I have been doing a bit of thinking about the actual ability to carry a long gun if bugging out on foot, and the possible necessity to conceal it. My rifle can be taken down to easily fit in a standard backpack or satchel. I don’t plan to bug out on a whim, as my apartment is still quite defensible (perhaps even more so than an equivalent suburban house, save for the increased number of people close by), but the possibility of combinations of external factors forcing me out still exists.
I have reasoned there would be two primary factors that would make someone actually walk to a BO location.
1) Vehicle travel is not possible (EMP attack, martial law making vehicle traffic illegal, my vehicle is wrecked / vandalized / stolen, etc). While my vehicle is still much more capable than most for getting from a given Point A to another Point B through various obstacle, for whatever reason, driving to any of my BO locations is either not possible or not worth trying.
2) The situation is bad enough that I feel the risk of walking a few to dozens of miles is outweighed by the risk of staying. This might include running out of supplies over an extended SHTF event (EMP attack, heavy infrastructural breakdown, etc), or other very serious threats like MZBs, extreme rioting, etc.
And, if only one the first condition is met, then I wouldn’t need to bug out anyways. If only the second is met, then I could simply drive away, not having to worry about concealing my weapons. However, I think it’s reasonable that if these two criteria are met, then a guy on foot with a rifle (or gun case) over his shoulder would be the least of everyone’s worries, no? On top of that, stealth would be a primary focus, so its not like you’d be tramping down the middle of the street with your AR in hand.
Though, there is still some concern. What if, for example, only the first criteria is met (no vehicle traffic, but no real physical threats around), but some idiot sets tour building on fire and I am then forced to leave on foot to a friend or close family member’s house? Or what if, nearby, there is some deathly chemical, biological, or nuclear industrial accident, perhaps contaminating the local water supply? Say, then, some evacuation is ordered and the military is escorting a march out of the city or is carrying people on deuce-and-a-halfs? If relative order is maintained, would I be hassled for carrying a gun case? I’d like to think not, but history tells us it wouldn’t be a surprise for our government to give orders to pacify any “potential threat.” Of course this means anyone with a gun, no matter how non-threatening he may actually be.
Given these concerns, do you guys think it is necessary to retain the ability to deeply conceal a long gun? Compared to the relative improbability of any of these cases we talk about, how probable would it be that such a dire event would be one that requires such deep concealment?
Ah, I forgot about that. A hard case would be clumsy, but a soft case would not be much different than a soft gun case. Plus, in the case where an orchestrated evacuation was taking place, perhaps some agility could be sacrificed, especially in the name of a powerful long gun.
If you can hack the limiting factors and inherent design flaws in the need for concealability, the KelTec Sub2000 would shine here. Pistol caliber but with a somewhat greater barrel length and sight radius would give better accuracy out to 50 or 75 yards.
With a deep pack or another non-guncase bag, the somewhat longer KelTec SU-16 is a better choice - .223Rem caliber with real sights and scope not getting in the way of folding.
In my case, I can partly disassemble my Bushmaster M17S Bullpup and stuff into a rectangular bag that doesn't scream "GUN!". It would take a couple minutes to reassemble, but gives me AR15 level firepower and accuracy.
Fits easily on my motorcycle cargo rack too, under my BOB pack.
An M1 Carbine with folding stock would fit into a non-gunbag too.
I would avoid any contact with 'authorities' during such an event - they WILL confiscate all firearms - SOP for them. Just look at Katrina.
Wouldn't a guitar case look a little odd in a SHTF situation??? I mean, it's not like when all hell is breaking loose that anybody is going to brave the bullets in the streets to play a gig. I would think that it would stick out like a sore thumb.
Think about Iraq right now..if an insurgent was to walk towards a checkpoint with a guitar case strapped to his back they probably wouldn't let him get too awful close! (not that there is an abundance of rockin' Arabs, but you get my drift)
Maybe rig up a fake leg brace with lots of straps and covering material that you could fit a rifle into next to your leg. Add a couple of crutches and presto! Instant injured SHTF victim! Someone on crutches with a full leg brace would raise very little suspicion and noone would ever expect that you have a full-length rifle on your person.
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When they come for my guns, I'll give 'em the bullets first!
Hmm good point. I was wondering about that (looking odd), and when you put it like that it makes a lot of sense! Though, I think in the States they would assume I was just some stupid kid who loved his guitar.
Most of today's Sheeple would take NO notice of a guitar case. As we learned way back in Security training, people NEVER look UP, and they take no notice of anything not an obvious threat.
Now, an LEO will be different - they are trained to look at anything that can be used to conceal things.
So, avoid groups with any authorities in the area. The basic FEMA and Red Cross drones likely would take no notice though. But they will try to keep you with the herd.
Yeah Im mostly concerned about people of some authority. I would indeed intend to stay away from them as best as possible, but... gah I need to stop worrying about all these "what ifs," hah.
The best defense is to not look like someone they don't want to be carrying around firearms!
Hate to admit it, but most people in authority are a conservative bunch. If you have face piercings, a red mohawk and are wearing clothing with 15 pounds of buckles on it, they aren't going to give you much slack. Outward appearance is your first impression.
Around here, if you had sandals and a guitar case, no one would give you a second look =)
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I take my coffee how I take my women: bitter and overbearing.
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