Question to the Know-It-Alls:

[G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ]

Question to the Know-It-Alls:

 

We're planning "Disaster Prep" segments for "Know How" in which we'll be showing you some of the things you can do to increase your chances of surviving disasters.

 

One of the potential topics is Firearm Safety and Awareness. -- We have firearm experts who are willing to demonstrate proper firearm maintenance and usage, as well as suggest models for a "bug-out bag".

 

I know that firearms can be polarizing... so my questions is, "would YOU like to include firearms as part of our disaster preparedness episodes"?

[G+_Jason Phillips]

No thank you I'm not into firearms

[G+_Pete Warner]

Padre, even people who are not into guns should have at least a common knowledge of firearm safety.  Why?  Because you should know what to do ... or maybe more importantly, what NOT to do ... when you encounter a gun.  

[G+_Eddie Foy]

I own guns, but I'd steer clear of the topic.

Plenty of other places to cover the topic.

 

(and if its a gun in a bag on your person, is that now CC?)

  I'm also surprised Leo would allow it

[G+_Joe Sears]

Long time firearms owner, and it would be responsible to cover the topic. I echo the sentiments above that even if you don't carry a firearm, you should at least know basic facts. The hype out there on the topic is as bad, or worse than, the technopanic that Jeff Jarvis often references for tech related issues.

[G+_Dave McCormick]

Firearm safety should be taught hands on.  You might mention handling every gun as if it is loaded, but other than that it is probably more than should be gone over in a lecture format.

[G+_T Nohands]

I use to help setup managed incidents (because there's no such thing as perfect control) with fire department, county sheriff/state troopers, and DNR all coordinated with schools, from grade school through colleges and the biggest surprise among the fun creating accidents was plasma and grease fires along with firearm malfunctions. Setting up various firearms to explode on the 3rd or 4rth shot gets everybody's  attention especially when they are not expecting it to happen. Oh how I miss those good old days, understanding the concept of compressed energy and how energy changes from one form to another is rarely taught or demonstrated in general education anymore. Not everyone has the land and access to areas for a large group to make demonstrations of what it's like when something goes wrong, and the knowledge of what to do when something goes wrong is just as important as prevention, otherwise you end up with people trying to use water on a grease fire instead of smothering with a lid or baking soda. Of course I think educational demonstrations are a good idea just to appease the little pyromaniac inside some of us, energy is so cool just imagine if we had safe access to anti-matter think of the quad flying time with that charging the motors ;)

[G+_Jason Perry]

I share the opinion that firearms safety is important. On the other hand the topic doesn't make much sense given know how's existing content. If there was a segment with tech and guns and you started with firearms safety I can see it.

 

Wait a second are you going skeet shooting with quads!

Really if you want to cover it cover it.

[G+_Hagos Rush]

I already own weapons. This would be cool to have.

[G+_Travis Hershberger]

Weather you own any firearms or not it's good for everyone to know the basics.

 

Are you going to show us how to wire wrap our own generators as well?

[G+_Taylor Graham]

I think everyone who cares about firearms safety already knows about it, and anyone considering getting a weapon shouldn't rely on know-how for their safety course.

Maybe if you talked about firearms tech, modifications, how to disassemble/build one, but i personally wouldn't want to hear the same 'every gun is always loaded blah blah' speech again.

[G+_Brent Burzycki]

This is great because even if you hate guns it is good to know how to make them safe in an emergency..

[G+_Steve C]

Jason, at the first zombie attack are you going to let them bite your first and get it over with right away so you don't have to do any fighting?

[G+_Eddie Foy]

Steve C rule #1 cardio

[G+_Eddie Foy]

I don't think instructors are licensed.  (at least not by gov't) certified by some private org maybe.

[G+_Hagos Rush]

Eddie Foy is correct. Instructors can gain a certificate from a university in six weeks (length of time varies) for $100. Generally nothing "government" oriented.

[G+_Hagos Rush]

James Todd have you ever watched the show Doomsday Preppers? Anyone who is truly serious about prepping (this not solely based on the show obviously) would have a weapon of some sort as part of their kit. How would you hunt? How would you protect your family? Don't get caught bringing a knife to a gun fight.

 

You will lose

[G+_Ben Reese]

Firearms are an important part of American history and future. You're right, it's a hot topic and may or may not be tech related - especially with a possible future of "smart" guns and the recent TrackingPoint hack.

 

It's inevitable that someday communication will fail and all of our beloved technology will go with it. It's possible that when this happens the Hurricane Katrina situation will be nation-wide.

 

But, honestly... With or without the topic, I'll watch the show.

[G+_Steve C]

Here's something to think about, do you know that most of the mass shootings recently in theaters, churches and schools have been in Gun Free Zones?  The shooters actually search out such places because they know that nobody will interfere with or attempt to stop them there.  One guy actually staked out several theaters until he found which one didn't have a security guard on duty.  This logically proves that Gun Free Zones are incredibly dangerous and need to all be shut down right away and more citizens need to be armed before more innocent people die!

[G+_Hagos Rush]

James Todd you are clearly delusional. Never once did I say anything about infinite ammo or other such childish foolishness. What I said to you which (clearly you did not read) was that it is a good idea to have it as part of a survival kit. Uses include hunting and family defense. I don't remember stating that this was a game in which you could ultimately run around and kill everything. I did say that you have a better chance of survival with a gun over a knife.

 

If you hate guns do not bring your negative nancy mess this way. Just state you hate it and move on. Leave the rest of us in peace.

[G+_Floyd Fernandez]

Firearms are never the problem it's people who are. Maybe some knowledge put down on some might get them to see firearms as a tool for personal safety and not as a disaster waiting to happen.?

[G+_Jeff Gros]

I voted "yes" to hear opinions about maintenance and models for the bag. As others have voiced, I'm not so interested in the safety part per-se. As voiced by others, those who have firearms understand proper usage and safety, those who don't like firearms will skip the segment anyways.

 

But I vote a big YES for disaster prep though as a show topic. However, if possible I would like to focus it more on preparation and less on survival. I don't mean that people have to "prepare" by spending $10K on gear (and probably never learn how to use it). I also am less interested in how to weave a shelter out of trees and bushes and how to whittle a spear out of bamboo.

 

My interest is how to live through short term catastrophe. For example, where I live the main danger is earthquake and fire. In my local CERT classes fire department representatives talked about how if an earthquake happens that knocks down the freeways, then my town is isolated from outside help. We have whatever food/water/supplies we have at that moment, and shouldn't expect any more for at least a couple of weeks.

 

I'm also interested in the plethora of little things to focus on, that when accumulated make all the difference. For example, many people don't have land lines any more because they save money by just having a cell phone. However, in an emergency, cell phone traffic will be reserved for first responders. In addition, should power go out, the battery backup on cell towers will last on the order of hours. The diesel backup generators for land line phones last on the order of days. I've also been told that if you might not be able to make calls to people who are in the middle of the event. However, you might be able to make outgoing calls to areas that aren't affected. So if you have family out of state, you can prearrange for everyone to call that family member, who can update everyone on the current status as they check in.

 

This is such a rich topic, you could spend 10 full episodes and just scratch the surface. Water and food storage, sanitation, emergency medicine, communication, etc.

 

Here's hoping you do Padre! Better get started! :)

[G+_Brent Burzycki]

The best person to do this is a firearms instructor that is from a local police agency. They have the most training and certificates.

 

That said there is a liability issue you guys need to look at for providing this type of information.

 

Leo might not like that liability.

 

If you need or want a few active and retired law enforcement to talk about staying safe in today's world. I can put you in touch with 3 guys that can do that talk.

 

www.coptalk.info

 

Ps I am one of them.

[G+_Hagos Rush]

James Todd A delusion is a belief held with strong conviction despite superior evidence to the contrary.

 

I too own weapons. I Already know how to safely store, clean and use them. you live in Canada. I lived in a small town called Penticton, BC where I did not lock my doors at night nor did I care if things were left outside. Neighbors house broken into? best believe that changed. I now live in NYC where I lock my doors to my house, car and even my bike. the world is not a safe haven as the bubble you believe you live in.

 

I live In a great community with great schools, community facilities etc and a low crime rate. three months ago they locked down the neighborhood and schools because bad people do bad things and were roaming in the people's yards hiding from police.

 

Because YOU don't believe that something should be used in a certain way then it is wrong for everyone else to think so?

 

shotguns are sold with shorter barrels for home defense.

 

You know someone is afraid to leave a relationship in case they are killed? What a GREAT case to have a weapon for self defense. you file a restraining order and you carry a 9mm on your waist with a concealed carry permit in the event that you run into that person and your life is in danger. I also have a friend that was mugged, you want to tell them that a weapon would not be an effective deterrent in their home?

 

A shotgun cocking behind any door scares a would be thief straight.

 

Guns are just like every other implement. it is a tool to be used as necessary. Home defense (no matter how against it you are by your personal beliefs), a tool for implementing death wether to animals or other life forms (war).

 

you want to know why it's necessary in a prep kit? not only because you can use it for hunting but because someone will be using it for evil.

 

Welcome to Earth where bad people do bad things and good people arm themselves to prevent it from happening to them. #micdrop

[G+_Jeff Brand]

As the discussion is demonstrating, the notion of "firearm safety" should probably be decoupled from the notion of disaster prep, survival, or any particular use since tense dialog follows immediately.

 

Gun Safety Know How in and of itself: useful

 

However, I won't be purchasing the KH .50 cal kit, nor the Syma .22 air pistol. :D