Many Preppers are often asked “what are you preparing for?” The responses are anything from a simple weather event to an extinction-level event. Having been in the field of disaster planning and response for 24 years, I cannot tell you the number of times someone from the public would call looking for our tornado plan, or flood plan, chemical spill plan and on and on. The reality is, many entities do not have disaster specific plans but rather general emergency operations plan that address the similar consequences of several different disasters. With that said, there are exceptions such as entities…

On July 5, 1601, the siege of Ostend began when a Spanish force under Archduke Albert VII of Austria, with 12,000 men and 50 siege guns, laid siege to a small garrison of fewer than 2,000 Dutch at the strategically important fortress of Ostend, Flanders. — And on July 5, 1891, an intense hailstorm killed 16 horses near Rapid City, South Dakota. — SurvivalBlog Writing Contest Today we present another entry for Round 119 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate. This can be used for…

Germany is actively pursuing the acquisition of additional Patriot air defense systems from the United States to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities amidst a surge in Russian aerial assaults. A government spokesman confirmed ongoing discussions with Washington about this agreement, highlighting the urgency due to recent Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine. Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, have long emphasized the need for enhanced air defense, specifically expressing interest in securing at least ten Patriot systems to protect against ongoing threats. As the U.S. appears to reconsider its arms supplies to Ukraine, German authorities remain concerned about the potential…

Current efforts to reform U.S. gun laws are hampered by significant congressional gridlock, despite tragic events such as the Texas elementary school shooting that left 21 dead. While there are some bipartisan agreements on measures like closing the “Charleston loophole” and implementing “red flag” laws, the legislative landscape remains challenged by the need for 60 votes to overcome the Senate filibuster. Key proposals, including a national “Red Flag” law led by Rep. Lucy McBath, aim to empower courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others. However, skepticism remains high, particularly from Republican senators who…

Connecticut’s Governor Ned Lamont has signed into law House Bill 6667, marking the state’s first major update to gun regulations since the post-Sandy Hook reforms a decade ago. The new law prohibits open carry of firearms, enhances gun storage requirements, and raises the age to purchase semiautomatic rifles from 18 to 21, aligning it with handgun policies. This comprehensive legislation also targets the rising issue of gun violence by incorporating demands from Democratic mayors in high-risk urban areas, proposing stricter penalties for repeat offenders. Supporters argue that evidence shows states with stringent gun laws experience lower rates of gun-related deaths,…

As gun violence continues to be a pressing concern, advocacy groups predict nearly 300,000 lives could be saved if all states adopted laws similar to those in the top-ranking states. The report also reveals a significant correlation between the strength of gun laws and lower gun death rates, emphasizing the ongoing debate over their effectiveness amid varying state-level implementations. Read full story at www.usatoday.com Read the full article here

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ramping up military operations in Ukraine, coinciding with the United States’ recent decision to pause certain weapon shipments to the embattled nation. This strategic shift by the U.S. raises significant questions about the ongoing conflict and its implications for Ukraine’s defense capabilities. General H.R. McMaster (Ret.) discusses the situation, emphasizing that Putin’s intensified campaign could leverage this pause to gain ground. As global tensions mount, the U.S.’s military aid approach is under scrutiny, prompting many to wonder how these developments will affect the balance of power in the region. Read full story at www.foxnews.com Read…

Police investigate a burglary in northwest Salina where 16 firearms, including rifles and handguns, were stolen from a home. The incident occurred between 5 AM and 1 PM on a Friday, as the authorities work to gather neighborhood surveillance footage to identify potential suspects. Officers report that there was no sign of forced entry, raising concerns about the security of homes in the area. The estimated loss from this incident stands at $9,000, prompting police to urge the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. Read full story at www.ksal.com Read the full article here

In the aftermath of mass shootings in Boulder, Colorado, and Atlanta, Georgia, which together resulted in the deaths of 18 individuals within a week, the gun industry is gearing up for a notable surge in sales. Market analysts, including Rob Southwick from Southwick Associates, indicate that heightened fears of potential firearm restrictions typically drive consumers to purchase guns before any new regulations are enacted. Historically, spikes in gun sales have followed mass shootings, such as the 2013 Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy and the 2017 Las Vegas massacre, revealing a consistent pattern across political administrations. With President Biden urging Congress to…

Dartmouth Police recently arrested Nathan Faria, a 34-year-old from New Bedford, after responding to a domestic disturbance at the Dartmouth Motor Inn. During the investigation, officers discovered that Faria had been involved in a previous domestic violence incident and subsequently found a Sig Sauer M400 AR-15 assault rifle and a VR80 shotgun in his vehicle, along with thousands of rounds of ammunition and multiple high-capacity magazines. Faria faces numerous charges, including illegal possession of firearms and silencer without a license, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding domestic violence and gun safety in the community. Dartmouth Police Chief Brian P. Levesque emphasized the…