Jim March's comments
+2
I was raised where firearms were part of the tools in the toolbox of stuff one kept handy. Knowledge , training and awareness were the biggest tools.
Sure water, canned goods, lanterns, candles, flashlights...you name it, etc., were great for Tornados, bad weather,loss of power, floods, ice storms and such. I recall very well having to use Firearms to make areas safe of snakes, after tornados and floods. Folks having to protect property from looters when Mother nature was unkind. I know firsthand what a kid with a .22 lr revolver can do when his front door is brick- batted in during riots and he is in charge of the safety of 3 younger sibs. I was that kid.
We did not have 911 when I grew up. We did know our neighbors, we did have a plan and a back up plan. We were not raised to "depend" on anyone but ourselves. We figured the authorities were kinda busy and their services were needed doing really important stuff.
Knowledge, training and awareness comes into play of all the 'tools' one has, be it trimming a wick for a oil lamp, how to make a fire in a fireplace, how to cook on the fireplace, how to syphon gas for a generator, syphon water from a jug, rain barrel, get a tarp to fix a hole in a roof, using a chainsaw...to knowing how to shoot.
Some elephants are bigger than others - they are all real to the individuals facing them at the time. There is not a set , or defined toolbox - for these elephants, never will be. Never hurts to borrow ideas and have some tools in that toolbox you may feel you may never need. Just have the knowledge, training and the wherewithall to use them if called upon.
Then again like the lady said " honey, with one of "those", you can get all of "them" ya want"