When they come to get your guns
Here’s a hypothetical question:
What will you do, personally, if Government agents come to your door and ask you to give them your guns?
If you don’t want to go public with your answer by commenting on this blog, please send me an email to dave at backwoodshome dot com.
I’m writing a column on this subject for the next issue of Backwoods Home Magazine, and I’d like some input from others. I’ve already asked some neighbors and friends.
If you don’t feel comfortable sending me a comment, please think about what your actions would be. Let’s assume the visit from the Government agents will not be a surprise, as it will have been well advertised in the media, after Congress passes sweeping federal gun control legislation.
A word of caution: Consider your answer without bravado. Remember the story of Bradford Metcalf who went to prison for 40 years for possessing illegal guns and talking about resisting Big Government. It’s serious business when you resist Government and guns are involved, so consider what you would “actually” do, not what you’d like to do.
October 21st, 2008 at 11:24 am
As a single person my answer would have been ‘To defend the Constitution against all enemies’.
But now that I am married with 2 kids I would have to hand them over, and fight the tyrants with less direct means. The real choice is — do you die fighting in a direct confrontation that will have no future benefit? Or do you live to continue the fight and pass your ideals on to your kids so that they can continue the battle?
There is a 3rd option though, before it reaches the point of door-to-door knocks at 3am. You support the organizations that are going to help you the most — the NRA, SAF, CCRKBA, GOA, JPFO, etc.
October 21st, 2008 at 12:58 pm
I had the unique privilege of having a live in history lesson. My mother was a child during WW2 and lived in Berlin. I was told first hand how things were. How they started slowly, “Trust us” they said, “We know how to make you safe”, “It’s for your own good and the good of the Country”. Little by little freedoms were taken away and replaced by laws that assured that you could not fight back. The banning of guns for private citizens only accelerated their agenda and emboldened those in power to quell ANY descent by ANY means…
That was then, last month as I was coming home, I noticed a moving truck in front of the house of a 80 something year old German gentleman from my neighborhood I have been friendly with. Since I lived in Germany for a number of years I enjoyed practicing my German with him and listening to his views on life and the world at large ( I learned early in life of the wisdom my elders could give me). “Hey Franz, was ist los? What’s with the moving truck?” I asked. He had a strange look about him, tired really. He offered me a beer and invited me to sit in an empty chair next to him out of the way of the moving crew.
After a swallow of beer he said “I’m going back to Germany”. His daughter lived there and worked as an interpreter. I kidded him about him getting on in years and not having to do laundry or cook anymore. I waited for the feisty retort he usually shot me when I hinted he was getting old. It did not come. He instead sighed deeply. “I’m getting too old to live through this again, once was too much”. “I have seen this all before, it was like this when I was a child and it will get worse, you will see, I can’t face it all again”.
At that point the enormity of what he was saying hit me… All the stories and warnings my mother told me came to back to me! “Don’t think it can’t happen here”! “Never trust outright what you are told, find out for your self if it’s true”! The voice of my mother echoed in my head as I bid him goodbye. He shook my hand, took my address and promised to write me so I could still practice my German. He was kind enough not mention my pale face or my hasty departure.
Franz was right. All the laws are put into place for the president to declare martial law, the bill of rights decimated, domestic spying, torture, false patriotism, habeas corpus gone and instead of the Jews, ANY one of middle eastern descent is now the enemy… A terrorist. There are over one million people on the “No Fly List”. They even did a test run on gun confiscation in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. We are now the invaders, not liberators… We are the “New Nazis”. I’m ashamed of what we have become!
You asked if I’ll give up my guns… No people in history have ever survived who thought they could protect their freedom by making themselves inoffensive to their enemies. Appeasers believe that if you keep on throwing steaks to a tiger, the tiger will become a vegetarian. No I will not give up my guns!! If they try to take them it will probably cost me my life but I will do my best to make it the Second “Shot to be heard around the world”!
~Brogan
October 21st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Give them up. Clearly, one person can’t stand against the horde in open defiance. BUT, BUT, (there is always a big butt), I’d immediately become a saboteur. Think sugar in gas tanks and French Resistance of the WW2 genre of movies. Clearly, if they harm my family, then since I’d have nothing left to lose, my response would be as expected. Remember the quote attributed to Japanese Admiral Yahmato about invading America “rifleman behind every blade of grass”. I think that your question brings up two points: (1) Why would they bother? The deep slumbering mob of sheeple might be finally awakened. (2) Since they inflate and tax, it’s like having a nation of slaves working for them. Without the messiness of “runaways”, bosses, and critics. Just keep things going along they way they are. imho, fjohn
October 22nd, 2008 at 3:45 am
I don’t think they would ban all guns. Our second amendment right has just been upheld by the Supreme Court. Even federal and state wildlife agencies would protest the banning of hunting arms as they would lose their tool for controlling wildlife populations. I also think Reinkefj has a good point, they don’t need to worry about the American people rising up against them. After all, there was very little effective protest about the Patriot Act, the government eavesdropping program and our torture and denial of rights to the prisoners at Guantanamo. If the American people as a whole can’t be bothered to vote for a third party candidate, we certainly won’t bother to stand up for our rights!
I do think they will ban semi-auto firearms. I would give them up if I had to. But, I have added a .357 magnum lever action carbine and a revolver to my gun collection. I also plan to add a double-barrel or pump shotgun. I think these action types will survive the bans.
October 22nd, 2008 at 4:27 am
Since we only have kiddie guns and one heirloom shotgun I would have no problems at all handing over the kiddie guns. But not the heirloom gun – it’s sealed up in the ceiling! I think something like that (an heirloom) would be worth any problems we may face. That gun has been passed down three times and I look forward to being able to pass it down to my kids as well. And since it is regularly maintained and fully operational we could possibly use it if necessary.
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:14 am
Hi Dave,
My husband and I have already considered this probability. They would not get all of them – no more said. I have 3 grandchildren in my home so when they come – we will not fight…then. We are o.k. to live for a year without ANY outside means; we are working, urgently, for even longer-term self-sufficiency (buying shoes, jeans ahead, etc…) America is already a socialist country – (then confiscate guns) – soon to be communist. God help us all!
October 22nd, 2008 at 12:47 pm
My answer is:
“You only have those rights you’re willing to die for.”
October 22nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
“They were all stolen sir. Some guy wearing an Obama shirt broke into the house and stole all the guns, and a TV. Sorry I can’t help you. I forgot to get his name.”
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:48 pm
They will not get them.
What they will get is all of the mischief my old brain can dream up.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Well, Dave, I’ve been thinking about this for about a day and a half now, and I think I’ve come up with a sufficiently circumspect answer.
Blogging (or commenting) under our real names, instead of pseudonyms, does carry some risk if opinions stated are controversial.
First off, a door-to-door confiscation would HAVE to be preceded by a universal registration. Otherwise, the answer at the door would be “I don’t own a gun”. And if the LEOs then proceeded to search the house, well, I don’t think the public would stand for that for very long. Quite a serious violation of the Fourth Amendment, and likely to cause some LEO and citizen casualties, from misunderstandings if nothing else. See also: wrong-house drug raids.
Now, if a universal registration law were passed, that would be a different story. That would most likely require a change in the law, so that 4474 forms (records of original purchaser from a dealer) had to be submitted to BATFE. They would then be compiled (with some errors), and the government would then have a database of the original purchasers of firearms dating back to (iirc) 1968.
The big problem with that? There were an awful lot of guns in Americans’ hands prior to 1968; many still are. Since 1968, an awful lot of guns have been bought and then re-sold, in states that don’t require FFL handling of sales between private individuals.
So, in most of the USA, mandatory registration would actually be voluntary registration. Many people would simply decline to register their guns, and possibly hide them.
A door-to-door search for guns would only target, and find, the ones that were voluntarily registered.
And if the Federal Government went that far (especially with the punch telegraphed, as you described), the backlash would be formidable. From the soapbox, to the ballot box, this denial of our God-given rights, as protected by the Second Amendment, would take the scumburgers responsible right out of office. And the hidden guns would leave the cartridge box as the 3rd box that our Democratic Republic stands on.
That said, Brogan’s story is terribly disturbing. I have no use for Carl – “Take their guns, leave mine alone” is not a valid response.
Jcard21 has an answer I can agree with… just be smart about it.
October 22nd, 2008 at 11:29 pm
OBTW, I thought this was a good enough question to link from my blog, and reference BWH’s main page as well. Hopefully you’ll get more good feedback from the dozen or so readers I have
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:33 am
Part of me wants to go out in a blaze of glory, while the more pragmatic side of me says my family is more important than any guns I might have. So if they come to take anything away, it probably would be safer for all concerned if the guns were first.
I do think this election will be a turning point in our progress as a nation, and the “Good Old Days” will end up being on the far side of a big bloodstain in the streets. Of course I’m one of those who, in one candidate’s words “cling to their guns and religion” so maybe some of it will be mine.
Whatever happens, God is still in charge, and I’m just passing through.
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 am
I live in Canada, which already has a gun registry. Little do most Canadian gun owners know, it was been provided to US Homeland Security….Gee, I wonder why? I would like to get an unregistered gun soon, mostly for hunting but also to defend my person and property. Not against some random thug, but against the government itself. Government motives aren’t quite so blatant here, but they’re pretty much the same as in the US.
I am of the same feeling as one of the earlier posters….before I was married I would have holed up til the bitter end, but now that I have someone in my life that can be used as leverage against me I wouldn’t have much of a choice. All I can do is spread the word.
October 23rd, 2008 at 6:03 pm
In response to Aaron Neal: when you say, “I have no use for Carl – “take their guns, leave mine alone” is not a valid response.”, are you referring to me? If you are then I suggest you think about this for another day and a half and re-read my comment because what you quote-I never said. Basic high school English requires that if you put it into quotes…it actually has to be a quote. I’ve never heard of your blog and beyond your two comments here I know nothing about you, but I do know we don’t need any more bloggers who make up their own quotes, facts, reality, etc.
If you are trying to interpret what I meant, then you missed the point. The question was what would I do if they came for my guns. And what I am doing in anticipation of stricter gun laws is moving toward action types that I think will survive a ban. I’m not suggesting that any of us abandon the fight or sacrifice another person’s choice of firearms to appease the gun grabbers. My comment was simply describing what I am doing now.
And by the way, I think that the only thing that makes us free is our ability to oppose our government with force if necessary. Democracy is not enough to ensure our freedom. Elections, Congress, the Judiciary, the Executive branch can all be corrupted, and our founding fathers knew that. We tend to forget that they were all Traitors to their government (and I mean that in the best sense of the word). They were English citizens who overthrew the gonvernment here in the colonies to win their freedom. They understood that sometimes you have to fight for your freedom. I believe that the fight should be the absolute last resort, but I don’t think it will come to that in my lifetime. Even if that time came, I’m afraid that the people of this nation won’t fight. I’m afraid that we (as a nation-not as individuals) will just roll over and let them take control in return for “security.”
October 23rd, 2008 at 8:57 pm
When they come to get my guns…I have been thinking about this a lot. I am preparing my mind to to make a full out commitment to resist the unconstitutional surrender of my guns. My death might motivate some sleeping patriots to action.
Freedom is not Free, it come a a price sometimes a very high price.
October 24th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I too have given this a lot of thought, and blogged about it on my website. Although I would (legally) oppose any and all attempts to take my guns, if it came right down to it, I would peacefully give up my guns, not out of fear but because I believe that as a Christian I am to obey any authority that doesn’t contradict the Word of God. And I can’t find anything in the Bible that guarantees me the right to own weapons. But I don’t have to like it very much.
October 25th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Todd,
That is a very naïve point of view. Your rights are inalienable as in GOD given and not revocable by man. Man can impose his will, by force, but your rights still remain. Let me guess, you are referring to Romans 13. Romans 13, the often taken out of context bible passage that was used by Hitler to hoodwink Christians into supporting him, in order to teach them to “obey the government” when martial law is declared. Here are a few news clips that might change your thinking.
~Brogan
Clergy Response Teams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRIDNQNsUss
New American Theology of Civil Submission
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kGD14tDxa4
Katrina Gun confiscation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm5PC7z79-8
October 25th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Scary, but could certainly happen. I have several guns. What I plan on doing, if all political channels have failed, is to peacefully hand over the two old rifles that have worn barrels anyway, playing the “dumb woman” thing. And keeping my others hidden where NO ONE could find them. I’m not telling, even here! I am no sheep.
Anonymous
October 26th, 2008 at 10:05 am
An interesting thread-I’ve been thinking about this kind of thing for a while now. I will not ‘register’ my guns. I will not ‘give them up’ to any authority. I will defend my home and person. My family and friends will have to do the same-if they choose not to, I can’t help them. For a community to defend itself, everyone must be willing to help defend their neighbor. Those communities are few and far between, so finding one is a challenge. There can be no ‘Ruby Ridges’ or Wacos’ if the neighbors are willing to fight. BATFE, DEA, FBI, corrupt local cops are no match for armed and active local citizens. An honest Sheriff can stop a lot of Fed shenanigans before they start. He just has to have the guts and backing of the citizens to do it……I am a free man. No Government gave me my rights. I will not give them up without a fight. Overtly or covertly, I will fight them. Alone, if I have to. I will not be a sheep.
October 28th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
They may get a few – it depends on the context. But, they will not leave me completely disarmed and still alive. Lots of thought went into this – I have teenage kids. I will not leave them in a world of slavery, if I can help it. I will give my life – willingly – to resist, and hope that my effort helps to motivate others…
October 28th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
D.C. is full of crooks as we speak. The old saying “If they outlaw guns only outlaws (crooks) will have guns.” has never been truer. They will make working slaves out of almost all Americans if we don’t have the ability to fight back with guns. I don’t beleive the soldiers fighting for America right now will let the government be to restrictive on their families, friends, and fellow countrymen. When the greatest threat is your fellow countrymen then maybe it will be time to take up arms with a different group. I have no idea how that would happen or who you could trust. So i guess what i am saying is “They can have my gun when they pry my cold dead fingers from around it.”
October 28th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I WANT NO MISTAKES IN THIS MATER I AM AN AMERICAN AND BEING SO I BELIVE I HAVE CERTEN RIGHTS AND ONE IS THE RIGHT TO BE FREE ME AND ALL AMERICANS HAVE THIS RIGHT AND I WILL NOT LEAVE THIS COUNTRY FOR MY CHILDREN IN A STATE OF SLAVERY AND IF I MUST FORFIT MY LIFE FOR MY COUNTRY I WILL .IT IS NOT A EASY THING I HAVE SEEN HAPPEN HERE BUT TO TURN A BLIND EYE TO IT IS AS BIG A CRIME AS THEM WHO COMITE THE CRIMESS HEY NOW COMITE. WE AS AMERICANS HAVE NOT JUST THE RIGHT BUT THE RESPONABLY TO STAND UP AGINST A FOUL GOVERMENT!!!!!!!!! SO GOD BLESS AMERICA AND MY OUR SACRAFICE NOT GO UNNOTICED FOR WE ARE AMERICANS
October 29th, 2008 at 9:09 am
The thought of such thugs coming to the door to collect guns is sadly becoming a reality for us. It will likely be done by some foreign UN troops, as they would certainly have no problem shooting a citizen of the US. My best advice would be to “willingly” “give up” your REGISTERED firearms.. AND a few old boxes of ammo as well… convince them you are “participating” with their efforts “to make us safe…” ACT “concerned” and co-operative… This “registration” mess did nothing more than make a convenient database of those who have guns, what they have and where they live. It’s a sweet shopping list for whomever comes a-knockin’ … I am also convinced those who cannot produce the guns on the list will be “detained” as terrorists.. or at least “persons of interest”.
All the while, your HIDDEN UN-registered guns (and a stock of ammo) are safely hidden very well, elsewhere around the house/property. This would likely go a long way to making you blend in with all the other sheep that simply roll over and give in. On the other hand… making a big stink and resisting and getting arrested, etc. will definitely add you to the growing “persons of interest list” ( this sounds an awful lot like the thousands of “name lists” Stalin kept…. doesn’t it?)
I think the answer is to find and buy private sale unregistered guns and hide them. It is better to blend in and band with fellow, like-minded individuals and form a united underground resistence to it all.. as you can’t do any damage to the enemy sitting in on of the hundreds of current US Based concentration camps… oops, … err… FEMA camps.
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I too have tought long about this. The good thing is I have no registered firearms, so my response would be, ” Sorry I hate guns and don’t have any! Hope you get them all!”. I try to so far under the radar you might as well call me a submarine. Other than fuel and a few airline flights, I use money orders from a 7/11 or the like to make my purchase for WTSHTF! No paper trail here. I belong to no group, have never paid for any survival or firearms courses, keep my tax returns simple and I am wondering if I should reply to this. Trust is why but aferwards, I’ll be deleting and washing out my temp files!
November 5th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
i live in the uk and we have got some of the most draconian firearms laws in the world, and a police force that operates a shoot to kill policy on anyone who dares oppose them armed. if you do not fight you too will end up as us for barack obama is the same as tony blair and gordon brown. a bully who says one thing and will do another. and you WILL do as you are told or else!! so hide your guns do not register them and stock up on ammo, or you will lose the lot.
BTW a lot of brit journalists have opined that americans are stupid because you elected GWB. i now can confirm that at least 52% are as dumb as a box of rocks cos` they voted barry o in.
i really hope he is not the man i think he is, i pray for you all that he turns out to be a inept and spineless idiot.
if i could vote in the usa palin would get mine any time.
as couple of my israeli friends have said “time to stock up on food and ammo there`s bad sh@t coming our way”
November 6th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
They’d have to find them first!
Amazing how many metal pipes there can be in a single house. Messes up the metal detectors something awful.
November 8th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
I think, perhaps wrongly that this new national security police force B.O. spoke about at a press conference is an end run around the 2nd am. once in place that it will be stated “That it’s no longer needed” in place the ‘Securty force’ will defend the country. I think that’s how they’ll get around it. Having been to the Zepplin fields in Nuremburg, and seen the cult of personallity of Hitler/Obama, then this talk of what I see as an updated version of the ‘Brown shirts’. I have a bad feeling about this. History repeats, think about it.
December 12th, 2008 at 12:05 am
They’ll get them. There’s no way I can outlast a SWAT team…but I’m taking as many as I can with me. The entire point of the second amendment is to keep the power with the people, not the government. I believe if the government tried to take away all weapons, there would be a new civil war.
December 30th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I too, have been thinking of what I would do should it come to this.
When I was a much younger man, I swore an oath to “defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…”, as I am sure many of you have. I cannot speak for anyone else, but those are not just words to me. It was my promise to every freedom-loving US citizen that I would do everything in my power to ensure their Liberties remain intact.
And not only my fellow citizens, but the liberties of my children, grandchildren and soon-to-be great grandchildren.
To give in would dishonor all those who have made the supreme sacrifice to ensure our freedom. I know of no society, that once deprived of their arms, were able to gain them back peacefully. The order of events is generally thus: 1)registration, followed by 2)confiscation, followed by 3)annihilation.
I concur with Mr. Henry. I encourage all to read his speach of March 23, 1775, even if you’ve read it before. It can be found here:
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Give_me_liberty_or_give_me_death