Letter Re: Selecting and Storing Bargain Barter Items

As Mr. Haney (Pat Buttram) from the television show Green Acres would say, “Have I got a deal for you!” In the spirit of Mr. Haney, I’ve come up with some good barter items. To make the list, the items have to be fairly light, extremely useful, practical, and cheap to buy, now! The items have to fit, and be able to be stored in six gallon plastic pails with a water proof seal. The items also must be available in large quantities now, to get the most for my money and be easily accessible now, at a low cost – yet become very valuable when the Schumer hits the fan. Few barter items can fit Mr. Haney’s criteria, but some items will pass the test.

#1 Matches. Most boxes [of paper matches] contain 50 books with 20 matches per booklet, at about 200 per box. That’s 1,000 lights, right? Wrong! It’s actually double that at 2,000 because with a little care, each match can be split in two. It takes about 4-5 seconds to split a paper match, and I haven’t ruined any in my scores of attempts. During the war in Bosnia, matches were on the list of things that disappeared first. One six gallon pail holds 24 boxes, if left in packages. That’s 48,000 lights!

#2 Seeds. I would fill the second pail with seeds. The type of seeds is a personal preference, but heirlooms seeds are preferred, though more costly. You can give your customer 2 choices: some seeds in packets that are heirloom seeds, and some that are from any store. Over a million seeds can fit in a six gallon pail, and seeds may very well become just as valuable as ammo, but are a lot lighter with a higher quantity able to fit in the same size pail.

#3 Sugar. For your own stock, just pour 25 pound bags into six gallon buckets. For [incremental] barter though, large wholesale food stores like COSTCO have sugar packets with a quantity of 2,000 per box. A six gallon pail holds more than two boxes; and sugar keeps a long, long time. That’s approximately 5,000 individual servings that are pre-packaged, and will last a very long time.

#4 Magnifying glasses. Magnifying glasses are very cheap if you shop around. They are easy to store and are a great reading tool for fine print or serial numbers, can be used as a fire starter and can be used for medical purposes and close examination such as, to aid in splinter removal or to see a mote in someone’s eye. When buying in quantity, you should pay between $1 and $1.50 per pair. This barter item will be excellent in the worse case scenario.

$5 Can Openers. A can-opener will come in very handy for those who can no longer use their electricity. Using a knife as a substitute is not worth the risk of injury to group members which can create another problem (stitches, infections, etc.). Can openers are cheap and can be purchased for as low as .39 cents for a military P-38 style, or $1.99 for a more elaborate one.
There are many other items one could focus on to establish the beginning of your trading post. But Mr. Haney’s five items listed above will wind up being the most popular and meeting some very important needs for his friends and community. The items I’ve listed are light, cheap, easy to store, easily obtainable now in large quantities and will be in high demand later. I’ve left out ammo on purpose because it is more expensive and heavier, and most likely (hopefully) you should already have ammo as a priority.

Letter Re: Pre-Paying Utility Companies in Anticipation of Worsening Banking Disruptions?

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Rawles,
Thank you for your excellent blog. My husband and I are benefiting tremendously from the hard work you have put in to this valuable resource.

My question: With banking integrity a growing uncertainty, would it be prudent to devote our rather limited capital to build up a credit balance with our utility providers (water, electric and natural gas) in anticipation of possible interruptions in bank transactions? We do have modest contingency back-up systems for all three supplies but as long as the grid holds up we will use the utilities.
Sincerely, – Mrs. T. from Idaho

JWR Replies: I do not recommend pre-paying utilities, at least not under the current circumstances. By pre-paying the utilities, you are effectively giving them an interest-free loan. For the sake of flexibility, you are far better off setting aside an equivalent amount in greenback cash. This is what is commonly called “mattress money”. (But you’ll need a much safer place for it. (See my “Through the Looking Glass” wall cache post from August, 2007 for detailed recommendations on constructing hidden caches in your home.)

With greenback cash on hand, you will still be able to make payments directly at the utility offices, or of course simply mail them money orders. Even in the event of a major banking crisis (complete with bank closures or perhaps even a national “banking holiday”), money orders will likely still be available from the US Postal Service and from drugs stores or convenience stores, and will still be accepted in payment.

If the economic situation deteriorates–for example if inflation jumps to double digits (or more), and the postal service becomes unreliable, then that is the time to consider pre-paying your utility bills and perhaps even pre-paying your property taxes.

Letter Re: Life Imitates Art–Moscow, Idaho Style

Dear Mr. Rawles,
When the President announced the first $700 Billion bailout I had the pleasure of being in Chicago at a business conference. The next day I flew home into Moscow/Pullman regional airport and couldn’t help but think about the first chapter of “Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse”. The timing was a little ironic.

Thank you for all the work you do. Regards, – The Hellion of Troy

Odds ‘n Sods:

KAF sent us this: World’s First Nuclear Bunker Turned Zero-Star Hotel Opens in Switzerland

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In a recent e-mail, SF in Hawaii mentioned: “I do not think that the bank rating agencies will adjust their ratings fast enough to tell when you should get your money out of a bank. Instead, watch the bank’s stock price.” That is good advice.

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Whenever someone wants to advertise a book on SurvivalBlog, I insist on reading it before I accept the ad. Most recently, this gave me the opportunity to read Jerry Robinson’s new book “Surviving Financial Chaos“. It as excellent. I think that this is the ideal book to put in the hands of your friends, neighbors and relatives that are not convinced that they need to prepare. Robinson’s book does a great job of both explaining te background of our nations economic predicament and describing what families need to do, to prepare.

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Jean sent us this Daily Mail headline:: ‘We must stand together’: Bush warns countries not to turn against each other as they battle to ease the financial crisis

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Here is the latest economic gloomage from Cheryl: IMF Warns Of Global Financial Meltdown — Panic Selling Wipes $5 Trillion Off World Shares — Morgan Stanley and Goldman Dive On Downgrade Fear — Morgan Stanley Loses Another $20 Billion — Fannie/Freddie To Buy $40 Billion A Month Of Troubled Assets —White House Says Markets Will Not Be Shut Down — GM/Chrysler In Merger Talks — What The Financial Crisis Means For You

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep, whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I beseech thee to defend me from all perils of body and soul….
Increase my faith in the sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, and direct my thoughts unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run in the ways of thy commandments; make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties, the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life bless my family, friends, and kindred.” – George Washington (Undated prayer from Washington’s prayer journal, Mount Vernon)

Notes from JWR:

The high bid in the SurvivalBlog Benefit Auction is now at $770. The auction for a large mixed lot that includes: A Special Mixed Vegetable Case-Six #10 Dehydrated Food Cans (Retail Price $105.95) This special Mixed Vegetable Case contains six #10 (96-ounce) cans–one can of each of the following: Mixed Vegetable Blend, Green Beans, Sweet Garden Peas, Mixed Peppers, Potato Dices, and Sweet Potatoes and a EZ-Towels 10 Pack Combo (10 bags of 50 towels. Retail value: $99.95). These items were donated by Jan at Healthy Harvest Foods. An assortment of world class loose leaf teas, and a box of Bellagio hot chocolate (25 individual packs), with a combined value of approximately $100. These items were courtesy of Charlie at CMEBrew.com. A NukAlert radiation detector (a $160 value), donated by at KI4U.com. And, a Katadyn VARIO water filter, donated by Ready Made Resources. (An $89 retail value.) The auction ends on Monday October 15, 2008. Please e-mail us your bid.

Today we present another entry for Round 19 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The contest prizes include:

First Prize: The writer of the best contributed article in the next 60 days will be awarded two transferable Front Sight  “Gray” Four Day Training Course Certificates. This is an up to $4,000 value!
Second Prize: A three day course certificate from OnPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses.
Third Prize: A copy of my “Rawles Gets You Ready” preparedness course, from Arbogast Publishing

Round 19 ends on November 30th, so get busy writing and e-mail us your entries. Remember that articles that relate practical “how to” skills for survival will have an advantage in the judging.

Prepping: A Labor of Love, by Sparky

My preparedness journey began when my mother in law was dying, and we had to get out of the house for a while. At a flea market, on the bottom shelf, was a book titled “Making the Best of Basics”. The cover caught my attention, and before we went home that night, I had read and re-read the book. I am a union electrician, subject to layoffs, and my husband is a self-employed painter. The idea that I needed to prepare came easy for me. I thought I had done well, always buying extra for the pantry. But water? Oops. I hadn’t thought about that one. So, I started doing the things in the book, and my mind was always going, and the lists got longer.

When I started to realize that I had a lot to do, I shared my thoughts with my best friend. Instead of laughing, she got on board. We discussed my home as the retreat. Although it doesn’t fit every need, it has a lot to offer. We are on a gravel, lightly populated road, about 20 minutes from a medium city. We have a well, and two acres. Our home has a basement, where we are working to get things organized. We know most of our neighbors, and have a community here. One neighbor plows our drive when it snows, and has for two years now. We treat him to his favorite brew on occasion to thank him, and I have even taken him a bowl of hot soup when he arrives.

Worst case scenario, we could have as many as 30 family members here, with varied skills, but it is a momentous task to try to prepare for that many people.
Last spring, my friend and I built raised garden beds that are still producing. We used recycled bleachers for the boxes, old shelving and other “trash” for the trellises. An old hog waterer with the waterer cut out, set in the ground at the proper angle, with a double pane window on it, became a cold frame. We also have the supplies to expand the garden next year. It is actually a very pretty garden!
I have dried tomatoes, onions, cabbage, apples, mushrooms, eggs, plums; canned anything that I had time to, and jellied, with new recipes for dandelion jelly, zucchini jam, and cantaloupe jam. My three garage sale dehydrators run most of the time. I have studied new and old methods of drying. I keep sodium metabisulfite, but also use the older method of using salt and vinegar rinses to preserve color. I have learned a lot, and my family is scrounging for jars for me. The supply is dried up here, mostly due to the awakening of some of the sheeple.

After consideration of a generator, it was decided that the best route for us was to just ready ourselves to be off grid. Second-hand shops have provided hank crank blenders, food processors, meat grinders, and other kitchen helpers. A friend helped build an Amish [summer canning] kitchen from some table legs, wood, and a Freecycled propane cooktop. One plus to this that we didn’t consider—the stove is lower in height, which is helpful when working with canners. One thing that we did consider—a hundred gallons of propane will work this stove, or the propane stove in the kitchen, for a year and a half. A couple of extra tanks are on the list to obtain! By putting the cooktop outside, we don’t heat the house up, which now helps the air conditioning bill, and will definitely help later, when it is just hot, and there is no air conditioning. We can also use it in the barn or basement if the weather necessitates. We also have propane heaters, and for emergencies, canned heat. (The latter is a 1-quart steel paint can, with a roll of toilet paper with cardboard liner removed, 16 ounces of alcohol. Directions for making these can be found on the LDS preparedness sites [such as www.ProvidentLiving.org.].)

We have been learning to save our own seeds, and I have been studying some animal husbandry, expecting to get some small livestock. We also have laid in a supply of sprouting seeds, and use them.
I now store water, and using the PACE system means that we have several means of getting more. For now the well is primary, the hand pump is alternate, the stored water is contingent, and the rain water, pond water, etc. would be the emergency. However, we also have our eyes on a pump that would be inline, and pressurize the tank. This will happen soon if things hold out a while! Although I store drinking water, I also started saving detergent bottles for non-potable water. I don’t even rinse them. When we are without water, and have dishes or laundry to do, those bottles will work perfectly, even offering up the remnants of the soaps in them.

Solar and human generated power are ideas that I am investigating, and if time permits, we should have minimal power, with minimal outlay. I hope that my electrical abilities will help here! Several years ago I installed some solar powered flood lights on my parents’ home, and now plan to put some both on and in my home. I do understand that during the probable turmoil, their use would be limited to avoid the target on our backs. However, eventually things will settle, and they would be of great use. By eliminating the motion sensor and photo-eye, and direct-wiring a switch, these lights could work in the house as well, and would need only a path for the solar cell wire, i.e. through a window. This would be fine as a temporary fix until more permanent work could be done.
I was able to find a supplier locally for wheat, where I am the only customer. Not only do I grind flour, making our own breads when time permits, but we sprout it for both us and our dogs. Incidentally, our older dog was having some health issues, and I started adding sprouts to the dog food. Within a couple of weeks, he was acting like a puppy, and his chronic halitosis had vanished.
I also found a neighbor who grows corn, who took my order for about 10 bushel, when the moisture content is down and we can store it. Guess some cornbread with all those beans would be a welcome thought.

I found an article for a vacuum pump, which is worth sharing. I had seen build-it-yourself pumps, but with all the preps, building one was not in the time allotment. However, you can go to your local auto store, and get a brake bleeder, with a gauge and several attachments, very reasonably. I obtained the mason jar sealers, and now seal all my dehydrated foods with vacuum on them. Just put the conical end on the bleeder, press it into the jar attachment, and pump away. When you remove the pump, the jar seals. A mason jar will hold 20 inches (Hg) of vacuum, which, by the way, will collapse a five gallon bucket. Don’t ask me how I know. Seal your buckets with a little less vacuum!

My friend and her mom got on board early, and are both also prepping. We are in the process of getting a community inventory, so we know what we all need to work on. My mother was supportive, but not overly helpful until this month. Along with jars, tins, and the usual things on my list from garage sales, she has started getting winter clothes, socks, etc. She also gave me a nice check to help with whatever we need, and pledged to give more. My husband has become more supportive as the economy teeters, and is also now actively engaged in the OPSEC end of our needs.

Our children are like most kids, struggling to survive. However, they also pick up an extra bag of rice or can of beans when they can, and send it. I have given them ideas on putting things away when you can barely afford to eat. Every week, get at least one item. Even on a bad week, you can afford a box of salt, rice, beans, pudding, or a can of milk. They also know (thanks to SurvivalBlog) what they need to look for, and when to get headed home.

If you had told me 10 months ago how very many hours I could find in a day, week, or month, to do all these things, I would have laughed. Now I look at the garden, and see not only hours spent with my best friend, laughing as she learned to use a drill, but the many meals we ate, and will still eat, from our bleacher boxes. I walk to the basement, and see the supplies there. I see the full jars of home processed foods, and enjoy just looking at the fruits of my labor. I see the first aid box, and the many other medical supplies, and feel some peace. I look in the closet in my office, and find sleeping bags, blankets, and other items to help out family when they are forced here.

I don’t throw anything out any more, without asking myself if it has another purpose. My family has lists of things that they are to watch for, and I often come home from visits with the car full of goodies.
Remember, having all your supplies means nothing if you don’t know how to use them. Eat wheat, sprout seeds, grow a garden, learn to use the canners, and lay in a supply of jars and lids. Learn to cook with your essentials, stay warm with less heat, and amuse yourself without television.

Are we ready? Not by a long shot! The more I know, the more I know that I don’t know! But knowledge is power, and I do know that when things happen, I am much more prepared that most, and we have a plan. Your blog site has been invaluable, and as times become more unpredictable, you are the first thing I check when I log on. Although I struggle with the fears of not having enough done, I know that we will not panic. What we have begun is a new way of life that takes what we have today, and builds on it for tomorrow. Lists will be filled, and peace grows. God is good, and gives us much. It is our responsibility to use it wisely. He can only guide our steps if we start walking. Then we have to count on Him to take care of the things we can’t. Thanks again for what you do! Sparky

Odds ‘n Sods:

Reader “Mongoose” in the UK and Mark S. both sent us this: Iceland and the UK square off in a strange new financial Cold War

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Numerous budget shortfalls around the nation: States That Can’t Pay for Themselves.

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Katya sent us these links for your weekend reading displeasure: Iceland Teeters On Edge Of Economic Collapse; Banking Woes Spread Across Europe — Councils fear for Icelandic cash — Banking on gold.. And then Cheryl (our Economic Editor) sent all these: Wall Street Ends Worst Week Ever With Wild Trading — Dow’s Worst Week Comes To An End (Total Decline For Week 2400 Points, 22.1% Loss, Worst Ever) — Oil Falls To 13-month Low As Investors Grow More Pessimistic — European Markets Slump Further — Morgan Stanley Drops Into Single Digits — Morgan Stanley Credit Rating May Be Cut — Global Stock Selloff — Companies Hardest Hit By Credit Crisis — London: Worst Ever Opening As Markets Slide — Asian Stocks Plunge Again; Crisis Deepens — UK Prepares For Mass Unemployment — FDIC Insurance Not A Sure Thing — Global Auto Market May Collapse In 2009 — US Mint: Unprecedented Demand For Gold Eagles — Bush Forced Into Diminished Role In Economic Crisis — Fed Lends Record $431 Billion as of Wednesday — Potential Economic Seizure Dead Ahead — Central Banks Panic As Bailouts Fail To Halt Stock Market Crash — Gold Ready To Skyrocket? — GE’s Profits Drop 22% — G-7 Meets on Crisis as Italy Splits Over `Weak’ Draft — Dow Average May Be Poised To Fall To 7,000 — Berlusconi Reverses Claim Re Closing World Markets — US To Buy Stake In Banks

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Eric flagged this one: Plug-In Hybrids Aren’t Coming — They’re Here

Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“University of Maryland economist Herman E. Daly points out that the current crisis is really one of the “overgrowth of financial assets relative to growth of real wealth.” Daly believes that “financial assets have grown by a large multiple of the real economy” and that “paper exchanging for paper is now 20 times greater than exchanges of paper for real commodities.” Exploding debt liens have simply outgrown the wealth. The problem, in other words, cannot be bailed out. Historically, debt that cannot be redeemed has been repealed by inflation. The same inflation that wipes out debt will wipe out savings.” – Former Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Paul Craig Roberts, in Can a Bailout Succeed?

Letter Re: Everyday Carry Pocketknife Recommendation?

Mr. Rawles:
I’ve seen your recommendations on guns for survival situations, but what do recommend for “Everyday Carry” kinda pocket knives? And what do you carry personally? Thanks, – H.Y.

JWR Replies: My general preference is for “low-end” stainless steel folding knives with a positive lock, and with tanto-style tips. In my experience tantos are less prone to getting broken tips. For versatility, I also tend toward knives that are serrated in the back half of the blade. (Commonly called “50/50” or “half-serrated”.) My everyday carry knife is an extra large (5″ blade) Cold Steel 29 XTH Voyager. On occasions when I need something smaller, I carry a CRKT M16 with a 2.75-inch blade. Again, it is stainless, half serrated, and has tanto style tip. During deer and elk season, a I substitute a Case clip-point folder.

It is noteworthy that I’ve never spent more than $55 for one of my pocketknives–and far less for most. (I buy a lot of used knives at gun shows and on eBay. Why pay full retail?) My philosophy is that a knife is is an everyday tool to use, not an object of art to admire. If I owned a really nice custom knife, then I’d probably baby it, fearing that I might somehow damage it. And if I were to lose it out in the field, a $300+ Chris Reeve folder, it would be a heartbreaking experience. But by buying mass-produced knives, I avoid both of those issues. I don’t abuse my knifes, but I don’t shy away from giving them honest, hard use. I’d also much rather own six $50 knives than one $300 knife. That fits with the SurvivalBlog preparedness philosophy of “two is one, and one is none.”

OBTW, when shopping for used pocketknives, one trick I’ve discovered to use when searching eBay is to search on the desired brand name AND knives AND TSA, by searching both titles and descriptions (or alternatively, the desired brand name AND knives AND confiscated. These searches will show you lots of used knives that were confiscated by airport screeners. These are often name brand knives sold in groups of 2 to 10, typically resulting with winning bids between 10% to 30% of normal retail.

How to Buy in Quantity When on a Tight Budget, by Robert in Arizona

Let me start out, with the simple fact that we all need to prepare. And with that in mind, you must have asked yourself a million times, how can I achieve my goals for survival and food preparedness for my family on a very low or tight budget?
Well the answer is simpler than you think!
Think thrifty. Yes, thrift stores and Mom and Pop outlets are a true blessing in disguise.
All of the things you might want to buy for home canning, food prep, food storage, Camping, Cooking, Clothes, Boots, Sleeping bags, etc. can be found right under your nose in these stores.

When you are there, make sure you get to know the employees, this will give you the upper edge to a bargaining Bonanza, as I have done with all of my local stores and shops, and you also want to make sure you keep the donations coming into them as well! Just by cleaning out all of your unwanted items in your closet and garage. Also, when certain employees help you, return the favor somehow. Believe me they will always remember you, and they give you the best deals each and every time you return to their store. They will actually place stuff that you are looking for and want, in the back of the store and hold it there for you, until your next visit. This saves you the time and money and the trouble and hassle of buying the items new. And, well over a 75% savings from retail prices.You can even write out lists of items that you are looking for, for each shop, and still keep a low profile to your activities.

Here are some examples of the different things I have requested from and purchased:
If you notice I request different items from different stores, depending on what they stock and there inventories. (This will keep your profile low, because, when they are purchased at different locations it doesn’t raise eyebrows!)

Store #1. Golden Valley Swap Meet, and Rummage sale, (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) State Rte. 68, Golden Valley, Arizona. There are a lot of old timers here, willing to barter, trade, and give you an old time lesson on everyday things we take for granted. The shops range from household items to clothes, homemade candles and lanterns, canning goods, including fresh Honey and salsa’s that are hand canned. made from peppers and honey from farms in Arizona. There are also gold prospecting tools, old and modern tools, and clothes.

Store #2. Salvation Army , Bullhead City, Arizona 86442 , Located on Palma Drive, this store caters to the Homeless so they get a lot of fishing, camping gear, to include backpacks, stoves, lanterns, mess kits, canteens, duffel bags, backpacks, sometimes even military rucksacks, water filters, home filters, chlorine powder, heavy winter clothes, boots.

Store #3.Treasure Island Thrift Shop, Bullhead City, Arizona. Only caters in factory seconds, and Auctioned New Items. This is where I purchase Food Saver [vacuum packaging] equipment and food dryer racks. I also scored on 16 brand new mercury thermometers, for two-for-$1 and three brand new Camelbak 1-liter hydration bladders for $5 each.

Store #4. Dave & Fran DePuy, Auctioneers, 551 Christy Plaza Kingman, Arizona. 86409, lots of cool stuff almost each and every weekend, 55 gallon water drums new for $5 each. propane tanks for $1, to $5, chain saw for $10, every week it’s a bargain for lots of stiff, I have even bought beyond my personal needs and resold the extra items on eBay and Craig’s List to recoup some cash, and sometimes even made a profit.

Store #5.Marina Thrift Store, Marina Blvd., Bullhead City, Arizona. Since construction went belly up in Mohave county, the thrift stores are overwhelmed with construction tools, paint, nuts bolts. Thousands of items for pennies on the dollar. I picked up a $50 framing hammer for $4 there, as well as two kegs of nails for $10 per keg.

Store #6. Freedom Military Surplus, Mesa, Arizona, it’s not local and is a drive for me, but the deals are fabulous, and worth the trip, every time I go there–roughly once a month, to see what is new there, last trip I scored on US military Gas masks with a 2007 date, new in the box for $25 each mask with two filters.

Store #7.Palace Pawn Shop, Bullhead City, Arizona , simply the best for my two-way, MURS, CB, GPS and other communication needs. Pawn shops are the best, and the cost is 1/3 of the new store prices. last week I picked up a Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx for $100 bucks out the door, and it was brand new in the box. These are normally $329 in the big stores. This saved me $229 plus tax!)

I have purchased many duplicate items, for trade, barter and for my family.
Goodwill and the Salvation Army are two of the best stores and they cater to the locals, and will give you great deals, and you can feel confident that your purchase dollars are going right back into the community to help people and families that are less fortunate than you or I.

As it has helped me to be more frugal and cost minded when I shop, especially for bulk food items at the “big” warehouse stores. And the savings have offset my budget to be able to stock up on more Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids!

So in closing, you do not always need to buy the newest, biggest, and top of the line stuff when it could possibly be right under your nose, in new, like new, or used (but not abused) condition, for pennies on the dollar. – Robert in Arizona.

Letter Re: Buying Just One Gun?

Good Morning:
In response to the gentleman who wants to own just one gun: Obviously, his mindset is biased against gun ownership. Nothing wrong with that, to each his own. But, I would suggest that he really needs to get his mind squared away before even considering buying anything. Once the bias is corrected, and he has made the decision that he really needs a firearm…..then have him go to his local gun store where they have a range, rent a 38 revolver, a box of shells, some ear plugs and muffs and have at it. I wouldn’t recommend starting with anything smaller. He would need to feel the power of the instrument to resolve his indecision. Most gun store owners will be glad to give him an introduction to the rented piece and show him how to point it downrange and pull the trigger!

Gun ownership is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. He should know this. He also should know that wanting a weapon “just because I think I should have one” is not a viable reason to assume responsibility for a piece of gear that can be used at the discretion of the owner in both a positive and a negative way.

From the sound of his letter, and not being derogatory, [I am making an assumption here]; he lives in a large city, has never hunted in his life, and doesn’t know the first thing about firearms. In that case, my recommendation for a “first ” firearm would be the Ruger GP-100 357 revolver. No bells and whistles, American quality, won’t blow up in your hand like some of this cheap imported cr*p will (I’ve been there), and when push comes to shove (life and death), there are no thoughts of releasing a safety , magazines or other buttons to push. Ammo is cheap, the ladies like shooting it with .38 [S&W cartridges] s chambered. Some even like it loaded with .357 [Magnum cartridges]. It is also very accurate. I recommend that he purchase the weapon legally at the local gun store, just in case he ever has to use it. Any time there is a weapon used in self-defense, the finger of blame is pointed at the shooter first and the shooter needs to be blameless in all aspects of the engagement. This is another topic in itself. [JWR Adds: That advice only applies in localities where there is mandatory registration for handguns. If it is legal to buy a gun from a private party without registration, then by all means avoid the paper trail!]

The most important thing he has to remember is once the trigger is pulled, you can’t ” take it back” . Ain’t no ‘do-overs’ when the primer gets slapped by the firing pin. Once he buys his weapon of choice, then he assumes responsibility for the use of the weapon.
Now, for the good stuff: If you have never used a firearm; take a course! [JWR Adds: I highly recommend Front Sight. I have witnessed how exceedingly patient and gentle they are with newbies. They turn even total incompetents into safe, well-trained, efficient shooters.] It is like driving a car. You just didn’t jump in one day and start driving down the expressway at the age of 16, or , if you did, you soon paid for the lack of training. Get trained to use the piece of gear. A firearm is simply another piece of gear that performs a specific task. – Bob in South Georgia.

Odds ‘n Sods:

Norman in England mentioned one consequence of the global credit collapse, as reported by The Financial Post: Grain shipments stalled in credit drought (“There’s all kinds of stuff stacked up on docks right now…”)

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Bill N. sent us the link to this “must see” video from a DEFCON hackers’ convention: No Tech Hacking

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James B. sent us this “signs of the times” news story: National Debt Clock runs out of digits. Speaking of digits, several times in the last six months, I’ve mentioned the Federal Reserve cartels’ web page where they post updates on aggregate bank borrowings. Last summer, IIRC, I called the “Nonborrowed” column numbers “alarming”. The latest figures are absolutely horrendous. (A hat tip to Tanker, for reminding me to check the Fed’s latest tally.)

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More economic gloom und doom from Cheryl: US government may take part ownership in banks — Global auto market may “collapse” in 2009: J.D. Power — Financial Crisis: Who is going to bail out the euro? — Time Is Up Congress — And America (A sober prediction) Here are a couple of key quotes: “There is chatter circulating, apparently, that “global equity markets will be closed after the emergency G7 meeting this weekend.” and ” …the Indonesian market was just closed again this evening, after literally imploding – down by more than 10% – within an hour of starting to trade.” – Bernanke, Paulson Seek Global Help – Crisis Swamps US — LIBOR Holds Central Banks Hostage As Credit Freezes — Fear Tops Greed – Market Woes Paralyze Economies — Latin American Countries Tap Reserves To Save Currency — Coming Next: Inflation — Paulson Warns More Banks, Businesses Will Fail — Brit Banks Rated Less Solid Than Botswana’s — Staring Into The Abyss (UK Economy) — Third Iceland Bank Fails — Home Safe Sales Soar, Trust in Banks Collapses (UK) — China Lashes Out At US Monetary Policy — MetLife Tanks 26%, BofA Falls After Offering Priced — Dow Plunges 678, Below 9,000 — GM Shares Hit Lowest Level Since 1950 — Press Release: Joint Statement By Central Banks — A Dozen Companies Which Should Layoff 10,000 Each This Year — Dow falls below 9,000 as stocks extend declines

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The latest from Nanny State Britannia: Gardener Ordered to Remove Barbed Wire Fence on Grounds It Could ‘Wound Thieves’. In my opinion England is a lost cause. It is time for prepared families there to Take the Gap!