Prayer Breakfast
0700 at BJ’s Restaurant
Hamilton, Montana
O Father, in every age you have called out men and women to
be your faithful servants. We believe you have now called us to join that great
company who seeks to follow you. Grant unto us today and always a clear vision
of you call and strength to fulfill the ministry assigned to us. In Jesus
Christ’s name we pray. Amen.
1. Opening - Round the Table
Individual Prayers
2. Breakfast is served
3. Morning Psalm: 62
4. Breakfast Reading: Luke 5:1-11
5. Breakfast Discussion Topics:
News around the valley
Walk for
Jesus Christ
7:00
am, 4 April, 2015
Lolo
to Angler’s Roost Bridge
Community Aid
through Christian
1)
First venue:
a)
Bitterroot Valley Church of the Nazarene
2)
Churches of Correspondence
5. 52 Weeks to Preparedness by Tess
Pennington
Week
51 of 52: Home Defense
“If you can’t protect it, you don’t own it;” this popular
prepping phrase describes the mentality the unprepared have about you and your
preps. I’m not saying it’s fair that people could steal from you, but it’s a
reality, and a concern you should not take lightly. The fact is that crime
seems to escalate in the aftermath of a disaster; something we have seen with
many disasters, and as recently as Hurricane Isaac.
Over the last year, we have discussed how important it is
for security measures to be in place especially during and following a
wide-spread disaster. In an earlier newsletter written on the subject of
external security measures, I wrote, “a ‘bug in’ scenario may be our only
choice after a disaster strikes and we must prepare not only for our basic
needs, but also for our safety. Since the grid may be down following a
disaster, each household should prepare for crime.”
I realize there are some who believe a gun does not belong
in the home; and in all honesty, that is your God given choice; be that as it
may, if we are talking about protecting ourselves in a short-or long-term
disaster, then we have to assume that local emergency responders will not be as
readily available and crime could be a threat to our livelihood and well-being.
If that is the case, then a firearm should be as much a part of your
preparedness plan as having the coveted beans and Band-Aids. I don’t know about
you, but if someone kicked in my door, I know they aren’t looking for a cup of
sugar. Their motivation is purely to take something that you have or cause harm
to you or a family member, and you must assume the worst. Trying to communicate
with him or her will not do the trick if they are inside your home. On the
other hand, a rifle pointed directly at the intruder’s chest, however, would
make a very clear statement, wouldn’t it?
I would like to emphasize that a gun should never be in the
home of someone who does not know how to properly handle or understand gun
safety protocols; this is an accident waiting to happen. That said, if you plan
on owning and keeping a gun in the home, it is my recommendation that every
family member, including children learn the gun safety and handling rules.
Further, every time you pick up a firearm, you must assume that it is loaded.
Checking the magazine and gun chamber to make sure a bullet is not lodged is
going another step further in ensuring safety measures.
Lisa Bedford, the Survival Mom, also believes in teaching
her children about the importance of gun safety. In her article, “Two Things My
Kids Know about Gun Control,” she doesn’t want guns to be a mysterious
forbidden fruit. “After all, what is more alluring to a child?… So, our kids
have been taught how to shoot. Both have shot a thousand rounds or more from
their .22 rifles.” Lisa also recommends visiting the NRA website to use their
Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program which is available to individuals, schools, and
groups and priced affordably.
Lisa also has a great article geared toward women on the 23
Truths of Firearms you should consider reading.
Best Firearm for Children or First Time Users
So what’s the best all-around gun for the entire family? In
my humble opinion, the .22 rifle or .22 pistols are the best choices for first
time gun owners or for teaching children how to shoot. A great selling point of
this caliber is it has little to no recoil, and can be used in a multitude of
situations including home protection and used in hunting small game (and even
large game from a certain distance).
An added benefit is the ammunition is reasonably priced,
which means that a .22 can be an excellent practice rifle to learn basic rifle
shooting skills at a fraction of the cost of other rifles.
Best Firearm for Home Protection
My #1 choice for overall home protection is the shotgun.
Either a 12-gauge or the slightly smaller 20-gauge are excellent choices. In
the article, “An Introduction to SHTF Home Defense, Guns and Safety“, at
www.SHTF Plan.com, the author agrees with these sentiments and goes on to
suggest that the best all around shot gun to purchase is a 12-gauge.
“During my concealed weapons permit course, the instructor
said something to the effect of “for a home defense shotgun, you can pick any
gauge you want…as long as it is 12-gauge.”
First, 12-gauge shotguns offer a generous spread (i.e., you
don’t have to be that accurate) and/or stopping power, depending on the type of
ammunition of course. Second, 12-gauge
shells are BY FAR the most common and the easiest to find (compared to .410,
20-gauge, etc.) and often the least expensive. Wal-Mart (where I buy much of my
ammo) usually carries everything in 12-gauge from very light loads for hunting
birds and clay shooting to 00 buckshot and slugs.”
As far as what bullets to use, the author explains that 2 ¾
shells are the most common, and most shotguns can use them.
For a SHTF scenario, as opposed to home defense, 00 (‘double
ought’) buckshot, which is essentially 7-9 pellets (for a 2 ¾ shell) similar
in size to a 9 mm bullet, is probably the way to go, as it offers some spread
and SERIOUS stopping power, and decent range (maybe 50 yards or so). If you want more penetration (but no spread),
you may want to consider a rifled slug.
…BUT for home defense, 00 buck and slugs MAY not be the best
choice. One of the concerns with firing
at an intruder in your house is what happens to the bullet/pellet if you miss
the bad guy, or it goes through the bad guy? Some ballistics tests have
indicated that various types of buckshot can easily pass through several layers
of sheetrock because of the relatively high momentum of the projectiles.
Therefore, some experts recommend a lighter load if the
shotgun is intended only as a “under the bed” weapon. One commonly recommended load is No. 4
birdshot, which has a higher number of smaller pellets compared to 00
buck. While still offering ‘decent’
stopping power, it will spread a bit more than buckshot and really cut down the
possibility of injuring a family member in another room or a neighbor.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you can load your
shotgun with alternating rounds (e.g., #4 bird, slug, 00 buck, #4 bird, etc.)
just be sure to have the series memorized.
Two of the most popular, reliable and cost effective
shotguns available are the classic Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500. Both are
pump shotguns that have been tried and tested in real life situations with
excellent results.
Best Pistol for Home Defense
Pistols are another popular choice for home defense weapons.
Some of the most popular pistols to purchase are .9 mm, .40 cal., and .45 cal.,
which means that the ammunition is also widely available. In a situation where
ammunition becomes scarce, having one of these three calibers, especially 9mm
and .40 caliber, may allow you to use it as a medium of exchange to trade for
other goods. Likewise, it will be much easier to find than other ‘specialty’
ammunition.
Before you purchase a weapon for home defense, you want to
take into consideration:
The price of the firearm, magazine and ammunition
How much recoil it will have
Whether or not there is a safety mechanism on the firearm
What type of firearm offers up the highest capacity for
magazines
And of course, which firearm offers the most stopping power
9 mm firearms recoils the least, so it’s generally the
easiest of the three to stay on target after pulling the trigger, and usually
offers higher capacity magazines compared to the other two. 9 mm is usually the
least expensive of the three. A con to this type of firearm is it does have the
least stopping power.
.40 caliber firearms offers (in a defensive round) more stopping
power than 9 mm, but usually ‘snaps’ (or recoils) more than BOTH 9 mm AND .45.
Many law enforcement personnel have switched from 9mm semi-automatic handguns
to the .40 caliber in recent years because of the increased stopping power.
.45 caliber firearms offers the most stopping power but
you’ll generally have to sacrifice a few rounds of magazine capacity and a bit
a penetration (which might be a good thing depending on the situation).
Comparably speaking, between the three calibers discussed, there usually isn’t
that much of a price difference between the three calibers discussed, although
the .45 is the most expensive.
Handguns come in numerous price points ranging from $300 to
$1000, so there is certainly a good, reliable weapon out there for anyone who
needs to acquire one. The Beretta 92FS 9mm is a favorite in our family and has
been used by officers in the United States military since the early 1980’s.
Glocks in 9mm or .40 caliber are proven in the field as well. The 1911 model
.45 caliber is an excellent choice for those looking for more serious stopping
power and has been standard issue (M-45) for the Force Recon element of the
United States Marine Corp. since 1985.
Assault Rifles / Long Range Weapons
When discussing home defense preparedness we can’t ignore
the possibility of a total breakdown of law enforcement capability in our
immediate local region. In an event such as this we may be faced with multiple
attackers attempting to overtake our homes and land. While a shotgun or handgun
are both excellent close proximity defense weapons, they will not fare well at
longer distances. If you have a property with acreage that needs to be defended
you’ll want to seriously consider acquiring an assault rifle.
It would be quite difficult to neutralize a target at 100 –
200 yards with a handgun or shotgun, but for an assault rifle it becomes much
more feasible.
Like handguns, there are numerous choices available. Here
are a couple of excellent options we have found for our own personal defense.
One of the more popular “zombie weapons” out there is the
AR-15, made by multiple manufacturers and based on the military version of the
M-16. This rifle is chambered in 5.56mm x 45mm round, which is essentially a
.223 caliber (there are some special circumstances here, so do your research on
ammunition for this rifle if you choose to go with this model). The recoil on
an AR-15 is negligible compared to other assault rifles of higher caliber, so
it’s easier to control. It is highly customizable allowing operators to add
force multipliers that include after-market equipment like scopes,
magnification, night vision, flash lights, suppression, etc. Because of its
popularity, the AR-15 is fairly inexpensive with base models starting in the
$800 range. It’s also widespread in the United States, so parts are readily
available. So, too, is the ammunition (for now).
Most families will want to have the same weapons platform –
a his and hers model, so that you can share ammunition, after- market equipment
and parts. If one gun breaks, you can always use it for parts for your other
weapon. Buying two AR-15’s would run at least $1600 for basic models, so cost
may be an issue for some.
One alternative option for an excellent “SHTF weapon” is the
SKS. Somewhat similar to an AK-47, the SKS is chambered in a standard round of
7.62mm x 39mm. It is not as easily customizable as the AR-15, but as a
perimeter defense assault rifle can be just as effective in the right hands. At
a starting price point of around $350 it is an excellent choice for those on a
budget. There are numerous manufacturers of this weapon, all foreign and
originating from Russia, China and Yugoslavia. Certain models of this rifle
have been banned in some states (making it all the more desirable!), but they
are readily available for purchase online or at local gun shows.
For some, home defense also means being able to protect your
property at long range. While assault rifles are effective for a couple of
hundred yards, a long-range hunting weapon may be a better option for anything
exceeding 200 yards.
Like AR’s and handguns, you have lots of options. And like
AR’s and handguns, consider looking into a weapon that utilizes popular
ammunition. The .308 is one such caliber and is effective up to roughly 800
yards (though most of us would have a hard time hitting a target at that
range). In addition to being able to provide long-range, highly accurate
firepower and support, a 308 is an excellent hunting rifle. If society has broken
down, there’s a strong likelihood that food will become scarce, so you’ll want
to have a weapon with which you can hunt effectively.
Depending on your personal preference, you can consider
looking at a traditional bolt-action single shot 308, or going with an assault
rifle model like the Armalite AR-10 (used for guard duty by some military
personnel because they can stop oncoming vehicles) or the FN AR semi-automatic
308. A bolt action model can be had for $300 – $600 for basic models, and in
excess of $1000 for the semi-automatic rifles mentioned.
Magazines
In addition to the magazines that come standard with your
firearm – usually two – you’ll want to consider having some in reserve. You can
never have too many reserve mags, but stockpiling these can become expensive,
so consider having at least three primary magazines and one in reserve.
You can purchase “factory” mags that are manufactured by the
same company that made your firearm, or you can purchase after-market magazines
manufactured by a number of different companies. The factory magazines are
almost always more expensive, and for good reason. They will almost always
perform better than those manufactured by original equipment manufacturers. If
you have to purchase non-factory magazines, I strongly recommend that you read
multiple reviews from others who have tried them. You are depending on your
magazine to work to specifications 100% time. Failure can mean death, so it’s
in your interest to spend the extra money on the best magazines you can buy if
at all possible.
Different states have different laws regarding “high
capacity” magazines. In some states like California, magazines cannot hold more
than ten (10) rounds, while states like Texas have no restrictions. In recent
years federal legislation for high capacity magazine restrictions has been
introduced, which means at some time in the future owning a 17 round magazine
may be illegal in any part of the country. This, of course, poses a problem in
a situation where the rule of law breaks down and you are forced to defend
yourself against multiple targets.
One solution for those living in states where high capacity
magazines are illegal is to only keep parts on hand. Though I am not advocating
that you break or circumvent laws in your state, having parts or a parts kit,
as opposed to assembled magazines, may be one way to still be prepared for a
scenario where you could be threatened by multiple attackers and a higher
volume of firepower is required. If you are ever presented with the worst case,
you could re-assemble those parts.
Certain states, like California, also have laws that require
“fixed magazines” in rifles that cannot be removed with a simple push of the
magazine release. They require a special, external tool (like a screw driver)
to remove the magazine. This, of course, poses a serious problem when dealing
with an external threat. Though you’d never want to circumvent these laws, in a
situation where lawlessness reigns, having parts on hand to make necessary
modifications may be beneficial.
Note: Research pertinent laws in your state, as firearm
restrictions do vary. The better you understand the laws, the better equipped
you will be to make quick decisions when under great stress.
Ammunition
Over penetration in a home defense situation, IS a concern,
especially with Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) ammunition. A ‘nightstand’ pistol, in
any of the above calibers, with a defensive round, such as some sort of hollow
point, is STRONGLY recommended, as it increases stopping power significantly
and reduces the odds of injuring an innocent party.
Purchase a ‘defense’ type (e.g., hollow point) bullet (as
opposed to ‘ball’ or full metal jacket) in any of these three rounds provides
plenty of stopping power (Click here for a brief description of ammunition
types).
How much is enough? In all honesty, you can never have too
much ammunition. In a long-term emergency, you will want to have ammunition not
only for protecting your home, but for hunting purposes as well. Before we get
to a specific number, you need to take into account that you will also need a
few thousand rounds in reserve for target practice. At one target practice, one
person can easily blow through a few hundred rounds. Having a minimum of
500-1,000 rounds for each of your guns is a good starting point. If you can,
purchasing ammunition in bulk will be more economical, but purchasing a box of
ammunition every chance you get is alright too. Just stick to what is within
your budget!
For something like a .22 which can be used for hunting,
personal protection and target practice, you can stock even more especially
since it is so cheap. Additionally, take into consideration that purchasing
bulk ammunition for popular calibers will be a HUGE bartering item.
Practice
You can either panic when confronted with a life threatening
situation, or you can be like the security guard and act without hesitation to
thwart an assault by multiple armed assailants.
Put simply, having dependable accuracy when shooting is a
skill that takes practice and will depreciate over time if the skill goes
unused. Therefore, visit the target range regularly and take an assortment of
firearm training classes to maintain or improve your skill level. Courses such
as a hand gun class to teach you the right stance, grip, and how to position
your body to absorb the gun firing would be a great starting point for
beginners. Here is a map to find shooting ranges both indoor and outdoor in
your area. One more point I would like to make regarding practicing, is if you
or your home comes under attack for any given reason, you will be under a great
amount of stress and will need to feel comfortable with the firearm in your
hand. When you practice regularly, you become familiar with the gun and
subsequently develop muscle memory. If the time comes when you need to use a
firearm for defensive purposes, you will be confident in your abilities and
your firearm.
One other recommendation for those serious about improving
their skills is to attend simulations. Paintball and Airsoft battles add some
realism to your training, as you will be firing at live targets (and trying to
evade getting shot as well!). It will give you the ability to hone your skills
in environments that will be similar to the real thing. Simulated battles like
this will also allow you and your team to learn to work together in high
stress, high pace environments. What’s more, you can purchase your own
equipment and work together in learning how to defend your own property by
setting up simulated scenarios.
Body Armor
Here is the reality of it: If you are shooting down range or
shooting to protect your home there is a very strong possibility that someone
will be shooting back at you. This is especially true should the world as we
know it fall apart and you are forced to fend for yourself and defend your
family, your home and your supplies.
People are going to die when the bullets start flying. As
such, one of the absolute best investments you can make to reduce your chance
of serious injury or death is body armor. This includes a helmet, a vest to
protect your chest, neck protector, groin protector, and even side guards to
protect your ribs and vital organs.
As is the case with firearms, there are numerous options for
body armor. My advice is that you save your money and go with the absolute best
protection you can afford.
Here is a brief breakdown of the different levels of body
armor:
Type I (.22 LR; .380 ACP)
This armor protects against .22 long rifle lead round nose
(LR LRN) bullets. Type I body armor is light. This is the minimum level of
protection. (Note: In my opinion this is not going to cut it)
Type II-A (9mm; .40 S&W)
This armor protects against 9mm full metal jacketed round
nose (FMJ RN) bullets and .40 S&W caliber full metal jacketed (FMJ)
bullets. Type II-A body armor is well suited for full-time use by police
departments, particularly those seeking protection for their officers from
lower velocity 9mm and 40 S&W ammunition. (Note: It’ll stop a lower caliber
handgun, but that’s it)
Type II (9mm; .357 Magnum)
This is the next step up from Type II-A and is worn full
time by police officers seeking protection against higher velocity .357 Magnum
and 9mm ammunition. (Note: It’s good for lower velocity handguns, but that’s
about it)
Type III-A (High Velocity 9mm; .44 Magnum)
This armor protects against 9mm full metal jacketed round nose
(FJM RN) bullets and .44 Magnum jacketed hollow point (JHP) bullets. It also
provides protection against most handgun threats, as well as the Type I, II-A,
and II threats. Type III-A body armor provides the highest level of protection
currently available from concealable body armor and is generally suitable for
routine wear in many situations. (Note: For the prepper planning on worst case
scenarios my opinion is that this is the absolute minimum in body armor
protection)
Type III (Rifles)
This armor protects against 7.62mm full metal jacketed (FMJ)
bullets (U.S. military designation M80), with nominal masses of 9.6 g (148 gr),
impacting at a minimum velocity of 838 m/s (2750 ft/s) or less. It also
provides protection against Type I through III-A threats. Type III body armor
is clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants such
protection, such as barricade confrontations involving sporting rifles. (Note:
If you are in a situation where you are firing an assault rifle at the enemy,
they are probably doing the same. You’ll want at least this level of protection
for those situations.)
Type IV (Armor Piercing Rifle)
This armor protects against .30 caliber armor piercing (AP)
bullets (U.S. military designation M2 AP). It also provides at least single-hit
protection against the Type I through III threats. Type IV body armor provides
the highest level of protection currently available. Because this armor is
intended to resist “armor piercing” bullets, it often uses ceramic materials. Such
materials are brittle in nature and may provide only single-shot protection,
since the ceramic tends to break up when struck. As with Type III armor, Type
IV armor is clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat
warrants such protection. (Note: If you are digging in this is the body armor
you would want. It is expensive. It is also going to be heavier than other
types of protection. Combined with other gear you may be carrying when mobile,
the added weight with this body armor may require serious physical
conditioning. But, it will stop high power armor piercing rounds – something
other protection levels simply can’t do.)
Conclusion
The fact that we have the luxury of discussing this issue
means that the proverbial you-know-what has not hit fan. In reality, if we were
in the midst of a true shtf scenario, you wouldn’t care what firearm you had –
just as long as you had something to keep the bad guys at bay. We are lucky that
we still have time to research, practice and fine tune this pertinent skill, so
use this time wisely.
I leave you with this advice; do not be solely dependent on
a firearm for protection. As much as I value my firearm, I know that it can be
taken out of my hands and used against me. Learning of other forms of personal
protection such as hand-to-hand combat, krav maga, martial arts and other forms
to self-defense for last resort measures will only make you more capable of
protecting yourself, your loved ones and your preps.
Related Information:
National Rifle Association
Gun Laws State by State
Portions of this article have been inspired by An
Introduction to SHTF Home Defense, Guns and Safety written by Rick Blaine
Preps to Buy:
Purchasing guns and ammunition are some of the most
expensive items you will be adding to your preparedness supplies, so it’s
understandable if you can’t purchase all of these items in one week. Prioritize
what’s important and keep your needs in mind when buying items for
self-defense. You may need to stretch out these purchases over a longer amount
of time. Be sure to do your research on state regulations and considerations
for which type of firearm to purchase.
Firearm for home defense
Ammunition (500-1,000 rounds per firearm)
Extra magazines
Spare parts or kits
Gun cleaning kits
Ammunition storage case (waterproof)
Protective gear
(i.e., helmet, a vest to protect your chest, neck protector, groin protector,
and even side guards)
Gun enhancement equipment (i.e., scopes, magnification,
night vision, flash lights, suppression)
Action Items:
Check the pertinent laws in your state, as firearm
restrictions do vary.
You may want to consider going to a gun range that rents
firearms to test which equipment is best for you and your needs.
Take a hand gun course to familiarize with proper stances,
grips to gain better accuracy.
Consider taking a hand-to-hand self-defense class.
Minimize the threat of a home break in or home invasion by
adding layers of security to prevent your home from being a possible hit.
Designate a safe room in the home and talk with all family
members on proper protocols.
6. Closing - Round the Table
Individual Prayers
Upcoming Events:
26 Jan 2015 –
0700 – Push Back with Prayer Breakfast
2 Feb 2015 –
0700 – Push Back with Prayer Breakfast
7 Feb 2015 –
1000 – 72 Hour Kit Clinic
9 Feb 2015 –
0700 – Push Back with Prayer Breakfast
16 Feb 2015 –
0700 – Push Back with Prayer Breakfast
23 Feb 2015 –
0700 – Push Back with Prayer Breakfast
2 Mar 2015 –
0700 – Push Back with Prayer Breakfast
9 Mar 2015 –
0700 – Push Back with Prayer Breakfast
16 Mar 2015 –
0700 – Push Back with Prayer Breakfast
23 Mar 2015 –
0700 – Push Back with Prayer Breakfast
30 Mar 2015 –
0700 – Push Back with Prayer Breakfast
4 Apr 2015 –
0645 – March for Jesus Christ
Follow
the Fellowship of Christian Veterans:
On
the Web: http://cvbitterroot.blogspot.com/
On
Twitter: @Walk_April_4_15
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/military.bitterroot
