Keeping a low profile

Along these lines, I have a question:

I know that a police officer under certain specific circumstances can comandeer a vehicle in his jurisdiction.... Our constitution protects us from quartering of military troops, (except as prescribed by law in certain circumstances, once again)

Could a troop of starving national guardsmen then, or a hungry police blockade, confiscate some of your supplies or food storage if they set up a checkpoint on your exit path, under a similar 'iminent domain' type of clause?

Granted, any armed group with guns and enough desperation can accomplish such a goal against you. But it would take a lot less, even something as plausible as a katrina-esque scenario or other very likely disaster, for cops and guardsmen to feel justified in taking from the prepared if there is any legal provision to do so and supplies were spread thin enough or disrupted in some way.

Anyone? Thoughts? Enlightenment?

If your chubby and well fed you can last a couple of week's longer than the skinny folk's. lol Most of my shirt's are green and brown. Mostly cause I like earth tone color's but it has crossed my mind that it blend's in well with the shrubbery if need be. smear a little mud on the jean's and tie a tree branch around your head and your camo. I do have some pretty cool camo clothes too. Nothing military but primo and mossy oak camo blend in perfect with the woods around here. Our bov, if not the horses is just a plain jane dark green suv.

I love my mini 14. Though it's not as accurate as an AR I can hit the middle of a peice of note book paper at 100 yard's just looking through the peep hole site, and I'm happy with that. And it doesnt have the assault rifle look. It sure wouldnt catch as much attention as cruising down the road with the AK in the seat.

I like to be comfortable, so I tend to favor long skirts or jeans with layers up top (tank top, overshirt, hoodie). A lot of my urban survival is based on the fact that I don't usually look like I have anything worth taking. Also, and not being the least bit conceited here, on a day to day basis I don't usually wear makeup and I wear concealing clothing and sunglasses because I don't want to attract unwanted attention from predatory males.

If that was to happen, the biggest way you can stay low is NOW! If people know you are well stocked, prepared, etc, etc, they're going to be coming by demanding you HELP them. Play the part of the sheep, and when it happens, try not to eat as much, whine and moan how hungry you are,etc, etc, but NEVER let your neighbors or others around you know what you are doing. Only those close to you will know.


Just my .02.


Joe

This subject is covered well on a number of forums....do a google search for 'grey man" and you'll likely find much info.

When and if it runs, I drive a CJ7 on 33-in. Goodyear ATs, no lift. My camo scheme is grey and rust.

I like Woolrich Elite, 5.11, Arbor Wear, T.A.D., Filson, and the civilian hunting camo patterns. Love that Natural Gear. Coveralls are available.

I already look chubby and well-fed. I can be dirty and corpulent at the same time.

I wouldn't paint my vehicle camouflage; I'd paint it flat dark earth, including any of the chrome or bare metal. I'd rather look a little "tactical" and be subdued than have an enemy setting up on the glint. I have some really good ariel-camo nets from R.S.A. for when I have to pull off on the side of the road and sit for a spell. French military units deployed to Africa are in the habit of covering their solid-coloured vehicles with camouflage cloth while on mounted patrol. They look like piles of camo laundry rolling down the road, but they don't look like cars and trucks, so that is one more option.

I already have some experience in negotiating checkpoints and roadblocks in a hot A.O., thank you.

I would rather be in a mid-size pick-up or S.U.V. with four-wheel-drive, like a Taco or a 4Runner. I really don't need Bert Gummer's Dodge or something out of The Road Warrior. What I would like to have are 31 to 35-in. ATs, skid plates, and a set of low-profile bullbars. There are enough vehicles like that out there right now, that they don't spotlight you as anything spectacular, unless you live someplace stupid like N.Y.C. At least with 4wd and a ruggedised platform you have some options. The only option you have in the loser cruiser is to sit there while somebody shoots at you. Don't kid yourself: if you are in a vehicle that's moving then you have petrol, which means you have resources, which makes you a target anyway. If you want to not look like a target, avoid being seen completely by everybody.

I usually put my provisions in big, old duffle bags. They have handles and a carry strap.

IME, there is no wisdom in choosing the Mini over the AR, unless finances are the determining factor. I've gone loud with both and being stuck with a Mini-14 in a firefight sucks ass compared with the human engineering of the AR. There are enough ARs out there in civvy hands that, if it ever gets to the point that average Joes are walking the street armed with longarms, you won't have to worry about being the sore thumb. While I am no fan of direct gas impingement (which has pretty much been fixed by a few companies, btw) the AR simply offers too many advantages to the shooter, while the Mini offers none save for launching a bullet downrange. I will take my chances with something that I can speed-reload during C.Q.B. and squeeze into the role of precision rifle, thanks.

Concealable body armour is more concealable than PASGT and the like. It is not better. In terms of performance, it is most often much worse, and precious few covert vests are of any use against rifle fire.

If you live in Brent's neck of the woods, or something like it, I would venture to say that many people will be wearing some kind of camouflage, even if it's just one part of the ensemble, while down at the trading post, post-SHTF. Depends on your A.O. Around the old homestead or mingling with folks at the F.E.M.A. outpost is one thing, but the trip to and fro could be hazardous if you don't blend with your surroundings and those surroundings happen to be the bush and you happen to be on foot. Ghillie suits aren't that hard to make; just time consuming. School-trained snipers have to make their own. We had one guy in my class who bought his from Cabela's. The instructors threw a fit, but they kept missing him on the Q.C. so they let him use it. One of the runners even stepped on him, it worked so well. Roll it up and stuff it in a small ruck or big pouch, and you're GTG. Don it as you exit the security of your retreat; doff it on approach to your destination. Reverse procedure when you go home as soon as you're out of visual contact.

A couple more thoughts:

Get some decent binocs or a spotting scope with a Tenebraex filter for visual recon of any destination from a safe distance. Scout the perimeter before final approach. Make maps. Learn where the entrances and exits are, and weak spots that you might be able to use in case things get interesting while you're in there and you need a fast way out that isn't controlled or crowded.

If you have a group, even if it's just two or three of youm learn to work and move as a team. Designate one person as your marksman, and have that person learn everything they can about scouting and snipercraft now. Have them deploy on approach to your destination, or checkpoint, and have them cover your movement until you exfil.

Seriously consider buying a suppressed rile and subsonic ammunition. Beyond it's use in quietly taking game, the practical and psychological effect on the enemy, if it comes to that, is devastating.

I've also joked that "camo" in a city environment is just silly. they should make urban camo where you're covered with graffiti and drawings of cars and office buildings. ;)

there's also the running joke that I can't ever sneak up on someone because my closet looks like Rainbow Brite blew up in there. It is admittedly hard to be stealthy when you're pink and fuzzy. ;) But I've been mentally setting aside some practical neutral colored clothes for a bugout situation.

I also think that looking like you don't have anything of value, while still looking like you can take care of yourself is important. have a crappy looking car that doesn't display the gear and reserves you have, but don't look so shabby that you look like you'd be easy to roll. Encountering other people is challenging. In some cases you wouldn't want to look threatening because you need to put people at ease to get what you want. In other cases you'd need to look badass enough that you wouldn't be perceived as a target. I guess knowing the difference is what will be most important. For rural areas being able to conceal anything metal or reflective, like a vehicle, would be an asset. As would being able to hide from predatory animals, though usually they can smell you regardless.

It seems in most scenarios staying low profile and away from others is the best approach.