Bug Out Bag (Firearms, ammo, etc)

[Rugrash]

Since I'm relatively new to this forum I apololgize in advance for posting this thread, as I'm sure it's been posted before at some point.

While I was living in the Washington DC/MD area (Last 5+ years) I was very prudent about keeping my Bug Out Bag current and available at a moment's notice. I lived smack dab between Washington DC and Frederick, MD (where Ft. Detrich is based...Google it and you'll know why I was concerned). In DC/MD/VA you never knew what was going to happen (9/11, DC Sniper, etc). Those 2 events were very scary to me, as I could see the smoke from the Pentagon from my office and the sniper was also in my immediate area.

Anyway to the point...what do ya'll recommend for firearms etc for the BOB? I have 72 hours worth of food, water, medicine, Fuel, camping gear, etc for both the wife and I.

The good news is that I at least have my carry weapon if I can't make it home for some reason. I have some nice Pelican cases that I think would make nice BOB's for pistols, ammo, mags, etc.

Thanks!!

Rug

[longtooth]

Pardon the ignorance of the old guy, but what is a Bug Out Bag?

[Venus Pax]

Another ignoramous here! I'm not familiar with a BOB or a BUG OUT bag.
Please explain.

[longtooth]

This is liable to be a big huddle learning.

[jimlongley]

I had a Bug Out Bag for many years, but since moving to TX I have neglected to keep it in order.

Usually several days worth of food, water, medical supplies, ammo, and various other "necessities" in a container that could be tossed in te car at a moment's notice. My last one was actually a big Rubbermaid container.

[Chris]

on the history channel, i watched a show about the CIA and their investigation into the marine barracks bombing in beirut. they frequently mentioned the 'bug out bag.' when you're a secret operative working in a violent country with a very high level of risk, there may be a good reason to grab your bag and go, leaving behind everything else.

one instance where they used the bag in the documentary was when the operatives were discovered and some soldiers came knocking on their doors. they had to get out of the hotel room quick. the bag contained a change of clothes, guns, fake IDs, etc.

for a CIA operative working in a foreign country where the possibility of getting killed is pretty good, i can see a perfect reason to have it. here in the states, you're better served with an emergency roadside kit bought from wal-mart. your chances of breaking down on the side of the road are way more likely than needing a 'bug out bag'.

i think you would be better served learning how to use available resources, than trying to plan 72 hours worth of supplies.

[seamusTX]

Here is the good ol' U.S.A. there aren't too many circumstances where you have to vacate your home with no notice and also have a widespread breakdown or law and order. The examples that come to mind are an earthquake that damages your house, wildfires, and riots. You get an advance warning with hurricanes, but look what happened to people in New Orleans who thought they could ride it out.

We had to evacuate for hurricane Rita last year, and it took an uncomfortably long time (about three hours) to pack up. That included things like shutting off the gas and electricity.

We were not in immediate danger, but we wanted to beat the traffic.

- Jim

[anygunanywhere]

I have a bug out box with ammo, clips, and other firearms stuff ready next to the rifle and shotgun I will leave with. We need to put toether the food and stuff.

A hurricane allows time to plan.

In PR of Kalifornia we kept earthquake kits - energy bars, water, meds, first aid, blankets, dog food, leash, water bowl etc in car and truck. No warning for quakes. Main issue was we were never armed (well, almost never).

Anygun

[txinvestigator]

I have a bug out box with ammo, clips, and other firearms stuff ready next to the rifle and shotgun I will leave with. We need to put toether the food and stuff.

A hurricane allows time to plan.

In PR of Kalifornia we kept earthquake kits - energy bars, water, meds, first aid, blankets, dog food, leash, water bowl etc in car and truck. No warning for quakes. Main issue was we were never armed (well, almost never).

Anygun

The problem with waiting is that everyone else is waiting. The stores will be packed/picked over/empty.

I am in Dallas, but Katrina almost spun up here. East Texas had power outages and flooding too. That was my wake up call. We have in the house 3 days worth of food and water. That can be stretched to 5 or more if we ration carefully. In the winter we can get ice storms that take out the power for DAYS.

I also have lots of ammo and weapons, as well as first aid kits, rope, etc, in a BOB. I keep a mini-kit in the car.

[seamusTX]

A hurricane allows time to plan.

That's true most of the time. Tropical storm Allison started over Galveston County, and some people were trapped in their homes before they knew what was hitting them. IIRC, some places had four feet of rainfall in 48 hours.

- Jim

[Lodge2004]

Bug Out Bags, in my experience, were common for military rapid deployment forces. It was a bag with clothes and equipment that you could grab when you got a late night call.

Althought something like that may be necessary in disaster prone areas, I don't believe they are essential for most folks. Just keeping your stuff somewhat organized can serve the same purpose. When I get home after a camping trip, or after a power outage/major storm, I try to get all the "stuff" back where it is supposed to go. Having a big container in the garage is a great way to store...flashlights, batteries, water, lanterns, camping tools/cookware, etc...

Some additional basic "kits" that have evolved around my household include:

* Highway safety bags (in each vehicle) - First aid kit / flashlight / blanket / water / jumper cables / etc...
* Bump in the night belt - Pistol / ammunition / flashlight
* Short notice travel kit - Personal hygene items / medications / swiss army knife / eating utensils / basic first aid stuff
* Range bag - Magazines / Ammo / Target Tape / First Aid Kit / Eye and Ear protection / Cleaning kit / etc...

[Houston1944]

I am in the far west Houston area (Katy) so I am in more of a "hunker down and ride it out mode" rather than a bug out mode. My propane grill combined with the meat in the freezer will feed me for several days. I have a 16,000 gal swimming pool so I have plenty of water to wash and flush. I reload so ammo is not an issue. The only thing I changed after Hurricane Rita is I now keep three 5gal cans of gas in the storeroom. My plan stays the same as before - send the wife off to relatives a week before it hits and then relax and wait.

[anygunanywhere]

[quote="txinvestigator"]

The problem with waiting is that everyone else is waiting. The stores will be packed/picked over/empty.
quote]

My pantry, garage shelves, nor my RV are ever empty. Always lots of good stuff to eat and drink.

What takes time is boarding up windows and stowing all the back yard stuff - batten down the hatches.

The only item really needed is to fill up some fuel cans.

I really could have the cans ready to go, but the thought of keeping lots of fuel in the garage seems unsafe.

Anygun

[Rugrash]

Well guys I guess I'm still paranoid. That stint in DC/MD kinda freaked me out when it came to the terrorism part. I do agree with most of you as in this part of the country there are more hurricane-type scenarios where we would have a week or more of time to prepare and most of the time we can hunker down in our own homes. During Alicia in 83 my parent's roof was blown off by a tornado so hunkering down at home was not an option. Most of the island didn't have power for weeks and it was rough in the August heat coupled with the mosquitos. Still, I personally feel better having my one big duffle bag ready to roll when needed.

Getting back to the heart of this thread though, I think I'll just get a brick of .22's a hundred rounds of 9mm, 45's, .223's and 12ga 00 buck in one of my Pelican cases. This way I have a good range of calibers.

The whole BoB has evolved from being an OPs thing to a more mainstream term. If you Google it, you'll notice it has become a more survivalist/retail-oriented term.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bug-out_bag

Thanks for the responses!!

ps. When I do think of terrorism in this area I think of the ship channel and all those refineries that are along it's banks. Clounds of poison gas and fire make me want to run! :-)

[flintknapper]

Well guys I guess I'm still paranoid. That stint in DC/MD kinda freaked me out when it came to the terrorism part. :-)

RR,

There is nothing wrong with being "prepared" to what ever degree (lawfully) you feel it is necessary.

Your "stint in DC/MD" comment caused me to think back about 25 years. I was living in Austin, TX. at the time and had just started dating a young lady who had moved there from the DC area.

We both lived in the same apartment complex. Sometimes instead of taking my vehicle.. she would insist that we go in hers. On three different occasions (her car...with her as driver), I noticed she took a different route to return home.

Finally, I asked her about this. She was using a "tactic" that she used in DC to keep others from easily learning where she lived. I assured her that (at that time in Austin) it wasn't necessary...but if it made her feel better, then continue to do so.

I would never make that same statement these days, and particularly to a female...as they seem to be more vunerable...and more often slated for attack.

Continue to employ what ever measures make you comfortable. And Thank You for your post.