by Martin Booth and Opium Fiend: A 21st Century Slave to a 19th Century Addiction by Steven Martin.

Actually, I have this book called "Opium Poppy: Botany, Chemistry, and Pharmacology" and it's the bible on opium poppies.

It doesn't have smoking information though.

 

[Green Squall]

Most people treat prepping like growing, Welder Dan. They don't tell anyone so they don't become a target.

And no, I wouldn't just roll over and die but I also wouldn't rob and kill from innocent people. That's a totally shitty attitude to have. Preserving my humanity is very important to me.

I see what your saying though. Survival of the fittest. There's a lot of bad people out there so ya, people need to take that into consideration.