Defense against a few, doable; defense against thousands or more, unlikely. Is it such a stretch to consider that honest but desperate people in vast numbers will do what seems necessary to survive and that at some point you would be just another resource however much they might regret doing what they feel thay must do?

"Bugging out would be like running with the lemmings. Rather than solving the problem, your adding to it."

If running is the best strategy, perhaps you want to be the front lemming - going furthest and fastest, hopefully beyond the ability of those following so you and yours wind up in a more survivable situation. Preparation to flee and a good early decision process would seem worthy goals, hence this thread.