A lot of people spend thousands of dollars on firearms and accessories, but when it comes to training or protecting their investments, they tighten up. A good hard case may cost a couple hundred dollars but will probably save you money and heartbreak in the long run. Think of it as insurance; if you take your rifle to the range, travel, or fly, a good case is a must have.

By J. Bridger, contributing author to Survival Cache and SHTFblog

Enter the 5.11 Tactical Hard Case. Taking this case out of the box, it was obvious right away that it is very well-made. It looks great. It has four beefy hinges and four latches. The outside dimensions are approximately 38.5”x 17”x 7″, and it weighs a hair over 17 pounds when empty (this differs slightly from the website specs). The case is injection molded from high strength polypropylene co-polymer resins. It is dust proof, crush proof, and watertight. The lid has foam glued inside. There are two removable foam inserts – one 1.75” thick, and one foam pad 0.5” thick. With inside dimensions of 36.5”x 14.5”, The 5.11 Tactical Hard Case can easily accommodate a 16” AR style rifle with the stock retracted, and its associated goodies.

Also Read: The Katrina Pistol Part I

The 5.11 Tactical Hard Case has two wheels on one end. I’ve never used a roller bag, but I could get used to this! It’s much easier to roll than carry, especially if you’re walking a long way in an airport. There are 4 metal reinforced padlock holes, and a pressure valve to regulate pressure inside the case. This is for pressure changes due to elevation and temperature fluctuation, to prevent damage to the case. The case surpasses current applicable Military Standards MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-648C.

The 5.11 website says this Tactical Hard Case is waterproof (to MIL-C-4150 Standards), even if fully submersed. As soon as I read that, I knew I’d have to test it out! Here’s some knowledge for you: Archimedes’ principle says the buoyant force exerted on a body in a fluid is equal to the weight of the fluid it displaces. Water weighs 62.4 pounds per cubic foot. If you have a box that displaces 1 cubic foot of water, you would have to put 62.4 pounds of force on that box to submerge it. That means, since this case is 38.5”x 17”x 7”, or 2.65 cubic feet, it would take 165 lbs to fully submerge it. Because the case weighs 17 pounds, assuming the case was a perfect rectangle, and with my weight being a lean 160 pounds, well, the case should sink if I stood on it. So, in theory, you can load this 5.11 case down with as much gear as you want (short of lead ingots) and it will still float. (And you probably didn’t think you’d learn anything here today). I filled the tub and tossed the case in. It floated without any problem. I stood on the 5.11 rifle case to submerge it, and waited until I got bored, which honestly didn’t take long. I took the case out of the bath, and upon opening, found that everything inside had remained bone dry. From what I’ve tested, you can rest assured this case is waterproof.  However, it did sink under my weight, so you will need to buy a separate stand-up paddle board.

Using this case is absolutely a delight! I use it to carry my guns to and from the truck when I go shooting in the desert. It fits behind the seats perfectly. I don’t have to worry about my optic going out of zero while it’s getting banged around on dirt roads. It keeps the harsh Vegas sun off my fine Rust-Oleum finish and the dust out of my Glock magazines. The handles are decently sized, well placed, and comfortable. People think the custom looking foam cutouts are right out of a John Wick movie (excellent Instagram material, btw). This 5.11 hard-sided case is light years ahead of my soft case. If you have the means, you absolutely should treat yourself.

 Cutting the Foam

To cut a silhouette of your firearm and accessories, you should start by placing them on the foam to get an idea of how much room you have and how you will arrange them. I tried to keep at least two inches of foam between items, but it didn’t always work out. That’s okay. I arranged my goodies on the foam mirrored from how I wanted them; that way the sharpie lines wouldn’t be facing up. There are several ways you can cut the foam. You can try a long-bladed utility knife, filet knife, electric knife, or a hot wire. I decided to use an electric knife from Walmart, just to make my life easier. It was only $15, and it gave me an excuse to look at gun magazines and buy a corndog. The electric knife made cutting the foam a breeze. Don’t force the blade through the foam, just let it do its thing and trace slowly around the inside of your lines. If you cut exactly on your lines, the cutout will be too big. I recommend cutting at least ¼” inside your tracing. When you pull your firearm from the case, the top layer of foam may come out with it. You can glue the top layer to the layer underneath, if you wish. Spray glue or Gorilla Glue are two options I am considering.

 Flying with a Firearm

There are a lot of reasons to fly with a firearm. A hunting trip, a training course, so you can carry your CCW at your destination, or just for the hell of it. It still is America, after all (in most places). Because the 5.11 Tactical Hard Case is a lockable rigid case with wheels, it is perfect for transporting via aircraft. Flying with a firearm is still easier than you might think.

First, check your local laws. Some places are not as gun friendly as others (we all know where I mean). Just to be clear, you cannot bring a firearm in your carry-on bag…even if you have a CCW, and even if the firearm is locked up. You cannot take magazines, gun parts, or ammo in your carry-on bag. However, per the TSA website, you CAN take rifle scopes in your carry-on bag.

Secondly, I would definitely check your airline’s website. They may have specific information on how much ammunition you can bring with you, and where and how to declare your firearm.

Also read: Building a TSA- Approved Bug Out Bag

Lastly, you need to check your firearm when you get to the terminal. I strongly dislike checking bags, but in this case, you will have to. This is a pretty easy process. All you must do is declare the case and firearms at the ticket counter. The idea of carrying my firearm into an airport made me pretty uneasy the first time; these days, people lose their minds over gun shaped Pop Tarts (I’m not kidding). Just be sure to keep the firearm locked up. You can call ahead at the airport if you gives you a warm and fuzzy.

When you arrive at your destination, all that’s left is to pick your firearms case up at the baggage claim at your destination. Just to be on the safe side, I take a picture of everything in the case and make sure I have the serial numbers written down. If you have a personal article policy through your insurance provider, they may cover your goods in the event something happens. Regarding locks, per the TSA website, “Only the passenger should retain the key or combination to the lock unless TSA personnel request the key to open the firearm container to ensure compliance with TSA regulations.” The TSA also states: “You may use any brand of or type of lock to secure your firearm case, including TSA-recognized locks.”

As far as ammunition goes, the amount you can fly with varies by airline. 11 pounds seems to be pretty standard. That’s about 350-400 rounds of 5.56 NATO or 9×19, give or take (despite their size differences, the two cartridges are pretty close in weight). The ammunition must be completely enclosed in a box (cardboard, plastic, etc.) or magazine. I take that to mean Magpul P-mags with the dust cover in place are OKAY, but aluminum GI mags that are open at the top are NOT okay. The TSA agent of the day will have the final judgement call on that. The ammunition can be transported in the same case as your firearm, and the firearm must be unloaded (no magazine inserted).

Back To Your Regularly Scheduled 5.11 Tactical Hard Case Review

If you can afford a good rigid case, I highly recommend it! A hard case will make your life easier and will help you exercise your second amendment rights away from home. 5.11 also carries 42” and  50” rigid cases for your longer hunting rifles or shotguns; they even offer handgun and camera sized rigid cases. If you’d like something soft with more storage, 5.11 offers options for you as well. And here’s my favorite detail: they’re made in the USA!

What do you think? Does a hard sided case make your SHTF plan or get daily use? Sound off in the comments below!

 

References:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/transporting-firearms-and-ammunition

MIL-C-4150J, MILITARY SPECIFICATION: CASES, TRANSIT AND STORAGE, WATERPROOF AND WATER-VAPORPROOF (29 NOV 1989). Scope: This specification establishes the requirements for rigid, reusable, fire retardant, waterproof and water-vapor proof, rectangular cases manufactured from ferrous or non-ferrous metals or non-metallic materials.

MIL-STD-648C, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DESIGN CRITERIA STANDARD: SPECIALIZED SHIPPING CONTAINERS (11 FEB 1999). Scope: This standard establishes general design guidelines and associated tests for specialized shipping containers used by the Department of Defense. Definitive requirements for specific containers will be defined by the individual specification, acquisition, or task order. This standard is intended to be used as the basic reference document in all specifications and standards prescribing performance requirements to be applied to a shipping container.

MIL-STD-810G, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TEST METHOD STANDARD: ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS AND LABORATORY TESTS (31 OCT 2008) (24 MB)., Scope: This standard contains material acquisition program planning and engineering direction for considering the influences that environmental stresses have on materiel throughout all phases of its service life.

The post Survival Gear Review: 5.11 Tactical Hard Case appeared first on Survival Cache.

Man is a social being, no man is an island… we hear these phrases so often in this life. There is no society more complex than that of humans because surviving is not only about preserving one’s own life, but protecting those around us. Of course, there are those extremists who tend to be antisocial loners, but for the most part we have a desire and need to surround ourselves with other people, even in survival situations. Our chances for surviving increase when we are part of a group. Being part of a group means that that we can give and receive protection and help in the most desperate of times.

Surviving Alone: Is It Possible?

Being part of a group enhances the chances of survival for each member. The group supports the individual and the individual supports the group. As individuals work together to gather food and other resources, hunt or build shelter, each member benefits from the combined manpower. Defending a home or bug out location becomes easier. Life outside the comforts of the home would definitely demand a lot of work every day, and a group can help everyone reach their survival goals.

When it comes to surviving in a SHTF situation, it can be tempting to break off from the pack and fend for yourself. But is this your best bet for survival?

Click here for the full post.

The “Lone Wolf” mentality will get you killed

Arm chair warriors are a dime-a-dozen.  For many years I have seen this in martial arts discussions, tactical shooting discussions and now in survival discussions.  It seems that there is a relatively low percentage of the population that thinks that if the ship-hits-the-sand so to speak, that they are going to go-it alone and survive off the land.

Forgive me for being blunt here.  If you are one of those people I want to thank you right now.  When you die after a couple of months (probably less) of that lone wolf mentality there will be more resources for me and mine.  Seriously, thank you.

There is a fringe group of people out there who think they will just up and leave and make it on their own.  Some of the obvious points that are not considered when thinking you will be able to accomplish this are:

1.  Have you ever done this before and for how long?  If you have never engaged in long term (months long) trips into the wild subsisting on what you gather, forage, trap and hunt.  Then you are not going to make it unless there is a huge amount of luck on your side.  For me personally, I do not believe in luck, blessings yes, but luck, no.

2. What happened to the people you left behind?  So lets say you are the average family man, who has a job, its labor intensive, you work hard, real hard.  You spend a great deal of time each day working in all sorts of weather, etc.  You are tough, there is no doubt about it.  For some reason you think that translates into you being able to hack your way into the wilderness.  Whether that wilderness is trees or buildings is inconsequential here.  In your mind, you can make it.  But what about your family, friends, etc.  Are you simply going to walk away from them.  Do you for some reason think you are going to kill big game and drag it back to the house for them?  When was the last time you drug a deer that far?

via The “Lone Wolf” mentality will get you killed – Dan’s Survival Depot.

Of course there is always a chance that you will end up when SHTF. But you should still plan and strive for survival in a group. Having other people around will greatly increase your chances of surviving, for so many reasons.

Reality can be cruel, but you can at least hope to still have your family with you when it goes down. Having a group around to help and support you can be a source of strength in a survival situation. All of the difficulties are easier to deal with when you have other people to rely on. Living alone can elicit feelings of isolation and can lead to depression. Surviving together with those you love is not an added complication, but a blessing.

Check out related articles from our site:

How To Test Your Family’s Survival Skills

The Psychology of Survival – Why Your Mind Matters Most

16 Creature Comforts For When You Need To Hunker Down

Infamous CNN propagandist Chris Cuomo attempted to prove President Donald Trump wrong live on-air. Instead, a cringe-worthy moment earned Cuomo nationwide facepalms.

CNN’s Chris Cuomo attempted to prove President Donald Trump wrong about whether a non-speakerphone call could be overheard by a bystander. He did this by calling his mother, live on air. Cuomo called up his mom to disprove Trump’s claim that “he’s never been able to hear a phone call when it wasn’t on speakerphone from anybody.” Cuomo then asked his mom to say hello to his co-host, Dana Bash. If Cuomo was right, and Trump was wrong, Bash should have been able to hear Mom’s voice. It didn’t quite go that way.

Chris Cuomo calls his mom to prove you can hear someone talking on the phone without speakerphone and it was… something.

"Can you just say hello? Mom? She probably can't hear me. Mom, can you hear me? Mom? Say hello to Dana Bash." pic.twitter.com/KImamgOCxf

— Danielle Misiak (@DanielleMisiak) November 21, 2019

Nothing is more satisfying than these propaganda peddling nut jobs proving themselves wrong. The manipulative stunt fell flat, leaving Bash expectantly staring at the phone. Cuomo quickly pressed speakerphone, allowing everyone in the room to hear his mother’s voice briefly, then switched it off and again asked her to talk. After a few awkward seconds of silence, he nevertheless declared victory even as a co-host protested he’d heard nothing.

Cuomo has been mocked on Twitter since, with some using his much-hated nickname “Freddo.”

Propagandist UNHINGED: Anchor Loses It Over Nickname

OMG – this is rich. I guess Fredo didn't take notes during the OJ trial.

"Can you just say hello? Mom? She probably can't hear me. Mom, can you hear me? Mom? Say hello to Dana Bash."https://t.co/KHHUEpjcSo

— Dave Hidding (@thinkofdave) November 21, 2019

Transcript from convo:

Chris : Mom? Can you hear me?

Chris’ Mom: Fredo? Is that you ? Fredo I’m here. How are you? Fredo?

Chris: She probably can’t hear me.

— Jade Lupinacci (@LupyMagic) November 21, 2019

Cuomo’s stunt was a response to Trump’s insistence that Holmes could not possibly have overheard Trump’s side of the conversation in which Trump supposedly asked Sondland whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would “do the investigations” and Sondland replied that the leader would “do anything you ask him to.” By “the investigations,” Trump was presumably referring to the corruption probe of natural gas company Burisma that allegedly formed part of a quid pro quo between Trump and Zelensky, along with an inquiry into Ukrainian meddling in the 2016 election.

Holmes called his eavesdropping “an extremely distinctive experience in my Foreign Service career,” shocked that “a conversation of this level of candor, colorful language” could unfold between the president and a diplomat while he, Holmes, was seated at dinner with him. –RT

Trump called the aide out on Twitter, noting that while he’d “been watching people making phone calls my entire life…never have I been watching a person making a call, which was not on speakerphone, and been able to hear or understand a conversation” – even when straining to listen.

I have been watching people making phone calls my entire life. My hearing is, and has been, great. Never have I been watching a person making a call, which was not on speakerphone, and been able to hear or understand a conversation. I’ve even tried, but to no avail. Try it live!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 21, 2019

If you ever have carried a handgun bigger than an LCP, you know that concealing is its own challenge.

A small handgun like the LCP or Diamond Back DB9 is a compromise, often sacrificing power, accuracy, controllability and capacity for carry comfort. While a mouse gun may be better than nothing, it’s still only just a little better than a sharp stick.

Proper holsters, belts and clothing can make carrying a large weapon easier, and even more comfortable. Accessing the weapon, though, isn’t always optimum, but that’s where the style of clothes come into play. They enhance not only accessibility, but also comfort.

With the rise in popularity of concealed carry it only makes sense that more companies would come forward to fill a niche with holsters, guns and now clothes. These clothes are designed especially for concealed carriers. This is a welcome change from buying a gun to fit around your clothing; now you can fit your gun around your clothing.

Winter Wear

Winter has always been the time to carry a big gun. The jackets and sweatshirts have always made it just a little easier to conceal a weapon. Concealing is easy, but as soon as you start adding layers of thick clothing, your draw quickly becomes slow and difficult. So the fact is, baggy clothes mean easy concealment, but difficult draw. Hoodies tend to snag and catch, and jackets can do the same.

1. Under Armour Soas Storm Hoodie

The biggest issue with concealing a weapon is the concealed part. Sure, no one can see the gun, but do you look like you are carrying? The biggest assumption about concealed carry clothes is their tactical appearance. Under Armour is an extremely popular brand.

They started in the sport clothing business and have slowly expanded into the tactical market. This was spurred because of the number of military personnel who loved their clothing. This hoodie is a combination of both the sports and tactical sides of the company.

This hoodie looks like the average Under Armour hoodie, and sports its well-known wicking ability as well as its water resistance. The hoodie is, of course, both warm and comfortable, and very high quality. The tactical part is the opening in the kangaroo pouch that allows easy and quick access to an appendix-style holster.

Deception is the rule of thumb, and no one suspects anything when a guy has his hands in his hoodie pocket. The opening inside the pocket is wide and easy to access, and it is very easy to pull a gun through it. From the kangaroo pouch to the draw is smooth and easy.

2. Scott Alpha Jacket

The Scott Alpha Jacket is in its own category of awesome. It is chock full of pockets to conceal any and everything. The Scott Alpha Jacket features 35 pockets to carry a cell phone, a tablet, a pen, extra ammo, and of course a gun. The Alpha Jacket is a stylish design that stays away from the operator look as well.

The Alpha Jacket allows a quick access universal holster for up to a Glock 19-sized gun. The not-so-compact gun fits in very nicely. The extra pockets could be used to store as much ammunition as you could possibly desire, or simply fill them with everyday needs. The jacket even has pockets in the sleeves to hide a knife or flashlight.

3. CCW Breakaways

One of the best ways to conceal carry a weapon has to be these pants. Available as khakis, cargo pants and jeans, these concealed carry pants are designed to carry a weapon at the front part of the thigh for maximum comfort when sitting and flexibility when moving.

Like the name suggests, the pocket breaks away to reveal the weapon for quick and easy access. This type of carry is for those who wear a tucked-in shirt and despise the uncomfortable and slow draw tucked-in holsters. The khakis are great for the office and the jeans for off-work wear. The pants are tough and dependable, and are definitely premium in quality.

How to hide your guns, and other off grid caches…

The breakaway pockets are on both sides and are accessible for left or right handers. The pockets are capable of concealing large pistols and the material resists printing. The size of the person wearing the pants will determine the size of the gun capable of carrying.

4. 5.11 Tactical Holster Shirt

This undershirt style of carry has become more and more popular. The 5.11 Undershirts are remarkably tough and a very concealed and comfortable way to carry. The 5.11 shirts do require a cover garment such as a button down shirt. This does form a deep concealment holster and can be worn under a suit with or without a suit jacket.

For normal quick access carry, the button down garment can be left open and the holster carries like a shoulder rig without the bulky straps. The Undershirt comes with a left- and right-handed pocket holster. The extra pocket can conceal another firearm or extra ammo. The 5.11 holster is capable of carrying a full-sized weapon, which is a major advantage over a mouse gun. A full size Sig with 15 to 17 rounds of fire power beats six rounds of .380 from a Glock 42 any day.

5.11 isn’t the only brand or option for concealed carry shirts, either. Undertech produces a lightweight mesh sleeveless shirt and a long sleeve concealed carry shirt for winter wear. Speaking of Undertech …

5. Undertech Concealment Shorts

“Shorts” is a bit deceiving when describing these, as they actually are tight compression shorts that in reality are underwear. The Undertech Concealment Shorts pack a universal holster held in place with tight elastic. This holster places the weapon in the small of the back and can be worn left or right handed. The shorts are available for both men and women. The shorts are completely tuckable if necessary and act as a simple IWB holster, without the need for a belt. They could easily be worn with gym shorts or sweat pants. The Undertech Shorts are available as singles or in packs of three.

As you can see, this industry is growing on an almost daily basis. With concealed carry on the rise, companies are gleefully stepping up to fill the void of comfortable and functional ways to carry a weapon. This goes for holsters, clothes and even for guns themselves. The advent of these clothes by major brands like 5.11 and Under Armour are only a preview of what is to come if concealed carry keeps growing in popularity. With recent law changes in Washington D.C., California and Illinois, it’s easy to see that concealed carry is going nowhere anytime soon.

What types of clothes do you wear when concealing? Share your thoughts in the section below: 

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The post How To Pack Heat With Absolutely No One Knowing appeared first on Off The Grid News.

A shocking new study that was just released has discovered that an epidemic of anal cancer is sweeping across America.  At one time this sort of cancer was very rare in the United States, but experts are telling us that a shift in sexual behavior has caused “a dramatic rise” in the disease in this country.  Of course this is not the only type of cancer that has been exploding in recent years.  These days, just about everyone knows somebody with cancer, and it is truly a major national crisis.  In fact, scientists tell us that about a third of all women and about half of all men will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives…

Cancer will affect 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women in the United States, and the number of new cases of cancer is set to nearly double by the year 2050. Both predictions are based on statistics collected by the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program at the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Today, Americans spend more than 140 billion dollars a year treating cancer.

That is “billion” with a “b”.

I am looking at that number right now and I am still having a difficult time believing that it is true, but it comes straight from the federal government.

Anal cancer certainly isn’t as prominent as breast cancer, lung cancer and prostate cancer, but this new study that just came out found that the number of cases has “increased dramatically over the last 15 years”…

Rates of new anal cancer diagnoses and deaths related to human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted infection, have increased dramatically over the last 15 years, according to researchers at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth). The results of their study were published in the November issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

And according to CNN, the increase has been particularly dramatic among a couple of key demographic groups…

“Our findings of the dramatic rise in incidence among black millennials and white women, rising rates of distant-stage disease, and increases in anal cancer mortality rates are very concerning,” the study’s lead author, Ashish A. Deshmukh, an assistant professor at UTHealth School of Public Health, said in a statement. “Given the historical perception that anal cancer is rare, it is often neglected.”

So why is this happening?

There are certainly a lot of reasons, but the study did specifically identify a major change in sexual behavior as one of the key driving factors.  The following comes from CNN…

Since the 1950s, there have been substantial changes in risk factors for anal cancer, including shifts in sexual behaviors and an increased number of sexual partners, according to the study, both of which increase the likelihood of contracting HPV.

According to the study, the vast majority of anal cancer cases are caused by the HPV virus.  In fact, it actually tops the list of the National Cancer Institute’s list of risk factors…

The good news is that you can dramatically reduce your chance of getting the disease by avoiding high risk behaviors.

Today, it is way too easy to catch the HPV virus.  According to the New York Post, approximately 79 million Americans are currently infected…

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease, infecting some 79 million Americans. In its benign form, it goes undetected, often subdued by our body’s immune system. In some cases, though, it produces warts. And, if left untreated, more extreme strains of the virus could cause cancer.

That means that nearly one out of every four Americans has the virus.

Do you really want to gamble with your health?  You may beat the odds a few times, but eventually your luck is going to run out.

If you think that you may have this sort of cancer, there are certain symptoms that you should look for.  The following list comes from the National Cancer Institute…

Sadly, other unusual forms of cancer are also escalating rapidly.  In fact, it was recently reported that oral cancer has risen to record high levels.

If you have ever known someone that has died from cancer, then you already know how horrible such a death can be.  Anyone that is suffering through such a fate needs our love, our compassion, and our prayers.

As our culture has steadily deteriorated, we have opened the door for so much unnecessary pain and suffering.  Every choice that we make has consequences, and as a society we just keep making disastrous choices.

Let me give you a very basic example.  At one time millions upon millions of Americans were heavy smokers, and those that smoked got a lot of enjoyment out of it.  Unfortunately, many of those same individuals eventually developed lung cancer, and many of them died way before they should have.

Smoking is not nearly as prevalent today, but other high risk behaviors have exploded in popularity.  When we engage in those high risk behaviors, we shouldn’t be surprised when there are consequences later on.

And just as there are consequences for individual behavior, so there are also consequences for societal behavior as a whole.

Every year, the extreme social decay that is eating away at our society seems to get even worse.  We need to alter our course and change our behavior while we still can, because the road that are are currently on doesn’t lead anywhere good.

About the Author: I am a voice crying out for change in a society that generally seems content to stay asleep. My name is Michael Snyder and I am the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe. I have written four books that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned) By purchasing those books you help to support my work. I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but due to government regulations I need those that republish my articles to include this “About the Author” section with each article. In order to comply with those government regulations, I need to tell you that the controversial opinions in this article are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the websites where my work is republished. This article may contain opinions on political matters, but it is not intended to promote the candidacy of any particular political candidate. The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions. Those responding to this article by making comments are solely responsible for their viewpoints, and those viewpoints do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of Michael Snyder or the operators of the websites where my work is republished. I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.

A new “cold war” has officially begun, and it could potentially throw the entire world into a state of chaos.  As you will see below, China is warning the U.S. to “rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice” as the conflict between our two nations threatens to spiral out of control.  This week, the Senate and the House of Representatives both passed the “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019”, and this new law is essentially a public declaration that the U.S. government fully supports the protesters in Hong Kong.  For the past five months, violent protests have been rocking the streets of Hong Kong, and this week we witnessed the worst violence yet.  Hong Kong police conducted an extended siege of protesters that were holed up at a university campus, and the horrific human rights violations have shocked the whole planet.  Since the beginning of the siege, hundreds of protesters have been injured and more than 1,000 of them have been arrested.  It is a major crisis, and our representatives in Congress felt compelled to do something.

But to the Chinese, this move by Congress is being viewed as a direct intervention in their internal affairs.  The protesters in Hong Kong want independence from China, and that is a very noble goal, but the communist Chinese government will never, ever allow that to happen.  For Chinese leaders, the status of Hong Kong is something that must never be questioned, and so when the U.S. Congress publicly sided with the protesters it felt like an insult to their national honor.  In essence, over in China this new law is being viewed as a direct assault on Chinese sovereignty, and it has created a tremendous uproar.

But here in the United States, most Americans don’t even know that the “Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019” was unanimously passed by the Senate on Tuesday and then passed by a vote of 417 to 1 in the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

In fact, the mainstream media is so obsessed with covering the impeachment proceedings that they have devoted very little coverage to what Congress just did.

But the truth is that this is one of the biggest news stories of the entire decade.

And the fact that Republicans and Democrats were united on this issue is a very big deal.  The following is what Nancy Pelosi had to say after the bill was passed by the House…

“The Congress is sending an unmistakable message to the world that the United States stands in solidarity with freedom-loving people of Hong Kong and that we fully support their fight for freedom,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on the House floor. “This has been a very unifying issue for us.”

Reuters is reporting that President Trump is expected to sign the bill, and even if for some reason he didn’t there are more than enough votes to override any veto.

What this means is that the next election is not going to change anything.  Siding with the Hong Kong protesters will still be official U.S. policy no matter who wins in 2020.

Needless to say, the Chinese are extremely angry about this new law, and the official newspaper of the ruling communist party is warning that the U.S. needs to “rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice” and that China will soon “take resolute revenge”…

On Thursday, the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s main newspaper, the People’s Daily, urged the United States to “rein in the horse at the edge of the precipice” and stop interfering in Hong Kong matters and China’s internal affairs.

“If the U.S. side obstinately clings to its course, the Chinese side will inevitably adopt forceful measures to take resolute revenge, and all consequences will be borne by the United States,” it said in a front-page editorial.

And Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang is warning that the U.S. should brace for “strong countermeasures”…

China “condemns and firmly opposes” the legislation that Trump plans to sign, according to a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang after Tuesday’s Senate vote.

“The U.S. should immediately stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs and China’s other internal affairs, or the negative consequences will boomerang on itself,” the statement said. “China will have to take strong countermeasures to defend our national sovereignty, security and development interests if the U.S. insists on making the wrong decisions.”

We aren’t just talking about a trade war anymore.  The Chinese now view us as enemy number one, and they are going to play hardball.

I wish that I could get everyone to understand how serious this is.  Most Americans couldn’t care less about what happens over in China, but the Chinese have been steaming about U.S. interference in their affairs for months.

In fact, the Chinese government was accusing the U.S. of being behind the Hong Kong protests all the way back in July…

“As you all know, they are somehow the work of the US,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a press conference in Beijing.

Hua added that China would “never allow any foreign forces” to interfere in the semi-autonomous city, and warned that “those who play (with) fire will only get themselves burned.”

Of course the U.S. denies being behind the protests, but now that the U.S. Congress is publicly supporting the protesters it really doesn’t matter.

To the Chinese, it certainly looks like the U.S. is trying to encourage civil unrest in Hong Kong, and for them that crosses a red line that should have never been crossed.

The only way that our relations with China could be repaired now would be if Congress voted to repeal this new law, and that simply is not going to happen.

So that means that this new “cold war” is here to stay, and we better hope that it doesn’t turn into a “hot war”.

The Chinese do not forgive, and they do not forget.  As this new “cold war” escalates, they are going to try to make us hurt every way that they can, and most Americans have absolutely no idea what that could possibly mean.

I will publish the second part of this article on The Most Important News later tonight, and in that article I will discuss some of the economic implications of this move that Congress just made.

Yes, supporting the protesters in Hong Kong is certainly a noble thing to do.  But by publicly insulting China’s national honor and directly assaulting China’s sovereignty over Hong Kong, Congress has set in motion a chain of events that nobody is going to be able to control.

About the Author: I am a voice crying out for change in a society that generally seems content to stay asleep. My name is Michael Snyder and I am the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe. I have written four books that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned) By purchasing those books you help to support my work. I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but due to government regulations I need those that republish my articles to include this “About the Author” section with each article. In order to comply with those government regulations, I need to tell you that the controversial opinions in this article are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the websites where my work is republished. This article may contain opinions on political matters, but it is not intended to promote the candidacy of any particular political candidate. The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions. Those responding to this article by making comments are solely responsible for their viewpoints, and those viewpoints do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of Michael Snyder or the operators of the websites where my work is republished. I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.

President Trump just announced yet another round of emergency bailouts for U.S. farmers.  This emergency aid will be greatly welcomed by countless struggling farmers, but a few thousand dollars won’t be nearly enough to save most of the farms that are on the verge of failing.  Coming into 2019, farm debt was already at a record high and farm bankruptcies were already rising.  But then crazy weather patterns made planting season a complete and utter mess, and more crazy weather patterns have turned harvest season into a major disaster.  On top of everything else, the Trump administration’s trade dispute with China has greatly reduced U.S. agricultural exports and hurt prices.  This has been an absolutely nightmarish year for U.S. farmers, and a series of government bailouts hasn’t done much to ease the pain.

Realizing that more emergency intervention was necessary, President Trump just announced that another round of bailouts is on the way…

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday welcomed a “cash” payout to American farmers before the Thanksgiving Day holiday that he attributed to China tariffs, but that money actually is part of a U.S. government aid package.

“Our great Farmers will recieve (sic) another major round of ‘cash,’ compliments of China Tariffs, prior to Thanksgiving,” he wrote on Twitter.

According to Fox Business, the Trump administration is telling us that the U.S. Department of Agriculture “issued the payments on Friday, and they will begin the week before Thanksgiving”.

So many farming families will receive an unexpected blessing just in time for the holidays.

But all of these bailouts have not kept farm bankruptcies from shooting up rapidly.  In fact, the American Farm Bureau says that U.S. farm bankruptcies are up a whopping 24 percent over the last 12 months…

Nationwide U.S. farm bankruptcies in September surged 24% to their highest level since 2011 amid strains from President Trump’s trade war with China and a year of wild weather.

In the 12 months through September, there were 580 Chapter 12 farm bankruptcy filings, the most since 2011, the American Farm Bureau Federation reported.

Farming is a very tough business.  It takes an immense amount of capital, and one bad year of really bad weather can ruin everything.

And the weather in 2019 has been absolutely abysmal.

In essence, what we have been witnessing is something of a “perfect storm” for farmers.  For so many of them, 2019 was a “make or break year”, because unsustainable debt levels had already pushed them to the brink of insolvency.

If you can believe it, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is projecting that U.S. farm debt will soon reach a grand total of 416 billion dollars…

U.S. farm debt is projected to reach a record high of $416 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Let’s do some quick math.  There are about 2 million farms in the United States, and when you divide $416 billion by 2 million, you get $208,000.

That means that the average farm in the United States is now more than $200,000 in debt.

And when bad weather wipes out your income for the year, that much debt can be absolutely crippling.

Of course it isn’t just farmers that grow crops that are going under.  In fact, the epicenter for this debt crisis is actually among dairy farmers in Wisconsin…

Wisconsin leads the nation in farm bankruptcies this year, and dairy farmers are carrying the brunt of the burden.

According to NPR, nearly 10% of Wisconsin dairy farmers may go out of business in 2019. And Wisconsin has seen an increase in suicide rates over the last few years. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, experts are attributing many of those deaths to farmers facing economic challenges.

Did you catch that number?

In our most important dairy producing state, one out of every ten dairy farms will be shutting down this year alone.

Americans are drinking less milk these days, and prices are down.  Everyone knew that this would be a tough year for dairy farmers, but very few anticipated that it would be this tough.

At this point, the state of Wisconsin is actually losing “two farms a day”…

“You look at the weather, you look at the crops you can’t get off the field, you look at the bills you can’t pay,” Patty Edelburg, vice president of the National Farmers Union, told Yahoo Finance. “Bankruptcies are up. Wisconsin is attributed as the No. 1 bankruptcy in the nation right now, when it comes to dairy farmers. That number is up, I think, 24% from last year already. We’re losing two farms a day.”

For some farmers, “Farmageddon” is simply too much to bear.  Seeing a farm that you put your blood, sweat and tears into go under can be absolutely devastating emotionally, and authorities are telling us that the number of farm suicides appears to be rising…

In farm country, mental health experts say they’re seeing more suicides as families endure the worst period for U.S. agriculture in decades. Farm bankruptcies and loan delinquencies are rising, calamitous weather events are ruining crops, and profits are vanishing during Trump’s global trade disputes.

A 2017 study found that farm owners and workers were three to five times as likely to kill themselves on the job compared with other occupations. Researchers studying more recent data have not yet determined if farmer suicides are increasing, but leaders and social workers in rural America say that, anecdotally, they’re seeing more of these deaths. Calls to suicide hotlines around farm country have risen, prompting new federal and state programs targeting farmers’ mental health, including support groups, public awareness campaigns and funding for counseling.

This is such a great tragedy, because farmers are truly the backbone of this nation.  I don’t know anyone out there that doesn’t need to eat, and without our farmers we wouldn’t have any food.

All over the country, officials are using the word “disaster” to describe this harvest season.  This is a nightmare that is just getting started, and we won’t know the full magnitude of this crisis for some time.

But what we do know is that U.S. farmers have never seen a year quite like this, and all of the information that we have right now seems to indicate that “Farmageddon” is going to get a whole lot worse.

About the Author: I am a voice crying out for change in a society that generally seems content to stay asleep. My name is Michael Snyder and I am the publisher of The Economic Collapse Blog, End Of The American Dream and The Most Important News, and the articles that I publish on those sites are republished on dozens of other prominent websites all over the globe. I have written four books that are available on Amazon.com including The Beginning Of The End, Get Prepared Now, and Living A Life That Really Matters. (#CommissionsEarned) By purchasing those books you help to support my work. I always freely and happily allow others to republish my articles on their own websites, but due to government regulations I need those that republish my articles to include this “About the Author” section with each article. In order to comply with those government regulations, I need to tell you that the controversial opinions in this article are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of the websites where my work is republished. This article may contain opinions on political matters, but it is not intended to promote the candidacy of any particular political candidate. The material contained in this article is for general information purposes only, and readers should consult licensed professionals before making any legal, business, financial or health decisions. Those responding to this article by making comments are solely responsible for their viewpoints, and those viewpoints do not necessarily represent the viewpoints of Michael Snyder or the operators of the websites where my work is republished. I encourage you to follow me on social media on Facebook and Twitter, and any way that you can share these articles with others is a great help.

When knife companies want to find out if their products are up to the task? The seek out Doc Montana’s opinion on their design and steel. So maybe you have you been dying to hear Doc talk about survival knives? Then this is your episode. Doc and Drew talk all things knives. Types, actions, locks, steels, blades, grinds, sharpening, it’s all here.

Want to comment about this podcast? Sound off below in the comments.

A fun episode with lots of opinions, click on one of the links below to listen now or download to your phone and listen later. Also, if you love the podcast, please leave us a review on iTunes, Stitcher, or Podbeam. It really helps!!!

The post Survival Cache Podcast Episode 15: Survival Knives appeared first on Survival Cache.

If you could only take 10 items with you on a survival journey what would they be? A knife? A rifle? Maybe a firestarter? Well, that is a different list. This list on the Survival Cache Podcast is a lot more fun. Doc and Drew tackle their Top Ten favorite survival items in their personal supply chest and you can only find out by listening!!

Want to comment about this podcast? Sound off below in the comments.

A fun episode with lots of opinions, click on one of the links below to listen now or download to your phone and listen later. Also, if you love the podcast, please leave us a review on iTunes, Stitcher, or Podbeam. It really helps!!!

The post Survival Cache Podcast Episode 16: Ten Cool Survival Gear Items appeared first on Survival Cache.

The recent shooting of Gary Willis has shown that the liberal left is still hell-bent on taking away our guns. Gary’s only crimes were to get in a disagreement with a distant relative and then not be willing to turn over his guns to law enforcement officers when they came to confiscate them under a red flag order. The same could happen soon to any of us.

How Do We Resist Gun Confiscations?

This raises the question of how to resist such confiscations effectively. Taking a stand and resisting the police may be a great way to make a statement. Nonetheless, going out in a blaze of glory is really not going to change anything. You’ll be dead or in the hospital and the law will still be in place.

Another option is to go along with law enforcement, but only to a point. In other words, give them some of your guns as a law-abiding citizen but not all of them. Of course, succeeding in this requires that the government not know what guns you have.

Technically and legally, there is no nationwide gun registration. However, some states have their own registration laws. In addition to that, I’m not sure how much we can trust the federal government to follow that law. First off, all gun purchases have to be called into the NICS for a computer background check. Furthermore, the BATF checks the records of all gun sales in all gun stores across the country. So, there is still the possibility that they are creating an illegal database of gun ownership. That wouldn’t surprise me at all.

No Database Is Perfect

Even so, their database can’t be perfect. Private transactions still don’t need to go through the NICS system, so there’s usually no record of them. Nor is there any record of homemade firearms. So if you have made an AR-15 from an 80% lower, there is no record of it existing.

Since there is no record of private sales, you could claim that you have sold one or two firearms that you have hidden away. Additionally, you could keep hidden away any firearms you’ve purchased privately or that you’ve made. The question then becomes, where could you hide those firearms to keep the police from finding them?

When the police served their orders on Gary Willis, there were only two officers present. That makes it sound like they’re not doing Gestapo style home inspections, but rather that they are expecting citizens to cooperate and turn over their guns. If that’s the case, they are more likely to believe it when someone says that they don’t have a particular firearm or that they have sold it. Consequently, if you hide the guns fairly well, chances are that no one will discover them.

Any cursory search by those police officers is only going to be of the obvious places that people usually keep their firearms: a gun safe or cabinet, nightstand, closet, and under the bed. It’s doubtful that they will go much farther than that. In particular, try some of these hiding places:

Concealing Your Guns Tip #1: Bury Them

The best way to make sure that your guns are not found is to bury them in your backyard. Depending on the size of the guns, you could either bury them in five-gallon buckets or sealed into PVC pipe. Either way, the container should be waterproof and moisture-proof, thereby protecting the guns from damage. Even so, you’ll want to oil them down well before burying them.

The one problem with this hiding place is that your guns are not readily accessible. But then again, if your guns have been confiscated, you probably don’t want to be grabbing a gun every time you check the door at night.

Concealing Your Guns Tip #2: False Ductwork

Few people understand the ductwork in the attic or basement of a home. This lack of understanding gives you the opportunity to add false ductwork to your house and connect it to the existing ductwork. It doesn’t need to be connected to allow air to pass, but only to look like it’s part of the original. To do that, you need to find the same sort of material and make your new ductwork look like the old. In essence, try to make it look like it goes somewhere.

Few people will take a second glance at this false ductwork, not seeing it for what it is. Rather, they’ll look around and past it as they try to see what else is there.

Concealing Your Guns Tip #3: False Heat Registers

Following through with the idea of a false ductwork, you could also add in false heat registers. Simply cut a hole in the wall and insert one that you can buy at your local home improvement store. The heat register will be held in place by a couple of screws, but as they are only into drywall, they are easily removed. The good part is that by removing them you gain access to the space inside the wall.

The key here is to put the heat register near the floor so that you can set whatever gun you’re going to put in there on the floor. That way, you can have the firearm hidden below the height of the register but still easy to grab. Only put one gun per register so as to scatter them out and make them harder to find.

Concealing Your Guns Tip #4: In the Walls

Speaking of walls, there is a lot of empty space between the walls of your home. While difficult to access, if you are doing a remodeling project you could hide some guns inside the wall and make note of where they are. You would need to make a hole in the wall to get to them later, but it would be worth it.

This is great for long guns, which can’t just be hidden inside a false heat register. Nevertheless, of all the options I’m mentioning, this is the hardest one to access your guns. As a result, you want to be sure that any guns you hide this way would be ones that you won’t need until you are in a survival situation.

Concealing Your Guns Tip #5: Above A Hanging Ceiling

Many people’s basements are finished with a hanging ceiling. If your home is one of them, you have a ready-made hiding place already. All you have to do is to move a ceiling tile and add a shelf to the side of the existing floor joists for the floor above. You can hide a lot there on a number of shelves without anyone knowing where it is.

The disadvantage to this as a hiding place is that if they try to do a thorough search, this is probably one of the first truly hidden places that they would look. Even then, they probably wouldn’t move all of the tiles, so if you can find a place which is less likely to be checked, that’s a good place to use.

Concealing Your Guns Tip #6: False Plumbing

Just like we were talking about false ductwork, you can create false plumbing and it will work for the exact same reason. Notwithstanding, this only works in unfinished basements. What you want to do here is to add a second four-inch drainpipe in the basement. It should span from the ceiling to the floor, just like the existing one. Place it on the other side of the basement so that it isn’t easy to compare it to the existing one.

Concealing Your Guns Tip #7: In Plain Sight

Finally, you can hide an awful lot of stuff in plain sight. You are probably using your basement, attic, or garage for storage. That means a lot of miscellaneous boxes with a lot of miscellaneous stuff in them. Simply pick a box or two and put the guns in the bottom of them, filling the box back up with its original contents. Someone would have to empty a lot of boxes to find the ones that you hid your guns in.

You may also enjoy reading an additional Off The Grid News article: How To Pack Heat With Absolutely No One Knowing

Or download our free 29-page report that discusses how to legally carry firearms (almost) anywhere, anytime: Stick To Your Guns

Do you have any more tips or suggestions for concealing guns? Let us know in the comments below.

 

The post Concealing Your Guns: 7 Ways To Keep Them Safe And Out Of Sight appeared first on Off The Grid News.