Underestimated Enemy

I know this story is over a year old, but the situation in the far east isn't getting any better. I predict the time will come, perhaps in our lifetime, when U.S. citizens will at least face the possibility of a Chinese invasion. You read it here first.

The Japanese Empire never invaded us early in WWII when they still had the capability. As one of their admiral's wisely observed, "We cannot invade the mainland . . . there would be a rifle behind every blade of grass."

It wasn't our military they feared so much as the citizens: shooters, hunters, and armed civilians. They might have gained a foothold on our soil but they never could have controlled us.

Si vis pacem, para bellum! (if you want peace, prepare for war)

My Challenge to all able bodied men: (optional for women)

If you don't own a rifle and are over 18 with a clean criminal record, stop surfing the net and go get one. Now. Learn to use it well. If not, sleep easy in your bed like a sheep, knowing that REAL citizens who do their duty and arm themselves are the reason our nation will never be over-run.

Some recommendations:

Ruger 10-22 This bread and butter .22 is cheap and easy to shoot, accurate and fun. Not powerful, which is good if you're a beginner, yet still provides firepower in a pinch.

SKS (7.62x39) A mere 200 bucks will score you this classic semi-auto battle rifle. Ammo is still cheap and plentiful in states not yet taken over by the gun fearing pansies. Not the most accurate but it provides serious firepower in a rugged design. Plus the integral bayonet is wicked cool.

AK-47 carbine (also 7.62x39) about $400 bucks, but shorter and handier with detachable magazines. Just as rugged as SKS but even less accurate, depending on the quality of ammo.

AR-15 or any clone thereof (.223/5.56 NATO) This will take some cash, nearly $1000. Not as cheap to shoot as the SKS nor as powerful, but powerful enough for most situations. Very accurate, very fun, scary looks scare off bad guys.

Any lever action in any center fire caliber. I prefer the model 94 winchester for it's handling, but the Marlin is great too, and probably the better made gun.

Any military surplus bolt action in good shape. I could go on and on, there are so many good ones out there, from 60 bucks to several hundred. Personally I like either the classic k-98 Mauser, for which ammo is still cheap, or the phenomenally well made Swiss k-31 straight pull design (ammo not so cheap, but oh so good.) British 303 Enfields are classy but the formerly cheap ammo is getting scarce.

When you are ready, confident in your skills and have the cash, consider a well made bolt action sniper such as a Remington's model 7oo in either .308 win or .300 win mag. Put an expensive mil-dot scope on it and learn to calculate ranges and trajectories.

Keep lots of ammo on hand for whatever rifles you have. Shotguns and pistols are great for self defense, more on that later; Rifles are for self defense and WAR. The Rifle is the Queen of Battle; when a man picks one up he feels like more of a man. When a pansy picks one up, he just might turn into a man. When a woman picks one up, I have no idea what that does, but hey it sure is cool.

Si vis pacem, para bellum!

Oh, and be safe. If at all possible find someone competent to help you get started.

On that topic, here's the 4 universal safety rules (but not the only safety rules):

1) Treat all guns as if they are loaded all the time

2) never allow a gun to point in an unsafe direction

3) finger off the trigger until you intend to shoot

4) be sure of your target and what's behind it

I recommend the Nation of Riflemen website, among others.