Prepping for post-election mayhem in the US?

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Tacitus

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I'm thinking about making some prepperish purchases before the election. I've been aggressively building my emergency funds in 2020, but now I'm wondering if I should convert that cash into things that may become scarce if there is post election mayhem.

I don't expect things to go as smoothly as the Bush-Gore election. Scenarios:
  • Trump win: I'm thinking urban lawlessness will increase, but not sure how long it can be maintained in the face of a clear Trump win. I would expect that Democrat mayors would realize it backfired, and start cracking down on it.
  • Biden win: I figure the progressive/marxist violence (Antifa/BLM) will slow down...and yet the marxists have even been going after Democrat mayors, so you never know--they may smell blood if Biden has a clear victory, and try to push the US further towards marxism.
  • Contested election that doesn't resolve by January: Not sure what would happen then, but not sure it can be good. I figure "protestors" will escalate in an effort to influence Congress in certifying the election.
Maybe the current unrest is nothing special (in that it is just temporary, like other rioting times in history). But, the job of a prepper is to hope for the best but prepare for the worst...both of which I plan to do.

So, any recommendations?

I've had my eyes on a practical defense firearm, but the prices have jumped a bit. And, I'd hate to drop a bunch of cash on a gun, and then lose my job. On the other hand, firearms will likely hold their value for the near future. And, the availability of firearms is decreasing (which should concern us all).

Maybe I should get that generator I've been thinking about. But, those things are expensive, and I'm not expecting the grid to go out unless the nation devolves into total civil war. I suppose I'm not expecting that, but who knows?
 
K wants a new pair of handguns and I want a new rifle. Ammo is always needed and I have to get a bigger ammo dump lock box for any new orders. Maybe reloading equipment?

I have been focussing on food, water and power. A new generator is in the works and I order a few #10 cans of food every week. I have been stocking up on water filters and extra jugs of water every time I go to the grocery store.
 
Unfortunately, if you do not yet own a firearm, you're probably not going to find one to purchase. At least not a good one at a reasonable price. And you have to have ammo for the gun. There isn't much of that to be found either.

I would start looking NOW if you intend to have a gun and ammo by the election. It's already maybe too late.
 
Unfortunately, if you do not yet own a firearm, you're probably not going to find one to purchase. At least not a good one at a reasonable price. And you have to have ammo for the gun. There isn't much of that to be found either.

I would start looking NOW if you intend to have a gun and ammo by the election. It's already maybe too late.
I just checked Rural King. Yea, you won't get a AR-15 or anything in 9MM but they do have .22's and shotguns (as well as ammo for both).
 
A generator is always a good idea.
I don't know your prep situation but I would suggest you have extra fuel for you vehicles and the generator if you get one stored.
I would also look into any firstaid or medications to stock.
Same for petfood.
Also extra of whatever you use for cooking or heating ( or extras for your alternatives)
Should've already had a weapon but I would go with a shotgun for now. Ammo may be easier to get for one.

I doubt anything dangerous would happen here where I live but stuff happening elsewhere has a bad habit of delaying or stopping supplies from reaching areas.
I've been adding to our supplements we both take

Thats all I can think of off the top of my head.
Power
Fuel
Meds
Pets
Security
 
Time to find out where your close neighbors are in this tyranny.
I want to have a Neighborhood watch meeting which is past due for us.
Soon as weather is not hot or rainey.
A one ot two man army will fall to a gang , numbers 'matter'.
 
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A generator is always a good idea.

Power
Fuel
Meds
Pets
Security
I agree with WVDragonlady. We picked up an extra generator a few years ago and make sure we run it a bit every year just so it's viable when/if we should need it. It was a good price and we may not need it, but family might. We run it every year now b/c mice had a hay day in the wires one year and hubs had to fix it.....what a mess! Make sure you have fuel to run them as well. We typically stock up all the fuel containers after Labor Day when the prices go down. We'll have to do that in a week or two since we haven't seen the dip in prices yet.

I've been buying extra (even mores-so) since this spring. I even bought a new bed b/c it seems that there are shortages on almost everything this year. We've even stocked up on things we will need for winter projects, even though I'm sure we've missed some things. Gas, firewood, propane, kerosene, etc., will be stocked before October.

Take an inventory of things you use every day and put in on a list. If it goes on sale within the next couple of weeks, buy lots. Things that don't go bad or have a long shelf life are laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, shampoo, razors, cleaners, toothpaste, skin care products, socks, undies, soap, candles, matches, lighters, etc. It's going to be different for all of us. Whatever you were short on during the TP crisis......I hope you have covered. If panic hits again, the TP isles will probably be hit again. Oh, and full freezer(s) is always a good idea going into winter. Unless you are a hunter who plans on filling it up with venison.
 
I just checked Rural King. Yea, you won't get a AR-15 or anything in 9MM but they do have .22's and shotguns (as well as ammo for both).
If I have to fall all the way back to a .22, I have a good 10,000 rounds for that. Death by a thousand bee stings!
Yeah, that ukulele is only .22, but it holds a lot of them!

Ukulele.jpg
 
You need a violin to go with your ukulele. :)
The Thompson 45 carried 50 to 100 rounds in the drum magazines.
 
Maybe reloading equipment?

Reloading equipment...not a bad idea. I've never reloaded, but it may be time for me to learn, since my chosen calibers (.223 and 9mm) are sold out all around the area.

Reloading is handy right now, but don't get too excited.

Most places that sell reloading equipment are as out of stock as ammo is. Reloading supplies are also difficult to find, powder is still available as are shell casings. But bullets and primers are a scarce commodity right now, but that doesn't stop me from looking and acquiring when I see it. I was fortunate to find 2000 small rifle primers yesterday, and to be honest, I was shocked.

Last week I was searching for supplies to cast my own bullets (.223 and 9mm) and even those items are "out of stock" many places I looked.
 
So feel free to laugh at me, I know I think sideways sometimes. In addition to the obvious like food, water, ammo etc. which I've been very attentive to over the past few months in particular, there are some other things I've tried to zero in on. I got razor blades, both regular and flat - can be used for shaving or cutting (medically.) I've also tried to think of the various alternatives: if electric heat goes out, we have our trailer which uses propane - propane is full plus a couple extras (expensive right now also.) But then we have chainsaws for wood (heat and cook) as well as bar and chain oil and fuel. If it gets worse than that, we have axes/saws to chop and split wood. I guess I look more towards pioneers who survived with little as far as meeting needs. Which tools are most diverse and necessary?
Defense is another issue all together. My opinion is skills are as important as artillery. Knowing your weaknesses so you can plan accordingly. And very much as stated above- know who of your neighbors are of the same mindset and who is opposed.
 
Not such sideways thinking LL. Toiletries are always a good buy. Almost indefinite shelf life, reasonable cost, always in demand, don't take up a lot of space. What did we run out of first? TOILET PAPER!! :cry: I see no reason to think that would be the first thing to go if things get bad again.
 
If one is trying to buy now, good luck. Whatever one does, keep a low profile and your mouth shut. If you buy a rifle, break it down to not look like a rifle. Whatever you do, do it now as later might not come.
Sam
 
...Maybe I should get that generator I've been thinking about. ...

I'd recommend a generator that can run on LP. LP doesn't go "sour" like gasoline. Low grade gasoline (what most folks use in lawn mowers and portable generators) has 10% or more corn ethanol in it which degrades fuel lines and separates into water. Untreated gasoline varnishes carburetors preventing them from operating.

LP is readably available in 20 LP tanks found on most backyard Bar-b-que grills. I pay $5 for empty 20 pound tanks at garage sales.
 
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Check the dates on the tanks, older tanks will not be filled locally. For sake of mind, spend the $ and get new tanks. Tractor Supply has the 20's @ $32.00
Sam

We trade in the old empties for filled tanks.
 
Check the dates on the tanks, older tanks will not be filled locally. For sake of mind, spend the $ and get new tanks. Tractor Supply has the 20's @ $32.00
Sam

Around here we have propane swap stations, X (usually around 19 bucks) amount and you get a different tank that is filled and in date, and leave them the old ones. I only do this to get an updated/tested tank, I found out that the 20 pounders they swap out are not full, they are about 6 pounds shy of 39 pounds which is what a full tank typically weighs.

But, it's a great way to replace an outdated tank that can't be filled.
 
Right now is a poor time to by a firearm, ammo, etc. Still, if you look around, you might get lucky. Check out the ammo situation before buying a firearm. Picking up a couple boxes of .22, 12Ga, 20Ga, or anything that looks good might be worth it. I can always be traded or sold if you buy a different gun.
 
Shotgun, not a bad idea except that defensive/offensive, 00 buck to #4, is next to impossible to find.
I was thinking about taking some birdshot shells, opening the crimp, weigh and replace the birdshot with buckshot of equal weight, and re-crimping. Not ideal but serviceable.
 
Good list of stuff going already.
Food, toiletries, water, filters, ammo, dry goods of all types.
I'm doing varying degrees of these as I find them. Also, I'm wanting to build more raised beds and close to starting purchases for materials. Other farm type stuff like cattle panels, fence post, etc. Tools as well. Hardware like screws, nails, glue, hardware cloth. All kinds of stuff along those lines. And don't forget garden seeds and plants of all types. I'm betting by Jan seeds will be hard to come by. I plan to have all that stuff bought by election day, assuming the seed companies I buy from have resupplied. They are still out of quite a bit of stuff, but should start filling back in as they do their seed harvest.
 
Shotgun, not a bad idea except that defensive/offensive, 00 buck to #4, is next to impossible to find.
I have ~100 rounds of #1 buck for my 12. Unlikely to need 'em. I don't expect any violent damfoolishness around here. Not for awhile after the election anyway. No "urban centers" near.
 
Beans, Bullets n Bandaids are a must. It'd be nice to have some meat to go with the beans and clean water to wash it down with. A way to keep warm, we're talking winter temps during unrest. Remember, cold isn't just a problem, it's also weapon you can use.
 
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