When we are prepping to survive, food and water are of the utmost importance, but after that one could argue that weapons and self defense come next. Many people who are preparing don’t have a lot of experience with weapons. Some have never shot a gun before. It can be confusing to know where to start, and what your possibilities are. Having an arsenal of weapons will provide you with a real advantage though when the SHTF. You need the means to defend yourself, and each potential situation might call for a different weapon and course of action.
Firearms Are The Cornerstone
For most people, firearms will be the most dependable and desirable weapons to protect themselves. I happen to fall into that camp as well. My goal is to never have to fire my weapon. If someone is trying to forcibly enter my domicile to do who knows what to me, if I point a double barrel shotgun at them, there’s a 99% chance they will turn around and run away petrified.
While this can be the most expensive aspect of prepping for some folks, it is definitely something you can’t skip over. Whether you choose to go with a shotgun, a pistol, a rifle, or combinations of all 3, just be sure to have at least one gun. Be sure to have safe methods of storing your firearms. Know how to choose the right gun for the right situation too. If you have a fear of guns, that is something you will need to address and come to terms with. If you live in a country where procuring a gun is next to impossible, you’ll need to explore other options.
What Non-Firearm Weapons Are A Possibility?
For some people, based on where they live or other circumstances in life, firearms are not an option. If this is the case, other possibilities are available to you in defending yourself and your home. While these weapons don’t possess the power of a firearm, they can most certainly be lethal. More than that, they make a powerful statement and cause would be aggressors to retreat.
My favorite of which would have to be a crossbow. With a crossbow you can fire off numerous potentially fatal shots very quickly, due to the bows automatic like function. You don’t have to pull the bowstring back like you would with a traditional bow and arrow, the crossbow fires its arrows in a very similar fashion to a gun.
You also have various sharp objects you can brandish as weapons, such as knives, a machete or a sword. These are very intimidating and potentially lethal weapons that you can stand your ground with. Prior to the advent of guns in modern warfare, the sword was used almost exclusively in military battles. Unlike a sword, a machete can double as a useful tool if you find yourself bugging out, as it can clear away brush and cut things down. A machete can do just about all the gory things a sword can do as well. I prefer a firearm over all sharp object weapons though. Both to use as a warning and to use to take a threat down.
Can Non-Lethal Weapons Be Effective As Well?
Non-lethal weapons can absolutely be of help to you if you find yourself in a vulnerable position. Some people will want to stick with non lethal weapons, and that is certainly understandable. If that is your position, I would advise you to own a pistol that is unloaded for show, or a fake pistol altogether if it is very convincing. The statement a gun makes in self defense pointed at someone totally diffuses the situation almost every time.
Some of the top items to consider in the non-lethal realm are definitely taser guns and stun guns. A taser gun sends powerful electrical currents to its target, causing powerful muscle spasms. The pain and loss of control is enough to totally subdue even the strongest person. A stun gun, which is also a conductive energy device, incapacitates the potential risk by sending shock waves that affect the muscular system. The difference is you have to make direct contact with the stun gun, whereas you can shoot a projection at the perpetrator with a taser gun as the darts it shoots are connected to the gun by wires. Taser guns are now effectively used by most police departments.
You have the option of using mace or pepper spray on a potential threat. The effects of these are excruciating and will definitely subdue a threat for a good 10 or 15 minutes, but what do you do after that? It’s a good start, but if you stop there they will be tempted to come back for revenge. This item is far more useful to preppers when they are en route to their bug out location as opposed to defending their home. There is an exception to that rule though, and that would be the pepper spray launcher. Unlike with a spray container of mace, potential threats will know you have other weapons when you hit them with a pepper spray launcher. It is the best non-lethal weapon I know of to subdue a group or mob of people, and a must have as far as I’m concerned.
While a baseball bat could technically be considered a lethal weapon, it all depends on where you are hitting the person with said bat. If you have not prepared yourself and you are totally vulnerable, at least have a baseball bat. Not every zombie looking for food will be brandishing a weapon, so a baseball bat just might be enough.
Knives
I really don’t consider knives to be weapons, but more as tools. Obviously a knife can be used as a weapon and has been countless times throughout history. In countries like England where guns have been banned, knife stabbings are common in cities like London. Trying to stab someone who is trying to break your door down isn’t a very effective measure though.
While knives might not be a great weapon, other sharp objects like a sword or a machete could be used in certain situations. If you are going to be hunkered down at home with several people, having one person hold a sword from one direction and the other family member pointing a gun on the other side makes quite a statement.
Bow and Arrow
Not the most conventional of weapons, but a bow and arrow can be very effective. It is also virtually silent, where shooting off a firearm will be quite loud and other people nearby will definitely be able to hear it. A crossbow can be very intimidating when its pointed right at you with an arrow bent back.
Mace Pepper Spray and Tasers
