some considertaion of self protection

       We may or we may not have visions of an Amish life style, maybe the routine of the office or factory, or the meetings with fellow directors, seem good things to get away from . However we must see not what we are escaping from but what we are losing and what we are escaping to. look around and imagine all of life's little luxuries taken away, and once that delicious bread, I am thinking of a shop on my island here, once that bread has gone you may be on a diet of baked beans and pulses. and Green tea with sugar. for a long long time.
       But think also of the police no longer there. Now see the world breaking down into gangs, some who are ravaging for food, some who are ravaging simply for control. Or both. Do you want to be in the vicinity of the gang with the largest armoury?
          I live in Britain and the thought of every man and woman being trained in the use of firearms sends a chill up my spine. It seems ridiculous, against all common sense in a society where sane rational people live and mix with each other. As though we are all paranoid. 
           However recent thinking shows that society is not very rational and as the United States seems to be going towards the path of anarchy, once social conditions get only marginally worse than they are now, one has to think what a post apocalyptic society will be like. 
          I assume you have fled any  urban environment, and are living in relative seclusion. Either alone or with a small group. Sadly you have food and yet, many millions are starving. Not only that even the wildlife is hungry as the food chain is broken and it may take years for it to recover. 
       So, if I lived in the States under these conditions my own course of actions would be the following. Get these  weapons, learn how to use them how not to shoot people, or yourself, and then when you are trained put them away and forget about them and pray they will never be brought out.


        So, what would I have for protection?
I always go over the top in most things so, get a pump action shot gun. Or two. And my own view is opposed to  John Moore here, not thirty rounds of ammunition, but one hundred rounds of ammunition--per weapon. Or more!!


           Then I would have one or even two assault rifles. And maybe a smaller calibre weapon, 2.2 say, again maybe two of them.


              As for handguns, I would go for pistols, large calibre, and maybe have three of them. I am no expert here, and have no desire to be, but others may teach you what is best.
as for the pistols, place them strategically around the house or property, so only you know where they are. And carry one always on your person


               Now all you need do is keep an eye open for gangs, police who think they still have authority, army people who also think they have authority. In post apocalyptic days, there will be no law enforcement  as know it, only by mutual consent it and should always  be  this way. 
              You are the boss, you and your group, so you should plan for this. Get away from towns however small, get at least a hundred miles from cities, and keep silent. Don't advertise your presence. It will take years to sort itself out, maybe even a century. Much that is bad may happen in that time , you don't want to be a  part of it.