re: #44 ProBosniaLiberal

A repeater like this. And if I go down that method of self-defense, I will make sure to get the proper training, and to keep sharp.

However, doing any of this will require me finding non-crazy places for all steps.

But I am still legitimately frightened by the increasingly hateful right-wing. Afraid they will snap and go do horrific things.

ok. First, I’m going to endorse A Mom Anon’s comment.

Second I’ll briefly mention that I’m experienced pointy end military and have a bit of experience teaching self defense. My default instruction is: avoid, evade, engage. That is: stay away from the problem, if you can’t stay away get away from it, and only if you can’t get away do you fight — and only then till you can get away.

With that in mind I’m going to suggest you’re planning wrong. Here’s the big thing to lock into your mind: if you’re only facing one other armed person it’s pretty close to 50-50 who dies. If you’re facing a bunch of mad-men all by yourself, you’re going to die.

Whether it’s a few right-wingers going nuts in riot or it’s a full out push to secede, you’re going to be outnumbered. Your best planning is not how to fight but how to run. How to know when to run, where to go, how to get there without being caught.

In that case a rifle is worthless. So is a shotgun. If you must carry it should be a concealable weapon - take appropriate training and practice. Personally, every exercise I’ve run comes up with the same results: almost everyone carrying winds up deciding to use it and dies. Almost everyone not carrying ratchets up the paranoia and gets away. There are and will be exceptions, but guns are almost as bad as alcohol about instilling an unjustified courage. I own, I practice, and yet if the situation you describe happens I’ll probably run unarmed. Just something to think about.