http://1010wins.com/topstories/winstopstories_story_360075543.html

I understand the part about the guns and all but this part of the article is unclear to me:

In addition to three guns and hollow-point bullets, police said they seized an Army helmet, ready-to-eat meals, canteens, a gas mask, potassium iodide tablets and ham radios, Gallagher said.


Since when it's illegal to have that? Something like that give good guys a bad rep. Oh you have MREs or Ham radio or Water Purification tablets? Than you are a survivalist (the negative kind).

Matt

Matt:

Its been years since I got my criminal justice degree but IIRC those other items can be held as supporting evidence to show that a criminal intent or "guilty mind" existed.
The example I was once given was that if three people were pulled over in a car while wearing ski masks and carrying guns, the ski masks could be held as evidence of a conspiracy to commit a crime. IOW, the cops seized everything they felt was relevant or possibly relevant to a crime. Chances are that these other items will be returned.

Chris

hollow point bullet's are illegal in New Jersey , which is where he was arrested.

I understand that his ammo was illegal WHERE HE WAS, but how much of this paranoia can a God, family, & country loving good ol' boy put up with? Some say if you don't like the local laws, move, but how many times does someone with right wing sentiment have to drag up stakes before he or she can get comfortable and develop good relationships with the neighbors? I have often wondered how long it will be before I'll have to leave my home state because of anti-gun laws that apply ( or will if a certain Illinois Mayor gets his way ) to an entire state, but are totally unreallistic and unfair to the rest of us that occupy the other 90% of the area of that state. I know we're supposed to stay off un-P.C. political discussions, but this just hit a nerve with me. My B.O.B. may have to be used to get me out of The Peoples Republic Of (pick a left wing state) and into the relative freedom of Dixie.

( rant is now over, thank you for your attention )

Troy
P.S. If anyone has any "enlightened" opinions or words of encouragement, please feel free to e-mail me or send a P.M., I tend to learn the most from dissenting opinions, but appreciate a kindred spirit.

Aren't double-edged knives also illegal in New Jersey?

Of course snare wire could be used as a garrot, so I suppose it is a good idea to have your snare wire cut down to a size for small animal use.

What about a wire saw which is big enough for a garrot?

It seems that even those of us whose only intent is to do the best we can if set in a more primitive situation during an emergency could be looked at as "bad survivalists", instead of prepared citizens.

Bountyhunter

Matt:

I have to disagree with your description of "bad kind of survlvalists".

There may be some more paranoid than others, but until they do something against the laws of society, they cannot be considered bad. How many people have looked at any of us with the preparedness we believe in and considered us as "off the wall"?

Possesion of guns and bullets in the locale this person was arrested makes him a violator of the law, but not a nut case per se. His daughter probably said it best when she attributed his behavior to his military training, but I didn't see anything in there about antisocial behavior that should cause him to be labeled as a "bad survivalist.

As Doug once said on a previous post, "This is America, and you are innocent until proven guilty", or words to that effect.

Bountyhunter

Well, the things wrong with this guys actions in NJ:

1. Guns loaded in a car is a big no-no
2. Hollow points loaded in guns in car is like double trouble
3. Having a gas mask and other military stuff in your car with the guns loaded with hollowpoints...you better have a good lawer.

To NJ cops what the guy did is pretty much the same as preparing to rob a bank. You have to remember, in NJ loaded guns are a big no-no, having a loaded gun anywhere but in a shooting range the police will treat you like you just shot someone. Pretty sad for people like me that shoot in competition. <img src="images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I'd say it's pretty sad for anybody with half a brain and any love of freedom.

When you first get to ETS site you see a disclaimer from Doug that states and defines pretty clearly what he understands by the word survival. It is about preparadness and being ready when your plane ditches in the middle of the pacific or when you get lost when hiking or insert here scenario of your choice. But all of the above makes you a good kind of survivalist. Maybe a bit nutty since your jacket weights 15 lbs from all the stuff you carry but harmless. If weapons are part of your surivial kit that's all right. I'm not arguing against them since I own few of them. My main thing is that when public gets presented with a guy stuck with a loaded handgun (nevermind the hollow points), army ration and other survival equipment that automatically makes him a "michigan militia" type of the guy. And what did michigan militia called themselves? That's right surivivalists. The only difference is that they were trying to survive our gov't not a plane crash in Alaska. As far as Im concerned arrested guy might have been a member of this board. 90% of us have a gas mask, ham radio and military rations and doing a trip from one state to another in an old car we would pack them just in case. Maybe a good old 45 would make its way into the kit as well. But he will never be presented as a guy who was just prepared but broke a law due to his foolishnes. He will be presented as a bad guy who tried to do something. Dont get me wrong I wear my vest on the job and pray I won't get hit with anything piercing so I have no sympathy for him. Just my 2 cents. Like you said you are inncocent until proven guilty but in this case guy is projected by media as a militia type of the guy which already swings the public opinon against him.

Matt

Sorry for picking holes but I believe that potassium iodide tablets are designed to be swallowed if you are subjected to nuclear fallout. Don't stick them in your canteen <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.