Three Prepper Guns That Won’t Get Banned
As I write this, semi-automatic firearms have just been made illegal in New Zealand and bump-stocks have just been banned in the United States.
Banning firearms ownership is one hot political potato that’s getting tossed around all over these days, and while we don’t do politics here at Beans, Bullets, Bandages and You, we do make ONE exception. We are apologetically Pro-Second Amendment.
While I personally disagree with making any type of firearm illegal (yes, this includes fully automatic weapons) there have been many laws passed banning certain types of guns both on the federal and on the various state levels.
Paranoid Prepper, a New Jersey resident, has written about the ridiculous lengths the state of New Jersey goes to limit firearms. We all remember the so-called “assault weapons ban” of the 1990’s as well, don’t we?
The purpose of this article is to talk about three types of guns that are some of the least likely to be banned… while at the same time being prime choices for all prepping situations.
Note: Comments are welcome, but any comments that have any political overtones whatever will not be approved. Name calling is a waste of time here, we’ve never allowed it, we never will. There are Second Amendment supporters across the political spectrum. Really. I know some find that hard to believe but it’s quite true.
What causes a gun to be banned?
Let’s take a look at our most recent major gun ban, the infamous “assault weapons ban” of the 1990’s.
Instead of re-writing history, I’m going to borrow the following from Wikipedia:
“The Federal Assault Weapons Ban (AWB), officially the Public Safety and Recreational Firearms Use Protection Act, was a subsection of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, a United States federal law, which included a prohibition on the manufacture for civilian use of certain semi-automatic firearms that were defined as assault weapons as well as certain ammunition magazines that were defined as “large capacity“.
The 10-year ban was passed by the US Congress on September 13, 1994, following a close 52–48 vote in the US Senate, and was signed into law by US President Bill Clinton on the same day. The ban applied only to weapons manufactured after the date of the ban’s enactment. It expired on September 13, 2004, in accordance with its sunset provision.”
Legislative Stupidity Alert!
What got guns defined as “assault weapons” you ask? Revisiting Wikipedia:
- Semi-automatic firearm capable of accepting a detachable magazine
- Folding or telescoping (collapsible) stock, which reduces the overall length of the firearm
- A pistol grip that protrudes beneath the action of the weapon
- Bayonet lug which allows the mounting of a bayonet
- Threaded barrel, which can accept devices such as a flash suppressor, Suppressor, compensator, muzzle brake,
- Grenade launcher
- Barrel shroud, which prevents burning of shooter’s arm or hand as a safety device.
The reason I titled this section “legislative stupidity” isn’t political, it’s just that some of these items are dumber than a sack of hammers.
Banning Bayonet lugs? Is there a huge bayoneting crisis in our country? Are there mass bayonet charges going on out there?
Barrel shroud? Seriously? Not burning one’s hands should be banned?
Grenade launcher? Was 1993 the year of the grenade terror?
Pistol Grip? Because having to hold onto a gun with a thumb hole stock makes it somehow less dangerous?
Idiocy.
The thing is… laws don’t have to make sense to get passed
Since we’ve seen in the past that the government is willing to ban the manufacture and sale of the above mentioned guns (at least), as preppers it’s probably a good idea to have some guns in our inventory that are far less likely to be banned.
The number two biggest risks of a gun ban, in my opinion, are semi-automatic weapons and detachable magazines.
Since most of the firearms that preppers talk about have both of these features, I think it’s wise for everybody to do some shopping for firearms that don’t have either one, but that would still be highly effective if the Stuff Hits The Fan (SHTF).
So let’s take a look at three gun types that are on the “least likely to get banned” section of the gun rack, one rifle, one handgun and one shotgun.
Lever Action Rifle
I gotta admit, I love lever guns. I’ve got several of them in different sizes and calibers.
My personal favorites include several Henry rifles, a blued .22, a .22 Golden Boy and a .357 steel Big Boy carbine.
Perhaps the most ubiquitous rifle in the Midwest (at least where hunting with a high-powered rifle is legal) is the vaunted .30-30 Marlin Model 336 in some variation.
I suspect there are more buck heads hanging on walls, and more freezers have been filled by the Model 336 than any other rifle out there. It’s the perfect deer rifle for shots 150 yards and in.
A little known fact by most people is that the firing ballistics of a standard .30-30 round out of a Model 336 is nearly identical to the AK-47’s 7.62×39 at 150 yards. Of course the impact differences are there once the round hits (the .30-30 generally uses heavier rounds, so impact damage can differ).
I’ve put a AK-47 tactical scope on my Model 336 and it works great.
Lever guns are fast enough to be used as personal defense weapons as well, and if you choose to use a pistol-caliber carbine (like a Henry Big-Boy) you can use the same ammunition as you do in your full-power long barrel revolver.
Full-Power Long Barrel Revolver
I also love me some wheelgun action!
I often carry a revolver as my main self-defense gun (either a Ruger LCR .357 or a Ruger Speed 6 .357 snubby) because they have one huge advantage over every other type of firearm.
A quality center-fire revolver will absolutely, positively go BANG every time you pull the trigger.
One of my favorites for a holster-carry self defense revolver is the Ruger GP100 series, like this one:
Mine is in .357 magnum, but you can get revolvers in many different calibers including much bigger rounds than a .357. For me, the .357 round is good enough though.
My one caveat when it comes to using a wheel gun for self defense is that it must be a double-action revolver. I prefer guns like the GP100 series that can be used single or double action.
Pump 12-gauge shotgun
Last and CERTAINLY not least is perhaps the greatest prepper gun of them all, the versatile and useful .12 gauge pump shotgun.
A good prepper choice would be a Remington Model 870 tactical. I like the 870’s because you can swap-out barrels and have a different barrel for each use… hunting, self defense, trap, etc. Like other guns, the 870 is a whole family of options, and I’m a big fan.
Many people keep a round chambered when using a pump shotgun for home defense, and I get that. Personally, I don’t. Why? Because if somebody is breaking into your house and they hear that “Schick Schick!” sound, they know what o’clock it is and are likely to leave. Besides, I keep some spare rounds on my stock, I can just thumb in the extra round if I need to.
Final Thoughts
Unless the Second Amendment is entirely bypassed, these three types of guns will remain both legal and not controversial, and I think it’s a good idea as a prepper to have a few of these types of weapons in the inventory.
Even setting aside a possible ban, all three of these types of guns stand on their own as excellent prepping choices.
What do YOU think? Let me know in the comments!
If someone made a revolver that fit my hand like a 1911, I’d have one. That being said I love lever guns, too
Salty maybe I misunderstand your posting. Do you really think if you turn in your “Evil Black Guns” they will leave you with your less threatening weapons and go away? I hope and pray your correct but History of Gun Control shows clearly once they get serious about disarming law abiding citizens all firearms will be targeted for elimination. Right now they are simply going for the low hanging fruit, the easily demonized weapons. No amount of logic will defend your rights, they will simply change the definitions or change legal avenues. Only criminals will have guns because they do not comply. In the former Soviet Union as well as China they used “Good Citizen” awards of food and such to those that turned in gun owners.
Friends expect that your own neighbors (maybe HUNGRY Family members) will be “Good Citizens” and you will be reported for suspected weapons ownership. Some people will report you just for fun or vengeance (SWATTING anyone?).
Frankly as a History Buff the situation is very grim. If your weapon is registered (or bought through a FFL Gun shop) it’s yours only as a LOAN from the Benevolent Government. If your weapon is not registered but you happen to buy ammo or gun supplies with a Credit Card your on the Database. Think this through carefully, talk to your beloved spouse and kids if they are willing to die for your rights.
Yes, they may not be able to get every gun owner as some police and soldiers will refuse to obey but are you and your family willing to be the first “Examples” taken out with CNN News Helicopters hovering overhead for the 10 O-clock news.
Grim times indeed.
I think people are misreading what I am saying in some ways, yes.
What I am saying is that, as history has shown, some guns are more likely to be banned than others. Semi-automatic guns are being targeted specifically. This isn’t a supposition, this is a fact.
Sure, there are places that ban some models of revolvers, but I don’t know of a single state that has a ban on lever guns or pump shotguns.
There are some people who would like to ban all guns, but it’s a very small minority. There are a whole lot more that want to ban semi-auto guns, which obviously I am opposed to. Still, when the rubber hits the road, I’d rather have some guns that I know are in the least likely to be banned list just like I want to have some food that I know will last 30 years.
It’s prepping, and I’m prepping for a future that may be on the horizon, like it or not.
Besides, all three types of guns listed here are some of my FIRST choices, not my last. I EDC a revolver, I bushwalk around the place with a lever gun. My primary home defense gun is a 12-gauge pump.
If all guns are banned, then none of this matters anyway.
My best friend for 40 yrs. is a state cop. He is issued an M4 carbine as his “trunk gun”. He supplies his own trunk gun also – a Win. 30-30 carbine and this is the one he says he will use if he ever has to. Why I ask?
“Because if I ever have to shoot some asshole, it will play a lot better on the news or in front of a jury if I’m holding a 30-30 than an AR .” A lever hunting rifle is innocuous to most folks. An AR is not.
But what about “firepower”? “A human is about the same weight and size as our whitetail deer. The 30-30 works just fine on them.” Nuff said.
I’d agree with the DA revolver, but, I also like the SSA Colt or clone in .45 Colt along with a copy of the Colt Lightning pump rifle in .45 Colt. The Ruger Red Hawk in .44 mag and any of the .44 mag rifles (lever or auto) would also be a good bet
The monkeys will take all the monkey nuts, it’s what monkeys do. Expecting them to leave a few on the table for your convenience in dire times might prove to be an overreaching expectation! Regards
I’d include tube fed 22’s such as the Marlin Model 60.
You would be wrong if you think that gun banners will leave alone the .22lr rimfire weapons. It’s a firearm. They will take all of the guns they can identify and restrict your access to ammo and ranges. Even air rifles and bows are becoming subject to controls.
You immediately backtrack from your title to well “least likely to get banned”.
You might want to look at Australia or Mexico and realize the extent of a true gun ban.
Also do your research right here in Kalifornia where even some revolvers are not on the approved sales list. Many pump shotguns are outright illegal there too.
No weapon is safe. This type of thinking is dangerous because you think you are safe because you only have XY&Z.
Matt please tell me which of “many ” pump shotguns are banned in California
Pump shotguns are banned in Australia, and are included in the New Zealand ban. In the end we MAY be able to retain our break-open doubles.
SPAS 12 which is both Semi and Pump. All models that have a cylinder no matter the action. The list is possibly expanding to those that hold over 5 rounds as well. That will include the 590 and others. They aren’t “safe” because of pending legislation.
It’s not hard just google it
Probably the best thing is to move out of those states that are well on their way down the road to Perdition. When you get to a better state then don’t relocate to large metropolitan areas but rather the small town/rural areas that are some distance away from the metro areas.
Shall not be infringed.
Salty I guess I’m not the only one to tell you that ALL guns are bring targeted not just the “Evil Black Ones”. My prior reply about the History of Gun Control must have been too political even though I deliberately made sure I mentioned no political parties as I disrespect them all as sociopaths intent on running everybody’s life.
Only criminals will have guns soon enough in America as plenty of gun owners in NJ know that they are simply uncharged (police term) criminals for failing to turn in their full capacity AR magazines a year or two ago.
Grim times ahead think hard and prepare.
@Micahel, something is going on with your posts that has NOTHING to do with the content. For some reason, they are being deleted and we aren’t doing it. It’s saving them, so I can go back and restore them, I just have no idea what’s up. There is no “content filter” other than my eyes, but for some reason it’s deleting some of your posts randomly.
Dunno. Your post was not too political. There have been several that were that I’m not posting, but if you see one of your posts that shows up then disappears, let me know. Posts that don’t pass my “politics” muster never make it to the page.
I agree with you Salty, the last rung on the ladder is the weapons you mentioned..
I think a small hide-out gun is essential as well. A .38 snubbie would accept the ammunition that can be shared with that .357 revolver mentioned above. The GP-100 is a lifetime gun, but I think the lighter weight of what it replaced (the Security-Six) was plenty strong enough as is.
I like lever guns too and to me, the lever .357 Magnum makes a lot of sense. More versatile than the 30-30 Winchester, which is admittedly a GREAT deer rifle.
Thanks for the post.
IDK how many times I’ve said it here…but I’ll say it again: I agree 100% with Salty on the lever gun-revolver combo as a highly practical prepper weapons system. The .357 out of a long barrel…like 22″ to 24″ and using tailored loadings can produce muzzle energies approaching that of 5.56. I needn’t mention that there are some great companion revolvers available. My wheelgun is an 8-shot revolver which uses moon clips. Call me an idiot if you wish, but I have voluntarily elected to NOT buy an AR style rifle or a high-cap polymer framed semi auto…because my complete confidence in my levergun-revolver combo. Other benefits include the ability to freely travel in and through most of the lower 48 states…without having to worry about running afoul of local laws banning hi-cap weapons. Yet another benefit is price…you can get a nice Rossi 1892 or a Marlin 336 for $500 tops. The lack of detachable magazines in these systems….also helps keep costs and complications down.
“Many people keep a round chambered when using a pump shotgun for home defense, and I get that. Personally, I don’t. Why? Because if somebody is breaking into your house and they hear that “Schick Schick!” sound, they know what o’clock it is and are likely to leave….”
While I agree with 95% of this article, this paragraph bothered me. People who are familiar with firearms don’t keep a shell chambered because most all shotguns are NOT drop safe, meaning if it gets dropped the likely hood of it discharging is very good even with the safety on. Then the racking of a pump action does nothing to intimidate a badguy/gal. In some instances police reports have shown it to actually make the badguy/gal decide to fight instead of flight. I’m kind of surprised it didn’t mention black powder firearms, that’s where I thought it was going to go, but overall good thought provoking article.
You are right, it’s not a good idea, but cocked & locked is pretty common for 12-gauge pumps. I don’t keep mine that way (nor do I keep a round chambered in my carry handgun, although a lot of people tell me that’s wrong too).
At my house you’ll hear, click ‘BOOM’, then schick shick! (safety, fire and reload)
You are wrong in the title: they will ban EVERY firearm. NZ is already restricting pump shotguns, because they are effective short-range anti-personnel weapons. A lever-action is a “repeater” and is too dangerous to the 1% to be allowed loose in the world. Every pistol of any caliber or mechanism is concealable death for the 1%, and must be restricted from patriots or nationalists. Then, the knives.
The last thing we should be doing is concocting articles that even contemplate our guns being banned.
Where’s your backbone?
They can ban all they want, I WILL NOT COMPLY.
Precisely! There is NO POINT in having a 2nd Amendment at all if people are too afraid to use their weapons to defend their rights. The proper attitude is, “I would rather die than live on my knees.” Once you give up your most effective weapons, you WILL live on your knees. And those who comply with such a ban will make things much harder for those who have the courage to resist.
We all have to die someday. Might as well make it count, if they push us that far. Take some thugs with you!
1) Second the motion for lever gun being a feasible substitute for an auto, but as a fighting gun the Henrys don’t have a loading gate, and thus can’t be reloaded while continuing to fire.
2) I would add a small revolver and a scoped bolt action center fire. 3 is an arbitrary figure.
3) Shotguns: my choice is round up the spout. No kids in my house. YMMV. When the time comes to deploy a shotgun to repel boarders I don’t want to be making scary noises. The 1st round is a 3″ #000, followed by 7 S&B 12x#00. Lather, rinse, repeat.
4) Recent court ruling to protect standard capacity magazines at least gives hope.
5) Kapitulieren? Nein!
Not so sure about the 12ga pump not being banned.
Side-by-side or over/under, maybe.
That being said I like my Mossie 500
You guys crack me up. All I would do is sic my wife on the intruder then roll back over and get some sleep.