[RRWagner]

Do many people think that with their single assault rifle or other weap9n, that they would successfully defend against one or more truckloads of vandals looking to steal whatever they have stored up "self-sufficiently"? History seems to indicate that in the absence of law, those with the most people inside a fortified structure and position are the most likely to survive.

[onion2k]

History seems to indicate that in the absence of law, those with the most people inside a fortified structure and position are the most likely to survive.

I don't think that's true. I imagine the people with the highest chance of survival are the ones whose governing/ruling people seek peace and the rule law quickest. Second would be people who flee to the nearest safe and lawful area. A fortification is probably the third best option if you can't have either of the first, but the probability of that structure keeping you alive is very low, especially if the conflict lasts long enough to become a siege. Entire cities managed to hold out from sieges that lasted for years, but the ordinary people inside did not.

[xeromal]

Funny the person you replied to mentioned an antique rifle and then you ranted about assault weapons while censoring yourself?

Rifles are great for many things aside from roving bandits. First thing is that hunting is an excellent capability to have and rifles are much easier to use than bows. Another thing is the deterrence one provides. If you're moving around the end times with just your fists, you're an easier target than someone equipped. The final bit is if your point is right and living in a fortified structure is the way to go, someone with a rifle and the knowhow to use it is going to be immensely more useful to the group than someone who just knows how to use a computer. In the absence of law, you will be obliged to defend yourself whether that's individually or in a large group.

[calenti]

That also includes knowing how to process game. A dead deer or a dead rabbit has a small window between being a dead creature and a toxic mess. If you're gonna plug animals learn how to make proper use of them.

[dlcarrier]

People stockpiling only "weap9n"s aren't going to last near as long as people stockpiling only food.

In real life melee weapons are readily available and far more overpowered that you'd think, but what matters more is that robbery is risky. Winning most of the time isn't enough; you'd need to win all of the time.

[hackable_sand]

Not to mention, you need to convince multiple people to commit acts of violence. This is notoriously hard to do.

[preciousoo]

It depends on if the people with weapons can find the people with food. With no rule of law, everything is on the table. Warlords still exist in many parts of the world today

[mrexroad]

Those folks tend to have a confounding number of firearms, rather than just one. Not that it necessarily shifts the eventual outcome to your scenario.

[red-iron-pine]

number of firearms is moot without 1) the ammo to use it, and 2) enough bodies to use them.

I'd rather have 10 people with 10 guns than 3 people with 30 guns, esp. if of different calibers and configurations

and in a collapse situation I'd rather have excessive water purification and just enough firearms, than excessive firearms and little to no water purification

[throwawayq3423]

> History seems to indicate that in the absence of law, those with the most people inside a fortified structure and position are the most likely to survive.

Source?

[RRWagner]

Every Roman fortification, medieval city & castle? Clarifying, compared to a single villager with a sword or even two.

[koonsolo]

Survival is all about being prepared for all kinds of scenarios, adapting to the situation, and a ton of luck.

I rather have a few weapons, than no weapons at all.