Hugh,
I am now a senior citizen of 66 with a 56 year old wife. I’m a former Vietnam era infantry platoon leader, infantry OCS at Fort Benning, and Ranger trained.
I had sworn never to again carry a firearm after I left the service. However, recent events in my upscale suburb of Cleveland, Ohio caused me to rethink my promise. We have had two break-ins in the area from gangbangers out of the city seeking goods to trade for drugs. Recently two girl-cashiers were killed during an armed robbery of a gas station four miles away. Also, very recently, our local pharmacy was robbed by armed men from Detroit. Finally, my wife and others were threatened by a drug gang in nearby Elyria, Ohio when they attempted to persuade witnesses to testify against a gang member who had murdered a distant family member of ours. We are now both concealed carry permit holders, with the complete encouragement of the county sheriff’s office, I might add.
My point is that the economic disruption that you mentioned would lead to increased violence is already beginning, based on the disasterous and, in my opinion, intentional efforts of this President to destroy us. It is already very real to us in what was, until quite recently, a suburb where no one ever locked their doors. I fully expect conditions to become worse as the Affordable Care Act further degrades our economy and the Fed continues to devalue our currency by printing money. The apocalypse may well be evolutionary, creeping up on us gradually while we wait for an apocalyptic event to occur.
As an Ohioan, with my own business rooted to northeast Ohio, it would be very difficult for me to leave the state and bug out early. There is virtually no bug out location 200-300 miles away from a major city. Ideally, I would love to move to Idaho where my friends live on top of a mountain, very defendable, in Orofino. Also, as an Ohioan, the ability to leave by vehicle in advance of a cataclysm is more limited, since I would need to pass through heavily-populated areas.
Any suggestions for Ohio?
Hugh Replies: You are right in seeing that the population density is the major barrier to survivability in Ohio. However, I have several friends who live in the area, and they have similar plans that involve staying in place unless forced to move. Given that moving isn’t a reality, your best bet is to stay “grey” in regards to your preps, but to be involved in the local community and develop relationships with those in your neighborhood. You will not be able to survive as an island on your own. You need defensible space around you, and you need the community. Make sure that you have a plan B so that you don’t end up as a refugee.