JWR’s Introductory Note: This is an update to an article that I wrote for SurvivalBlog in December, 2005. It is part of a series of SurvivalBlog 20th Anniversary update re-posts, in recognition of the fact that the majority of readers did not join us until recent years. — As an Army officer, I learned that in order to be effective, an army must have three key abilities: To move, shoot, and communicate. Take away any one of them, and you are ineffective. But if you get all three right, and you can absolutely devastate an opponent–even one that has superior…

On November 28th, 1942,  492 people died in a fire that destroyed the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, Massachusetts. The fire was fueled by flammable tropical decor. This was the deadliest nightclub fire in U.S. History. On that night, the club was filled beyond capacity. The building’s capacity was supposed to be 460 people, but it is estimated that more than 1,000 people were in attendance. — On November 28th, 1520, Magellan finally reached the Pacific Ocean after navigating the dangerous straits on the southern tip of South America that now bear his name. He became the first European explorer…

An Ohio hunter is fined nearly $400 after shooting and killing a killdeer, a bird protected by state regulations. The incident occurred in Darke County on the first day of dove season, prompting wildlife officers to act on a tip that led to the discovery of the endangered species in nearby bushes. The Ohio Division of Wildlife reports that after the hunter was summoned for illegally taking a nongame bird, he was found guilty in court and issued a fine of $349. Known for their distinctive call that sounds like “kill-deer,” these plovers are common in lawns and open areas…

A man is in critical condition following a shooting in Rochester Hills early Thursday morning. Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office responded to Rochdale Court around 4 a.m. and found the 44-year-old victim outside a condominium, bleeding from gunshot wounds and in need of urgent medical attention. In the aftermath, police have arrested two men—a resident of Rochester Hills and another from Detroit—though their identities have not yet been released. Authorities recovered a semi-automatic handgun at the scene, and the incident is believed to have arisen from a domestic dispute, prompting an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the…

This week, a .357 Smith & Wesson handgun was identified as the weapon used in the ambush of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of military personnel within urban environments, particularly in the capital. Experts note that the choice of a .357 caliber firearm is significant due to its stopping power and potential for lethality, an aspect that further complicates the discussion on gun violence. To understand the implications of this weapon in the context of this attack and broader security concerns, delve into the key facts about the gun’s…

Four residents from the Bronx have been charged in connection with a violent carjacking and robbery incident in Teaneck, New Jersey, which resulted in injuries to two local residents. Authorities report that the incident involved the use of a firearm, emphasizing the serious nature of the crime and the risks posed to the victims. This alarming event raises concerns about rising crime rates in the region and the broader implications for community safety. A detailed investigation has been launched, revealing significant elements that could shed light on the motivations and circumstances surrounding the attack. Read full story at www.shorenewsnetwork.com Read…

Four men have been arrested following an armed robbery at a shop in New Mills, Derbyshire, where suspects were reported to be armed with a knife and a firearm. The incident, which occurred on November 26 at approximately 11:56 AM, has led to an immediate police response, including a search of properties linked to the suspects. Derbyshire Police have confirmed that firearms officers were deployed, resulting in the arrests on suspicion of robbery. While searches continue in the nearby areas, authorities state there is no ongoing threat to the public and are not pursuing additional suspects, reassuring the community of…

Police in Dover, New Hampshire are actively searching for an armed robber who held up Papa Jay’s Pizzeria at gunpoint on Wednesday night. According to police reports, the masked individual threatened an employee with a firearm while demanding cash and personal phones before fleeing the scene. In response to the traumatic incident, the pizza shop’s management expressed their relief that no one was physically harmed, emphasizing their commitment to supporting the shaken staff. As the investigation unfolds, police have already made one arrest in connection with the armed robbery, raising questions about whether the assailant has been apprehended or if…

Prominent Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson is arrested during a protest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as demonstrations against police violence spread nationwide. The protests follow recent police shootings of black men, including the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling, which have ignited public outrage and calls for accountability. Protests have erupted in multiple cities, from Minnesota to California, with hundreds participating in marches and sit-ins demanding justice. In St. Paul, police used smoke bombs to disperse demonstrators occupying Interstate 94, and in New York City, approximately 1,000 people marched through Manhattan, chanting familiar slogans like “Black Lives Matter.” The widespread…

I just kept trying to breathe. The big bull elk was trotting forward with his head down as he chased another bull down the side of the mountain. “He’ll stop,” I said to myself as I did my best to hold down the rising panic I felt fluttering in my chest. He was 350 yards away, and I tried not to look at his antlers as I followed him in the rifle scope. I just took a deep breath and tried to stay steady…I could get excited later.Finally, almost miraculously, the bull came to a stop on the edge of…