I have seen exactly 2 hunters (two) more than a quarter-mile away from a road. I’ve seen hundreds and hundreds cruising the roads. I’ve seen the small, medium, large and enormous camps from which these folks take off in their vehicles. All of them are on roads. Not all, there are some horse camps, and I’ve never seen a hunter and horse in the back-country. I’ve talked with them, asked them which trails they’ve been down, then asked about the stream about 1/2 mile in. They lie.

And everyone says, “Yeah, but those are scumbags. My friends and I don’t even have our guns out along roads.” Every one.

I’m not saying I would necessarily see those who were in the woods, but I don’t think they are going off-trail very much. There may be people in stands, I don’t know. I doubt there are many of those, either.

As far as their weapons go, face it. Without a lot of organization (how about a “well-regulated militia”, what a novel concept) they are worse than useless because they give the person a false sense of security. A feeling of superiority and power which can get people into trouble.

And I’m not going to talk you out of it. You’re invested in believing what you believe, and have a compulsion to argue with anything I espouse. Fortunately, in this country you don’t have to worry. Your fantasy can continue, alive and well, and we can thank God for that.

Most are gun enthusiasts and not fat alcoholics.

The SKS military rifle was known as a peasants rifle. A highly reliable and resilient weapon. Approximately 5million have been imported into the US. With 2 clips you’re equipped with 60 rounds. It’s not difficult to convert it to full auto although the penalties for doing so are severe.

Another popular gun is the MAK 90 which is a semi-auto version of the AK 47. 1million have been imported to the US. The MAK 90 can be equipped with a 100 round drum.

And then there is the Mosin Nagant. A highly accurate 5 round Russian military rifle. It shoots a 7.62x54mm round whereas the MAK 90 and SKS shoot 7.62×39. It has an effective range of 400-500 yards with a max range of 2 miles. These rifles were used by Russian snipers in WWI + WWII, and by North Korean troops and the North Vietnamese. In the 90’s you could by them and their ammunition mail order. Just about every gun store you walk into will have a few of these on the rack. Russia produce 37 million units of which almost 4 million reside in the US.

So you see, the bumpkins may be better equipped than you think.

I did not say it would be futile to fight. I said it would be futile to take on a tank supported by ground troops with a bunch of people with hunting rifles.

I believe it is always better to live to fight another day, if possible. Of course I’d fight if the country were invaded. Even if Conservatives decided to take it over with the military.

And, and I don’t think a bunch of uncoordinated, out of shape hunters taking on an even semi-sophisticated military will amount to anything.

After the first take-over, when people have had time to organize, then they could be effective to an extent. And the sooner they can get rid of those hunting rifles and get something designed for fighting the better off they’ll be. Bolt actions and 5-shot clips went out with WWII. I’ll take an AK anytime, but the FN-90 looks to be the ultimate. What a dream. Powerful, concealable, sort of, heck of a weapon.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0C0dmGeE4MI

They are searching for weapons. The people are pleading with the UN to do something.

ER considers fighting against your own country a “conservative fantasy”. The stuff of “Red Dawn”. Funny, the founding fathers had the the same “fantasy”.

A half of dozen countries are, or were, killing their own civilians.

Your point is it would be futile to fight. Maybe so, but the people in the Mid East and Africa are liberating themselves. I would hope Americans would try to do the same if faced with a similar situation.

Sorry about the crude comment. You got my goat.

Some suggestions. Take no prisoners, it’s just a display of weakness. One good man with a stout heart is worth 100 badguys. Those really, really loud bangs scare them as much as they do you. They’ll respect you if you stand up to them. Kick ass. Then order roses to stuff in their gun barrels. Takes ‘em off guard.

Let me know how that works for you.

I’m imagining all my neighbors and me with hunting rifles, shotguns and pistols blasting away at a tank coming down the street. A couple of coaxial .50s are raking the houses, the cannon waving back and forth.

We’re shooting and reloading and shooting, the cannon puts a couple of rounds into my next door neighbors, and all at once it gets very quiet.

We aren’t going to do much, especially as the squad coming along behind is mopping up. With grenades. And if the tank starts backing up, if we have convinced them we’re serious, watch out. The mortars and artillery are coming in. If they haven’t called in air.

This idea that an armed citizenry is going to take on the government is for the naive. When folks with bigger guns start shooting back a very harsh reality rears it’s ugly head.