Mutual Assistance Groups: Choosing a Location for Your MAG

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August 12, 2015

Editor’s Note: This is part of a series from Charley Hogwood of P.R.E.P. on mutual assistance groups (MAG).

When it comes to mutual assistance groups, many people misinterpret the value of properly organizing. Just as you wouldn’t begin building a home without a solid foundation, it is important to do some foundational work to create or reestablish a strong group.

MAGs: The Mission Statement

The mission statement defines your mutual assistance group. The chaos and confusion of a grid down event is not the time to make the rules up on the fly, if at all possible. Mission statements can be written by one member or several members. It doesn’t really matter as long as the statement accurately describes the mutual assistance group’s goals. This can be the mutual assistance group’s first exercise in finding real common ground.

There is only one imperative, and it is that everyone completely agrees and buys into the final written statement.

MAGs: Elements of a Mission Statement

What should be in your mission statement?

Purpose Statement – This defines the desired outcome, not the method of getting there.
How-to Statement – What activities will we do to accomplish our goals?
Values Statement – If you desire to include religion, or have any specific moral values you wish to make clear, here is the opportunity. Perhaps you wish to clarify your political direction or affiliation here as well. Try not to turn the statement into an essay.

MAGs: Taking the Oath

Why would you want to go to the level of having an oath for new members to the mutual assistance group? There are many very good reasons to establish an oath. You thoughtfully worded a mission statement to remove any confusion of what the mutual assistance group is all about. Now that you have everyone on the same page and bought in to why they are here, ask them to pledge to support the group.

MAGs: Ratify a Constitution

Now that you know why you are part of the mutual assistance group and where it’s going, you are ready to face the problems of keeping order. Without order the mutual assistance group is little more than a refugee camp with no rules.

A constitution is a document that explains how the governing body will work. Great care should be taken in preparing this document for the mutual assistance group. It has been noted by scholars that the most effective constitutions are not the most specific. It is recommended that members become familiar with small government concepts and chain of command leadership structures to create the most advantageous system of governing.

As the mutual assistance group grows you will find a cross section of personalities and values. It is wise for leadership to be flexible to account for this. Too many regulations and too rigid a structure can cause interpersonal battles to consume precious time needed to achieve group goals.

One thing to also keep in mind: safety! To encourage safety and prevent accidents with equipment it would be wise to devise safety protocols such as the buddy system when working in dangerous environments or ground guide personnel for moving vehicles. This will help to prevent accidents.

MAGs: People First

It is important to remember that all organizations successfully operate only by paying strict attention to the needs, aspirations and concerns of people. Even in a long-term survival situation, people will require a certain level of customer service, for lack of better description. It may take some time to get to this point when there are many more pressing matters at hand, but it will become more important as time marches on.

Mutual Assistance Group Tasks & Priorities, Part 2

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August 12, 2015

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Who in the mutual assistance group (MAG) will be responsible for day-to-day chores, such as caring for children and hauling water?

Editor’s Note: Read the first part of this article on mutual assistance group tasks and priorities here. You can also read every article in Charley Hogwood’s series on mutual assistance group information here.

Daily Chores of Mutual Assistance Groups

In the daily routine members will be working together to provide for the common welfare of the mutual assistance group (MAG) through chores such as:

Hygiene
Child Care
Education
Sanitation
Water Collection
Food Production

Special Projects or Operations of Mutual Assistance Groups

Items in this category will be those irregular operations that may require that manpower be diverted from other areas. This may be a multi-day trip for hunting or scouting. It could be a spoiler attack on another MAG that is threatening.

Mutual Assistance Group Training

Somewhere in the schedule you will need to make the time for training. Since most members will not be competent in all skills, it will be imperative that a training program be initiated as soon as possible.

Building a Team and a Team Charter

Teams are a great way to accomplish complex tasks within the larger mutual assistance group. Friction can result, however, when they are all moving in different directions. It is imperative that a team work as one, especially when the chips are down. There is no room for independent action when everyone else expects you to act as a team.

This is where a Team Charter can help. The Team Charter is a document that defines what the purpose of the team is, how it is organized and what is expected from them. It is best to establish the charter as soon as the team is defined but it can be created later for a team that is struggling.

Begin by addressing three components:

What is the reason for the team?
What is the team expected to accomplish as a whole?
Why is the team’s mission so important to the group and how does it fit into the overall mission?

The Directory of Skills

Many opinions are available on what makes a mutual assistance group work, but it all boils down to the quality of members, their level of preparedness and the skills they bring to the table.

So what kind of skills would serve a group in the aftermath of a long-term event?

Blue Collar Skills
Child / Elderly care
Cooks
Education / Teacher
Food Production / Farming / Livestock
Gunsmith/Reloader
Ham Radio/Commo
Hunters and Trappers
Mechanically inclined personnel
Mechanics
Medical trained personnel
Military/Security/Self Defense
Primitive Survivalist or Homesteaders
Scavengers
Seamstress
Solar/Alternate Energy
Toolmaker/Engineer/Blacksmith

Mutual Assistance Group Tasks & Priorities, Part 1

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August 12, 2015

Editor’s Note: This is part of a series from Charley Hogwood of P.R.E.P. on mutual assistance groups (MAG).

<Mutual Assistance Group (MAG) Tasks and Work Priorities

Your mutual assistance group (MAG) will need to decide how to fill those slots as time goes on. Tasking requirements in the beginning before disaster with only a few people is considerably different than if you evolved into a full-time colony in a world without rule of law (WWROL).

It is important to identify your priorities and only advance into new projects when the manpower, treasure and conditions permit.

Start with Existing Operations and Personnel

Begin by taking account of what you already have. Start with your existing operations and personnel. What priority survival systems are already in place? Are they running smoothly and at a reasonable capacity? Once your current situation is under control, only then can you begin to think about adding more work.

You may find in your initial assessment that there are active projects that are not priority right now and they may be delaying more important projects. After you are comfortable in the current situation, start the expansion process. You should identify a list of desired projects and assign them a priority.

Interdependency

Along the way you will begin to see some opportunities for interdependency. Some jobs will naturally dovetail with others.

For example, most tactical and security work utilize similar personnel and equipment. Farming can combine animal husbandry and gardening. You can always follow the Rule of 3s as a quick reminder of what’s most important in survival.

Security is Top Priority

Now, there is one important adjustment to this thinking: SECURITY IS ALWAYS JOB ONE!

You’ll have ongoing daily chores and activities, but you must also provide for the task of security. We know that security never takes a day off. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the security plan must be performed with discipline and proficiency.

Too often, people overestimate their abilities and underestimate their situation. Choose your battles and take every advantage available to you.

* Click here to read part two of this article on mutual assistance group chores.

Emergency Lighting: Glow-in-the-Dark Paint?

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Vincent Zandri

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August 12, 2015

Glow-in-the-dark paint isn’t just for kids anymore.

Glow sticks have long been a staple of survival kits, but have you ever thought about adding glow-in-the-dark paint? The technology is getting better and brighter. It’s quickly becoming more appealing for the modern prepared person, especially for uses around the home.

Glow-in-the-Dark Paint Lighting Up UK Walkways

Need proof? Walking paths, exterior staircases, driveways, and more can now light up at night thanks to a new carbon and energy free polyurethane construction material that absorbs sunlight during the day and gives off illumination at night.

The product is called STARPATH and it’s already lighting up nighttime walkways. Developed in the UK, the glow-in-the-dark, paint-on, ambient lighting material is also said to be water and slip-resistant.

Glow-in-the-Dark Paint Uses

While glow-in-the-dark paint itself isn’t new, the large-scale application of the product is recent. It just might be the perfect emergency lighting solution for the extended power outages that can accompany both man-made and natural disasters.

Other uses could be:

Make a trail like Hansel and Gretel to find your way to and from important locations in the dark. This could be ideal when the power goes out and you need to find a cache of gear. Or light the path from your house to a shed.
Paint it on door knobs, light switches and handles inside dark garages, sheds or other outside storage structures.
Need to find a critical switch or electric panel in the basement when the power is out? Glow-in-the-dark paint is your answer.
Throw a bottle in an outdoor survival kit. If flashlight batteries run out during an emergency and building a fire is out of the question, glow-in-the-dark paint could alert rescuers to your position. Paint it on your survival shelter and surroundings.

Do Your Preparedness Plans Suffer from Tunnel Vision?

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Jim Cobb

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August 12, 2015

It’s easy to focus only on one or two areas of a preparedness plan. The best approach is always a balanced one that considers all areas. - See more at: https://www.livingreadyonline.com/emergency-preparedness/preparedness-plans?preview=true&preview_id=194571&preview_nonce=89c80b1a01&post_format=standard#sthash.P2dbILQ4.dpuf — It’s easy to focus only on one or two areas of a preparedness plan. The best approach is always a balanced one that considers all areas.

All too often, we preppers tend to get all wrapped up in one aspect of our planning and let other areas slide. I see it happen most often with firearms and other weaponry. So much time, as well as expense, is devoted to amassing an armory that the effort would have brought a tear (a MANLY tear) to Charlton Heston’s eye, yet the food storage consists of a single case of canned stew.

Preparedness Plans: It’s Not All About Defense

Yes, security and defense are very important components of any preparedness plan. But, it is rather difficult to shoot accurately when your hands are shaking due to missed meal cramps in the belly. Tummy rumbling doesn’t make sneaking up on someone any easier, either.

Of course, the opposite is true as well. I’ve talked with preppers who have enough food to last their family at least a few years, but for security have just an old single shot shotgun – that they’ve not fired in a decade or more.

Preparedness Plans: Address Each Area, Not Just One

There are several different components for a truly comprehensive disaster readiness plan. Some of these include:

Food: Storage, acquisition, preservation.
Water: Storage, filtration, disinfection.
First aid: Bandages, meds, equipment.
Defense: Firearms, other weapons, ammunition.
Shelter: Expedient, permanent, tools and materials for repair.
Fire: Means of lighting, firewood procurement and storage.

Further, each of those areas has several sub-components that need to be addressed. It isn’t enough to just have enough food to last a year. You need to have the means to cook it, serve it, and clean up afterwards.

Preparedness Plans: Time to Get Organized – And Serious

One great way to keep yourself on track is to rotate your focus to a different survival planning area each week. If you don’t have one handy, stop in at your local dollar store and pick up a wall calendar. Go through and write just a one word topic in the box for every Sunday through the year. Week 1 is Food, Week 2 is Water, etc.. Rotate through all those areas over and over until you get to the end of December.

I’m not suggesting you spend the entire week working on your food storage. Rather, use the calendar as a reminder to rotate your canned goods, take a quick inventory of the paper goods, or purchase a few extra bags of split peas or rice that week.

Preparedness Plans: Build Them Like a Car

By taking the blinders off, so to speak, you’ll be in a better position to see the whole picture. All these different areas of preparedness are sort of like the different components in a car’s engine. You can change the oil as much as you want, but if you neglect to check the coolant once in a while, you might still find yourself stranded.

Managing a MAG: Shine a Light on Blind Spots

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August 12, 2015

Team exercises can shine a light on blind spots in a MAG's plans. — Team exercises can shine a light on blind spots in a MAG’s plans.

Editor’s Note: This is part of a series from Charley Hogwood of P.R.E.P. on mutual assistance groups.

Just because a group of people finds themselves together in a situation doesn’t mean they are capable of performing as one, no matter how motivated they are. Training and regular teamwork projects are necessary to develop the cohesiveness needed to better their chances of success.

MAG Blind Spots: It Starts with Exercises

Well organized mutual assistance group exercises will force everyone to participate as a team to break down the walls of animosity and self-confidence. The MAG will enjoy more open communication.

The exercises will facilitate sharing of information and expectations among members. By improving the social bonding through team exercises, the mutual assistance group will reduce that awkwardness of being around relative strangers. Members will relate and understand each other better which in turn will increase loyalty and trust. These exercises will also show who is not a team player and may not be compatible with the group’s stated goals.

MAG Gap Analysis for Blind Spots

A gap is a missing dot that is needed for continuity. For example, you make a plan to extinguish a fire at the MAG retreat location. A fire breaks out and everyone rushes to their stations. Is there a working fire extinguisher? Is the fire extinguisher trapped on the other side of the fire and not by a doorway?

For our purposes there will be three types of blind spots that can become problematic to the survivor:

Physical blind spots are the most obvious and refer to the area behind a physical obstacle. Such a blind spot might shield someone approaching our position. For example, think about a shed that an intruder might hide behind as he advances on your home.
The next type of blindspot is an unknown condition in a plan or activity. You can only plan for what you know or imagine.
The most overlooked blindspot is actually a fatal flaw in the decision making process. It is very hard to plan for something you didn’t even know existed.

An effective leader will find a way to walk it back where such a problem does not jeopardize the task at hand.

Prepping Tips for Apartment Renters

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August 12, 2015

“Our situation is that we do not have a house; we are apartment renters. We have two children and one on the way. My concerns are: No space so I have no storage or supplies anymore; not able to alter our living area, so I have no idea how we’d shelter in place etc; and the turn-over with neighbors is fairly high so I feel that our safety group is non existent. We have no family near us as they are all out west. What do we do?”

That’s the question reader Lupita B. asked the staff. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to have readers step in and offer some apartment prepping tips. Here are some of their responses.

Prepping Tips for Apartment Renters

“First, you must be able to secure your apartment. Examine every opening big enough to enter and develop methods to secure it (similar to storm coverings for windows, but installed from the inside). Then you have to develop a bug out plan. Bug out bags with hiking boots are a must. Because bugging out is probably going to be a must, consider using a burial tube (5-gallon bucket, desiccant and screw-on lid) to stash goods along your bug out route. Finally, have a destination, and stash/store the majority of your preps there.” – William Major

“Start networking. Make some new contacts in your area (a simple note on the library bulletin board?) and stress your strong points. For example, you might be able to watch other kids during an event. We all have areas we can contribute. Good luck and God bless.” – Jcharles Tower

“Get furniture now that is dual purpose to use as storage; a trunk as a coffee table, a cloth covered file cabinet as an end table. Stack water bricks behind a couch that sits against a wall, they are each small and easy to move from place to place. If you have to move you can empty the water out and refill at your new location, they can hold water as well as dry goods like food stuffs or even ammo. Bug out bags stored in the bottom of a closet if you have to evacuate with 72 hours of supplies. Plan first for the shortest and easiest emergencies and maybe once that is done then you will have moved on to another location, or stage of your life and will be able to plan for larger and longer situations. Find and join local Prepper groups through Meetups or the American Preppers Network. Allies do not have to live in your apartment complex. You may find someone that has a location that needs other like-minded families to join them to help defend and live with after a major event.” – Linda Chambers

“Get risers for the beds so you can get storage bins under them. If you are allowed to, put additional shelving in your closets. You’d be surprised at how much you can store with one or two additional shelves per closet.” – Noel Spicuzza

“Build a three-day supply of food and water, and then shoot for a two-week supply. Keep setting small goals so you can gauge your progress. We are in a town home, and I have two young children. Though space is limited we make the best out of the small storage unit and the space under the stairs. You are going to have to get creative in finding ways to store supplies: under beds, temporary shelves in closets or anywhere else.” – Justin King

“Another idea is to rent a very small storage locker (3×3) close to you (walking distance if possible) to store non perishable, not heat effected preps.” – Linda Chambers

Cold Weather Survival: 5 Heat Loss Mechanisms

By

John McCann

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August 12, 2015

Learn the five ways your body loses heat in this cold weather survival feature. Addressing these heat loss mechanisms will go a long way in cold weather.

The ways that heat from your body can be transferred to the environment are called heat loss mechanisms. In a hot climate some of these mechanisms can be used to your advantage, but in a cold weather survival scenario they can all be detrimental.

#1 Heat Loss Mechanism: Radiation

Radiation is the primary cause of heat loss. Our body radiates heat to the environment much like the sun radiates heat to the earth or a campfire radiates heat to keep us warm.

At 50 degrees F, 50 percent of the body’s heat can be transferred to the environment through an exposed head and neck. We can also lose heat from our wrists, hands and feet.

#2 Heat Loss Mechanism: Conduction

Conduction is the process by which we lose heat through direct contact between objects. This can occur when sitting on a cold or snow-covered stump or rock, when wet clothes come in contact with your body, by touching cold objects with bare hands, or by kneeling on the snow to build an emergency shelter. Avoid these situations to prevent conduction of heat from the body to other objects.

#3 Heat Loss Mechanism: Convection

Convection is loss of body heat due to movement of air or liquid across your skin. An example of convection is wind chill. Through radiation, the human body is always warming a thin layer of air next to the skin. The temperature of that layer of air is usually equal to that of the skin. When this layer of warm air is undisturbed, the body stays warm. However, if this warm layer is removed by convection, the body quickly cools down.

#4 Heat Loss Mechanism: Evaporation

Evaporation is a process whereby liquid changes to vapor, during which heat from the liquid escapes to the environment. In a cold environment, it is essential to wear fabrics that breathe. If water vapor from perspiration cannot evaporate through clothing, it will condense, freeze and reduce the insulation value of the clothing. This will cause your body temperature to go down.

#5 Heat Loss Mechanism: Respiration

We lose heat through our normal breathing process. You can observe this when you see a person’s breath on a cold day. This is heat from the body lost to the environment. It is also difficult to prevent this loss, as we have to breathe.

Your Bug Out Location is “Taken,” What Now?

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August 12, 2015

What would you do if you arrived at your bug out location only to find someone beat you there?

Not everyone has a bug out location (aka BOL) waiting for them should disaster strike their primary residence. Those who do often choose remote areas far from population centers. The idea is to stay secluded until conditions improve.

But what if the bug out location is already “taken” upon arrival? Here’s the scenario:

“A natural disaster (let’s say a big storm) is due to hit your town. Before it hits, you and your family follow your emergency plan and bug out to a fully stocked cabin many miles from danger. But when you get there you find a group of strangers have broken in and are bunked up inside. What do you do?

Your Bug Out Location is “Taken,” What Now?

“Similar thing happened to me with a friend’s family. I went with them to their summer cottage in the NC mountains one long Fall weekend to find someone already there. The father did not call the cops just busted in on the family there got into a physical altercation and he ended up in jail as well as the adults in the other group. Turns out a neighbor knew where their keys where hidden and had been renting out the house for years while the family that owned it lived in Florida without them knowing. Not all people in the situation may be there with ill intentions.” – Linda Chambers

“If they are there, everything you stockpiled is either consumed or trashed. Plus, you have your family with you, so getting in a shoot-out with kids around is a bad idea. Since your scenario doesn’t say TEOTWAWKI, back off, get your family safe, and call the cops.” – Mike Phillips

“Sweep and clear, Castle [Doctrine].” – Jesse VanderBie

“If the infrastructure is still in place call 911! If not, arm yourself, call out to them from out side and assess the situation as it unfolds.” – Blake Samuele Southard

“Call the police, detain the people, video the whole thing for proof.” – Carrie Bartkowiak

“Our own BOL is a family farm, so we have different contingencies than this one, however, all responses must be first gauged by the threat level they actually present. In this case the adversary you are facing has already broken in and occupied your property, showing a deliberate disregard for your property, the law, as well as your own safety in the circumstances you all face in this scenario. If you have women/children/elders/pets, etc. in your group, they, and not your BOL, are your first responsibility and priority. Avoid an under timed outcome from a conflict, and regroup.” JCharles Tower

“Forcefully remove them. Once removed and disarmed, discuss whether they stay or not.” – Jeff Hughes

“Explain your right to possession. If they do not comply…call the authorities. I’ll give them 60 minutes to arrive. At minute 61, were going in armed…and shots will be fired.” – William Major

“If there any children in your group remove them to a safe spot with a guard for protection. if this is “your” property and all of your supplies are in there then you are going to have to fight for it. if the strangers can be removed then do so. if it’s a family, maybe a compromise can be worked out. if still available, call 911. warn them that the cops have been called. if they are using a possible wood stove inside you can easily smoke them out. if it is a “be all, do all, end of all” situation you are going to have to come to terms with taking lives. better them than the lives of your family.” – Echo Moon

MAGs: Make a Contingency Survival Plan

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August 12, 2015

A mutual assistance group (MAG) is an exercise in readiness, flexibility and sustainability. Though we may have certain scenarios in mind where the proverbial fan fails, we cannot guarantee what might actually happen.

In order for your group to truly be prepared, it should adopt an all-hazards approach with contingency survival plans. This is not to say you shouldn’t be ready for a total grid down apocalypse or financial crash. Just take some time to consider some of the other possibilities that could, and regularly do, happen hundreds of times every year.

Contingency Survival Plans: Key Terms

First, there are a few terms to know:

A Hazard is something that has the potential to negatively impact you.
Your Vulnerability is how susceptible you are to the hazard.
Your Risk is the level of probability that the hazard will affect you. What are the chances it could happen?
The Impact Analysis considers the probable outcome of the event as it relates to you. How could this hazard impact your life?

Contingency Survival Plans: Trigger Points

Now that we have identified our immediate hazards, let’s see what kind of outside influences could set a disaster event into motion.

In our globalized society, events that happen great distances away can have direct or trickle down effects on anyone, anywhere. By paying attention to your news sources, you will be alert for geopolitical or natural events that might disrupt supply chains for everything from food to fuel.

Developing Contingency Survival Plans

There are several steps to formulating a contingency survival plan. Done in the proper order and well considered, these steps will get you within throwing distance of your objective.

To increase the odds in your favor, you will need to refine the contingency survival plan until it works. Then maintain it just as you would with any other piece of equipment. Once you have the basics down, revisit the plans that require a higher priority and reinforce them.

Formulating The Basic Contingency Survival Plan

Identify the Problem – Begin by using one of the natural hazards gleaned from your hazard analysis.
Form a Team – Who will be the players in this plan? What is the leadership and chain of command?
Understand the Situation – What is the hazard and how does it affect you? What are the consequences should this occur?
Determine your Goals and Objectives – What do you want to happen? What is the ultimate objective.
Identify Courses of Action – This is where you say how you will deal with each contingency with specific plans of action. Who will do what, what will they do, how will they do it, what will they use to get it done and when does it need to be done.
Identify Contingencies – If it can go wrong, you may want to prepare for it.
Prepare The Plan – Write it down and distribute the plan to all the players. If there is any sensitive information involved, apply some sort of protocol to protect it.
Implement and Maintain the Plan – Now is the time to take the plan for a test drive. This is where you perform a training session to practice the plan. Remember to use the Crawl, Walk, Run method to reduce confusion. When a problem is found, make note or stop training until it is resolved. Make sure any updates to the plan are distributed as needed and all old copies are destroyed.
Update the Plan as Needed – If anything changes such as conditions, personnel, contact information, technology or equipment, update the plan. At the very least be sure to update annually.

Editor’s Note: This is part of a series from Charley Hogwood of P.R.E.P. on mutual assistance groups.

Concealed Carry: The Mind is the Weapon

By

Jim Schlender

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August 12, 2015

Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self Defense

Massad Ayoob teaches his popular MAG 20 class. Photo courtesy Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World, Vol. II. — Massad Ayoob teaches his popular MAG 20 class. Photo courtesy Massad Ayoob’s Greatest Handguns of the World, Vol. II.

Massad Ayoob’s Armed Citizens’ Rules of Engagement class gives those who carry concealed plenty of food for thought.

The topic of concealed carry has been on my mind a lot lately. That’s not only because we just wrapped up our annual Concealed Carry special issue, but also because I just returned from 20 hours of intense instruction at Massad Ayoob’s Armed Citizens’ Rules of Engagement class.

Ayoob has made a lifelong career out of educating professionals and common folk like you and me about every aspect of using firearms for self-defense. While his competitive shooting resume ranks him with the best of the best, Mas is perhaps best known to the general public for his landmark book, “In the Gravest Extreme: The Role of the Firearm in Personal Protection,” published in 1980. He followed that up last year by partnering with us at Gun Digest to publish Deadly Force: Understanding Your Right to Self Defense.

This column appears in the 2015 Concealed Carry issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. Click here to download the full issue. — This column appeared in the 2015 Concealed Carry issue of Gun Digest the Magazine. Click here to download the full issue.

Ayoob’s Armed Citizens’ class is an exhaustive extension of the material in these books, and if I had to summarize their purpose in one word, it would be this: think. All of your hardware knowledge and range time are pointless if you don’t know and appreciate the consequences of using a firearm for self defense.

Mas led off one portion of the class with this: “The mind is the weapon. Everything else is supplemental.” Be honest: Have you spent as much time training your mind for a lethal-force encounter as you have working on your shooting skills? If, God forbid, you need to fire in self defense, are you prepared to deal with the aftermath? I can’t begin to place a monetary value on a weekend learning about things like the true definition of justifiable defense; the actual meaning of Stand Your Ground; when the Castle Doctrine applies; 10 myths of self-defense; the Reasonable Man Doctrine … I could go on, but that would require dumping a 70-page packet of my notes on you.

Instead, seek out the best training and information you can find. Read what you can find from qualified experts and authors (hint: they’re not often found on Internet forums). And if you can find your way into Massad Ayoob’s classes and courses, so much the better (MassadAyoobGroup.com). Like your favorite concealed carry firearm, you may never have to use it. But if you do, you’ll be glad you have it.

Also Check Out:

Among the topics discussed, this guide will help you understand any legal and ethical issues concerning the use of lethal force by private citizens. You’ll also learn about the social and psychological issues surrounding the use of lethal force for self-defense or in defense of others. In addition to exploring these issues, Ayoob also discusses the steps a responsible armed citizen can and should take in order to properly prepare for or help mitigate a lethal force situation. Learn more

Gun Buying Demand Surges for the Colt Python

By

Brian McCombie

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August 12, 2015

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High polished Colt Pythons. Photo from Massad Ayoob's Greatest Handguns of the World. — High polished “Double Diamond” Colt Pythons. Photo from Massad Ayoob’s Greatest Handguns of the World.

Colt Python revolvers and all other Colt wheel guns are in big demand across the nation, with prices skyrocketing.

The situation is no different at Collectors Firearms, said owner Danny Clark, with some of the iconic Pythons he offers going for as much $4,000 apiece. Colt Diamondbacks also come with a hefty price tag—up to $2,500.

Actually, Clark said pre-1980 double-action revolvers in general have seen a surge in collector interest, including those made by Smith and Wesson (S&W). An S&W Model 29 revolver, for example—yes, none other than the “Dirty Harry” wheelgun—is bringing in up to $1,800 apiece, several hundred dollars more than just a few months ago. The classic S&W Model 25 revolver is also being snapped up, with collectors paying up to $1,500 for one.

Danny Clark — Collectors Firearms, Houston, Texas, Collectorsfirearms.com

Colt Pythons Spark Bidding Wars At the Most Recent RIA Gun Auction

Frequent and exciting bidder battles punctuated the most recent firearms auction at Rock Island Auctions (RIA), noted RIA owner Pat Hogan, and resulted in $11.6 million in total sales.

The biggest battle of the day two took place over a first-year production Colt Python revolver, serial No. 170. Bids climbed outside of the typical range for a Python as two phone bidders squared off. When it was all over, the final bid stood at an astounding $17,250!

Day two saw a good many Pythons cross the auction block to a flurry of bids. Two Angelo Bee engraved revolvers were snatched up for $8,050 and $7,475, respectively. A 1958 production Python achieved $7,475, while over two dozen of the revolvers pulled down over $3,000.

Preparedness Tips for Families of Divorce

By

Jim Cobb

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August 12, 2015

Preparedness Tips and Survival Plans for Split Families

With around 50 percent of all marriages in the United States ending in divorce, and with a high percentage of those split families involving children, more and more preppers are faced with the possibility of those kids being in another home when disaster hits.

It is important to consider this when making your survival plans. While you may liken conversations with your ex to be even less desirable than a root canal performed with rusty tools and no laughing gas, you still need to sit down with him or her and discuss who is going to be responsible for what, should the worst come to pass.

Preparedness Tips for Families of Divorce: Who Gets the Kids?

For example, if an event happens, who will pick up the kids at school? Will that always fall to Dad, no matter what? Or, will it be whichever parent has custody that week? All other things being equal, I suggest that task be assigned to whichever parent is routinely closest to the school and can therefore get there the quickest.

As a follow up to that, while it is probably assumed the children will go to the parent’s home after being picked up, what if that location is not safe? There need to be plans in place as to where that part of the family will go, how they will get there, and how long they will wait for everyone else.

Preparedness Tips for Families of Divorce: Make a Plan

What you might consider doing is determining two different backup locations. Call them A and B. Location A is the primary backup, B is the secondary. Should the home be determined to be unsafe for some reason, everyone is to meet at location A.

Once there, the family will wait a predetermined length of time and, if no one else shows up (or that location also becomes unsafe), they move on to the second meeting place. Give thought as to where a message could be left as well, such as under a specific potted plant or in a mailbox.

Preparedness Tips for Families of Divorce: Consider the Ex

One way to stay in touch with family when a disaster hits is with a two-way radio. Remember, cell phones often go out of service. One such recommendation would be DeLorme inReach satellite communicator for constant contact.

Then, there’s the subject of physical preps – water, food and supplies – necessary to provide for basic needs throughout the duration of the crisis.

In speaking with preppers at conferences, a situation where both parents are preppers is the rare exception. In fact, I’ve known more than a couple people for whom the marriage break up was at least partially due to beliefs about disaster readiness.

In any event, the reality is that if your former spouse doesn’t actively prep, you might need to do double duty, so to speak.

If your budget allows, consider investing in some extra food and gear and ask your ex to keep it at their house. Stress that you aren’t asking them to be financially invested in this, they merely need to give up a bit of closet space.

While you, as the “prepping parent,” may feel compelled to do anything you can to get your ex actively involved with prepping, it is far better to be able to convince them to let you stage supplies at their home than it is to feel like you’ve won the larger argument about prepping in general.

Photos: 5 Best Survival Handguns

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August 12, 2015

Check out these photos of the five best survival handguns as selected by readers. Did your favorite make it?

This roundup of five of the best survival handguns comes courtesy of readers like you. In the What’s In Your Bug Out Bag? book, readers explained their choices for best survival handguns. These five came up often, so they’re highlighted here.

Best Survival Handgun: Browning URX .22 Pistol

This .22 pistol is a pleasure to shoot. An ergonomic design means even new shooters can quickly plant .22 rounds on target. The lightweight URX makes for the perfect all-around sidearm.

Best Survival Handgun: Glock 19 Gen 4

What’s there to say about Glock pistols that hasn’t been said before? They have their fans and detractors, but the 19 offers a 15-round capacity that won’t let you down in a pinch.

Best Survival Handgun: Taurus Judge

Love it or hate it, the Taurus Judge is synonymous with survival. Load it with .45 or .410 rounds. That versatility matters when the weight of a tactical CQB long gun just isn’t feasible.

Best Survival Handgun: Ruger Mark II

This is another .22 pistol that built its name on reliability. Since being introduced in the ’80s, the original runs of Ruger Mark II pistols are still in service. That says a lot.

Best Survival Handgun: Walther PK 380

The Walther PK 380 holds nine rounds of .380 ACP in a compact package. It’s a great option for self-defense and concealed carry purposes.

True Drowning Story: Why Mental Preparedness is Everything

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August 12, 2015