Do you need a bug out gun? Before asking this question there’s one thing to understand if you don’t already own a gun. Owning a gun is a big responsibility. They are of course just a tool, but they’re a very dangerous tool, and one that needs to be treated with respect. If you don’t intend on learning how to properly and safely use and maintain your firearm, you should not get one. Plain and simple. Below we’ll talk about the reasons that you might want a gun for bugging out, and whether a gun is the best choice.
Bug Out Gun for Self Defense
Nothing is as effective as a firearm in the hands of a trained owner at self defense, this is true. That said, there may not be anything as dangerous as a firearm in the hands of someone that doesn’t know how to use one. If you’re not already a gun owner, you should decide whether you want to be one, with all that entails. If you’re only interested in a gun for an apocalypse, consider less dangerous options, like tasers or mace. These can provide you an effective way to buy yourself time and get away from whatever the threat is. That said, if you’re prepared to learn how to handle and safely own a gun, it can be an effective self-defense-tool to add to your bag.
Escalation
Escalation is something that should be mentioned in the context of self defense. It’s a very important concept in firearm safety. Do not point a gun at anything you’re not prepared to destroy, ever. With that in mind, pulling a gun immediately escalates the conflict to life-or-death. If you’re faced with anything less lethal than a firearm, this could cut off the situation and back down your potential attacker. On the other hand, it puts the other person in a life-or-death situation. That could prompt them to take immediate action or do something unexpected. Pulling a gun on someone is issuing a lethal threat. Do not take it lightly because the person being issued the threat never will.
Knives and Other Cutlery
Knives aren’t as deadly as firearms but they are still dangerous. That said, they’re like firearms. If you’re untrained they could be more dangerous to you than to the other person. Don’t look at machetes or other knives that so often fall into the “mall ninja” category, they’re best left as tools. If you go around swinging machetes or swords because it looked cool in a movie you’re going to tire yourself out. You might even hurt yourself too. When choosing knives or other cutting tools, choose them for their utility in a survival situation. Don’t bother bringing them unless you need them.
Bug Out Gun for Hunting
Hunting is a very valid reason to want a gun. If the SHTF you may well have to provide food for yourself and your family in the long term. Guns are certainly effective tools for hunting but they come with an inherent problem. That’s ammunition. If you don’t have the know-how and the tools to refill your own ammo, you will eventually run out. For this reason there are other very attractive options for hunting. If you use a bow or crossbow, you can often recover your arrows or bolts. If you get proficient with a slingshot, you’re in even better shape as your ammunition is infinite. A gun is effective for hunting, but make sure you take the issue of long-term ammunition into account.
To sum it all up. If you’re considering a firearm for self defense I heavily recommend taking a safety course. Practice and maintain it regularly. Don’t give them to people that don’t know how to use them. Mace and tasers can be stopping methods that are less risky for the untrained user. As far as hunting is concerned, guns are effective but can be rendered useless. Make sure you’ve got a plan for if you run out of ammunition.