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Does anyone have practical advice for how we survive this?

Do we leave our money in the bank or take it out? How do we plan for no healthcare? Do we buy a gun? Do we build safe spaces in our home with secret doors? What else?

So many questions. All genuine. No rhetoric.

Hrefna (DHC)

@markwyner Re: Gun ownership.

As someone who does own guns: it isn't enough to own them. You have to learn them and then be willing to use them. You have to be willing to invest in the right _kind_ of guns as well.

I don't think it is a bad idea per se, but it is incredibly personal, only matters so much, and there's no committing halfway. So if you aren't willing to fully commit to what it takes to own them and keep them then it is better to not touch them at all.

@markwyner Like for example: I own guns suitable to hunting or if you need to put down a horse or somesuch. I do _not_ own, nor do I want to own, the kinds of guns that people like to buy for harming people.

The ones I have would work for that just fine, but that's not what they are optimized for. Still, I keep them in a safe, unloaded, and make sure they are in good repair on a regular basis

So what is your goal with ownership? Start there and decide if that's something you want to commit to

@hrefna I understand all of this. And I appreciate your helpful position.

I really, really, really don’t want a gun. And also, I don’t want to find myself in a position of not being able to defend my family from fascist hooligans or America’s new version of Gestapo hunting people.

So this is a really complicated consideration that needs much reflection. I appreciate your advice on that.

@markwyner Honestly: I don't think you should get a gun if you don't want a gun. I don't think it is justified just for the sake of having one. It increases your risks disproportionately.

IMO: The more effective thing to put time into that is firearm related is learning first aid for a gunshot wound. Which is one of those skills you hope never to use but is good to have in your back pocket (and the skills training you get alongside it is phenomenally useful on a more regular basis).

@markwyner If you were instead saying "I've been wanting to get into firearms for awhile now, is this a good time?" I might say something different. Similarly if you said "I've been firing with friends for years and could get back into it as a hobby." I still wouldn't say "great! rush out to your local store today!" but I'd be warmer to the idea.

But if you really don't want to get into firearm ownership with all that goes with it? It's perfectly fair to say "this isn't for me" even now, IMO.