Over 1,000,000 new guns are going into the hands of private buyers each month in the USA. Freedom is winning. The 2nd Amendment is annihilating its opponents in the *somewhat* free market. If the 2nd Amendment were losing and people really thought guns were not valuable to society – that we would all be better off without them – then people would be selling them at gun “buy backs,” melting them down, and recycling the metals. The exact polar opposite is happening – people are buying them like crazy!
That’s the natural, organic sign of something seen as valuable: demand. The same is true of ammunition, perhaps even more than guns – though I haven’t looked at the data on that yet. Americans still love guns – despite all of the corporate deep-state-driven propaganda painting guns as detrimental (except when in the hands of our benevolent, courageous, government workers of course).
Here’s the thing, though: too many of these guns are going into large collections. Collectors may be telling themselves they are preserving the 2nd Amendment, but collecting large numbers of weapons is actually minimally effective. The sheer number of private guns owned is but a tiny factor that helps prevent the undoing of the right to keep and bear arms.
As someone with a small collection myself, I understand the appeal and joy of owning an assortment of different types. It’s like having lots of screwdrivers, each with their own use. But it’s even cooler – some are pieces of art and history. The customizability is incredible. But I must remind myself of the crossroads we are at: most of the world has given up their right to keep and bear arms and allowed it to be completely infringed or converted into a privilege heavy with paperwork, fees, tests, and the like. Should we allow that here, it will be but a matter of time before the permitted and registered arms are systematically outlawed and confiscated, piece-by-piece.
What is more effective than gun hoarding? Widespread gun ownership, use, acceptance, and incorporation into culture and everyday life. As gun owners we must train not only the next generation of gun owners, but the current generation of citizens. Some people own many dozen or hundreds and some even thousands of guns. These are valuable resources that could be much better put towards the preservation of the 2nd Amendment.
Recommended actions based on the current geopolitical state:
- Focus on having fewer more high-quality arms and doing formal training and regular practice with them.
- An example would be an intermediate catridge rifle like a 5.56 AR-15 for CQB (close quarter combat) and beyond, as well as a reliable 9mm pistol as a sidearm.
- Ensure basic clothing and gear for battle is ready to go at all times.
- Invest in lightweight polymer-based plate armor or ceramin/similar plates (these are more fragile and require better care).
- Continually train with your gear so you know how it feels, operates, its limitations, and so you can continually improve/customize it as fit for your needs and abilities.
- Be willing to let go – a large firearms collection, once again, will not save this country and ensure freedom endures.
- Helping people become firearms owners, learn to shoot, and have their first rifle and pistol and be able to be effective with it will be infinitely more valuable than having a huge weapons cache.
- Parting with unneeded guns at reduced cost will help new gun owners be able to get into the market.
- After your primary weapons and gear are setup, then add additional such as a moderate to long-range rifle for sniper work, backup pistol, or another 5.56 rifle.
- 5.56 is useful since it is so ubiquitous – magazines, ammo, and even replacement parts will be easier to find for a 5.56 AR15 than anything else.
- Stock up on ammo, storable food, water purifying and handling, and medicines. Rough times might be ahead! You can’t eat gold and silver, nor can you eat a large gun collection
- Support organizations like KeepAndBear.org, GOA, SAF, and FPC doing important work at communicating, messaging, organizing, and fighting in court. We believe we are the best bang for the buck for the 2nd Amendment, and we also support other organizations.
Now is the time for courageous heroes. Heroism in real life means risk and sacrifice. Freedom is worth both. So I humbly urge all gun owners to risk and sacrifice by helping to create new gun owners, making sure you’re properly equipped with what’s really needed including clothing and gear, training and practicing with said guns and gear, and supporting the organizations like KeepAndBear.org which organize gun owners into the guardians of the Republic. Taking this responsibility will be the adventure of our lives and worth far more than a large collection of objects in a safe or on a wall.
