Evacuation - what do you do with your guns?

[PTK]

I should note, ANYONE who doesn't have a list of serial #s, approximate value, description, located in at least two places (bank, safe, whatever) is rather foolish.

 

[jakemccoy]

Fortunately for me, my collection is small and very portable. And if I have to get out of dodge, it all comes along.

You mean it all comes along if you're driving, right? If you have to hike at some point (car breaks down or out of gas), you could carry maybe two guns and a little ammo. If that's all you have in your collection, we'll help you come up with a different word than "collection".

 

[skinewmexico]

I'd probably put them all in aloksaks, and lock them in the safe. Or some of them.

 

[jakemccoy]

I should note, ANYONE who doesn't have a list of serial #s, approximate value, description, located in at least two places (bank, safe, whatever) is rather foolish.

I take digital pics or scans and then use an online backup system.

 

[TCB in TN]

OK I have a different idea about such a situation. Plastic lined sealed 55 gallon drums with plenty of stuff to soak up the moisture, placed as securely as you can under the house (if you have a block type foundation) or heavily chained down to something concrete to keep it from washing/floating away. I have never been though one but see to many instances of missing roof etc, to expect it to be safe there.

 

[Catherine]

I am curious here... what have you done in the PAST with bad storms, evacuations, hurricanes, etc.?

Been there - done that in ALL kinds of weather and bad storms from the east coast - born and raised, Great Lakes rural farm/lake region and out here - forest fires.

Have good insurance whether you own or rent.

If you stay - generator and gas plus the below.

Have your 'important papers' including your insurance papers ready to go - brief case or portable file, CASH, your 'survival or daily carry Guns' with Ammunition, LOCK UP your other guns and GOOD stuff if you can't haul it to your car and if you have to leave your vehicle - something that you can WALK with, your survival gear SHOULD already be READY TO GO in your vehicle or in your home, your vitamins or Rx medicine if you take any, OTC eye drops to flush out your eyes due to wind/dirt, spare eyeglasses if you wear them, your drinking WATER, a Berkey water filter if you own one, FOOD, a first aid kit, maps, paper/pen, soap, towels, change of clothes, blankets, flashlight, batteries, wind up radio or with batteries, plastic garbage bags, Toilet Paper is worth it's weight in gold, a Coleman porta potti like you see on boats or in campers, etc. YOU know the drill so I will NOT write it all down.

You should already have your regular legal will completed along with a living will and/or medical POA completed! I think that you are a young man in his 20's or so. Anyone over the age of 18 should make his/her wishes known and they should have a will done even if you are not in the military - mandatory. USE the brains and common sense that the good Lord gave you!

You can barter if you need to do this if the politicos start another, one of many, freaking WARS too. Same with weather related 'wars'.

I am going to talk to my sister down in FL later on. I know that you live down there close to her. She is close to the ocean too. I think that her husband went down to the marina already - job related.

Best wishes and God speed.

Catherine

 

[.cheese.]

I am curious here... what have you done in the PAST with bad storms, evacuations, hurricanes, etc.?

Was living elsewhere (my own apartment) which was not in an evacuation zone. Just stayed where I was..... also, I didn't own as much a year ago. Most of my guns are young.

 

[thebaldguy]

Take them along or secure them in a good safe. I like the idea of caulking up the seams on a safe to try to prevent water damage. If time permits, oil them up well and wrap up in plastic before the safe is sealed up.

 

[Huddog]

Dead on PTK, photos on disc is also recommended

 

[dalepres]

Taking your guns with you during evacuation is, I think, a bad idea. Anywhere along the evacuation route, persons you might not otherwise suspect may forcibly take your guns from you. Carry one with you at the most and make that one a gun you are reasonably willing to lose.

In advance of any evacuations, make sure that you have planned a secure and weather/moisture-proof storage for the weapons you will leave behind. When selecting the storage location, remember that there will be people who will try to illegally relieve law abiding citizens of their legally owned guns. Choose the storage location well.

 

[Intune]

Taking your guns with you during evacuation is, I think, a bad idea. Anywhere along the evacuation route, persons you might not otherwise suspect may forcibly take your guns from you. Carry one with you at the most and make that one a gun you are reasonably willing to lose.

Nope. When I gotta bug out the only person(s) that stand a chance of getting my weapons will be backed by M1A2 Abrams & Bradley's.

 

[dalepres]

My guns would go in the car before anything else. I do not wish to arm an army of looters. A safe I have, but why take a chance?

There is a possibility that your guns could be taken from your car by thugs on the side of the road. You can't protect them from well armed thugs. Better to secure them from roving bands of thugs at a fixed location before bad weather hits.

I should note, ANYONE who doesn't have a list of serial #s, approximate value, description, located in at least two places (bank, safe, whatever) is rather foolish.

I suggest emailing the list to yourself. Then you can pick up the list anywhere it is at, as long as your email provider isn't in the same weather conditions you're in.

 

[230RN]

Weren't some of the police authorities confiscating guns found in cars at roadblocks and such during the Katrina bugout?

 

[Blackbeard]

Why would they block the road leading out of town during an evacuation? Don't they block the road going back INTO the disaster area?

 

[pharmer]

I ain't going anywhere. Drop your guns off on your way out. Cleaned my garage out recently, plenty of room. Joe

 

[MinnMooney]

Take it with!

I'd have an arraingement with a friend/relative who doesn't live in an evacuation zone where I could temporarily store my entire collection. Every time that there is a threat of an evacuation, I'd load up the collection (& other valuables/unreplaceables) and head for their home.

from - daleprez :

There is a possibility that your guns could be taken from your car by thugs on the side of the road. You can't protect them from well armed thugs. Better to secure them from roving bands of thugs at a fixed location before bad weather hits.

Huh?!? Where are you coming up with this stuff? If you evacuate before the storm hits, there won't be any "roving bands of thugs" stopping cars on an evacuation route. Get real! & get your collection out of the zone!

 

[.cheese.]

PTK - I'll admit that my list is not up to date. I went ahead last night and updated it to include everything I currently own, as well as added a section to detail guns I have sold (just in case). I keep all of my receipts though as a backup.

Fortunately, it's looking more and more like I'm in the clear now as it looks more like Fay will hit the West coast. Good for me, bad for other THR members here on the West coast.... although it's looking like it will just be some rain and not too much to worry about.

 

[dalepres]

Nope. When I gotta bug out the only person(s) that stand a chance of getting my weapons will be backed by M1A2 Abrams & Bradley's.

That's not true at all. All it takes is one person, one shot, and your guns are in the hands of your opponent. And what happens if your opponent is carrying a badge - his own or a stolen one? Just the flash of a badge would cause enough hesitation that you may not get the first shot off against a determined confiscator.

 

[Loomis]

You keep all your guns at home?

You shouldn't do that. Spread them around. One at work. A few at a parents house. On at a cabin or trailer if you have one. One in a shed...etc

When the gubmit comes around confiscating firearms, you will wish you had them spread out.

 

[dalepres]

Why would they block the road leading out of town during an evacuation? Don't they block the road going back INTO the disaster area?

Google evacuation and roadblock. Virtually every evacuation plan in the nation includes roadblocks. To get processed at a roadblock during evacuation, simply turn off the grid-locked freeway and try to take the back road out of town that you know is wide open. And don't forget about the roadblocks you will probably face when you return as well, ensuring that only actual residents - unarmed actual residents even - get back into any disaster zone.

I'd have an arraingement with a friend/relative who doesn't live in an evacuation zone where I could temporarily store my entire collection. Every time that there is a threat of an evacuation, I'd load up the collection (& other valuables/unreplaceables) and head for their home.

What do you mean you would have? You don't already have? And what about a chemical leak or train derailment? You won't have advanced warning about the possible evacuation.

What about a tornado as in Greensburg, Kansas?

Huh?!? Where are you coming up with this stuff? If you evacuate before the storm hits, there won't be any "roving bands of thugs" stopping cars on an evacuation route.

Google Greensburg and Confiscation. Evacuating. There were armed robberies and beatings and thefts all along the evacuation routes of Katrina. Personal property taken and destroyed by gangs of thugs.

 

[Intune]

That's not true at all. All it takes is one person, one shot, and your guns are in the hands of your opponent. And what happens if your opponent is carrying a badge - his own or a stolen one? Just the flash of a badge would cause enough hesitation that you may not get the first shot off against a determined confiscator.

Dang, you're right. I should have planned for the dude with the 82A1 Barrett. All I need is some plate steel, ballistic glass & 500 more horses under the hood of my Suburban. :banghead:

Flash of badge=hesitation? I don't think so. Anyone approaching the vehicle will be suspect. I might not get the first shot off but I have faith that between my son with the SAR1, daughter with the 6.5x55 and my wife with the 12ga that someone is gonna have way more holes in them than I do. My family will remain in possession of our firearms AND those of the genius who attempted to weapon-jack us.

Who ever heard of LEO roadblocks on the EGRESS routes? No such animal.

There were armed robberies and beatings and thefts all along the evacuation routes of Katrina. Personal property taken and destroyed by gangs of thugs.

Great reasons to be well armed.

 

[halfacop]

Upon a evacuation - I am picking a couple guns that I feel would serve me well and the rest would be stored carefully for me to get upon my return.

As far as someone trying to "confiscate" my firearms....uh....NO WAY!

Regardless of Badge or not...No one will be taking my guns without a fight. Certainly not in a time such as a evac or hunkering down to wait it out.

I would always prefer to hunker down and wait it out, but I have kids to think about so I will always try and keep them out of harms way if possiable. Which is exactly the reason why no one woudl be taking my guns...they are the very tool that helps me ensure my family's safety.

Luckily I live in a state that does not fall in the path of very many issues - thus I have had little to worry about so far. However - I remain vigilant and determined just incase.

 

[FourNineFoxtrot]

jakemccoy said:

You mean it all comes along if you're driving, right?

For me, evacuate = drive. I couldn't get anywhere worth getting to on foot. If my car broke down on the way, then I'd have some hard decisions to make, unless I could make a call and get someone to pick me up, with my stuff.

 

[dalepres]

Regardless of Badge or not...No one will be taking my guns without a fight. Certainly not in a time such as a evac or hunkering down to wait it out.

You're going to shoot the National Guard kid following orders to take your gun? Regardless of what you say, you're not going to do that and we both know it.

I have not seen a single report of a gun owner fighting it out with the police or national guard in New Orleans. To do so would be suicide; you'd never win, regardless if you are constitutionally correct.

And flashing a badge will create hesitation. The guy with the badge is probably already aiming his weapon at you and you won't survive long enough to know that the badge was legit if you don't hesitate.

 

[ronnieevans40]

Take what you can

Pictures and stuff that cant be replaced they go first. I have 40 different guns so taking them is not an option. What I did when I lived in LA, and NC was to store the bolts in a carry all so that I could take them with should I have to leave. Insurance is also important. The reason I took the bolts is so that if they are stolen the thief cant just use them. tag everything, photo all your guns and have all SN's written down and stored with important papers you take. A good gun safe sealed and wrapped will also help with protecting your guns. One other thought, if you live in a high flood area or evac area, digitally store your photos, send copies of all important papers to a trusted family member or friend outside your area, and stay safe. Good luck and I hope this never becomes a real issue that you have to deal with.