Baby Steps Part 2: Security Starts with a Shotgun | Episode 475

Author: Survival Punk
Published: Thu 07 Aug 2025
Episode Link: https://www.survivalpunk.com/baby-steps-part-2-security-starts-with-a-shotgun-episode-475/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=baby-steps-part-2-security-starts-with-a-shotgun-episode-475

Baby Steps Part 2: Security Starts with a Shotgun | Episode 475

Let’s talk about security.

I know some of you left-leaning preppers might be cringing already. Maybe you think guns are evil, maybe you’ve been told they’re the problem. But here’s the truth: a firearm is just a tool. That’s it. Just like a fire extinguisher or a chainsaw — it can save your life or someone else’s. It doesn’t have a morality. The person behind it does.

If you’re prepping for the collapse of society but think you’ll be able to talk your way out of every threat, I’ve got news for you — that’s not prepping. That’s LARPing. Security is a basic human need, and protecting your family when the lights go out is not optional.

So today, in Baby Steps Part 2, we’re getting into the second critical area of preparedness: Security — and we start with firearms.

Start with a Shotgun

If you can only own one gun — make it a shotgun.

Why?

It’s versatile: slugs for larger game, birdshot for small game, buckshot for defense.

It’s affordable: You can still get a decent pump-action 12 or 20 gauge without breaking the bank.

It’s legal almost everywhere: Even in anti-gun states, shotguns often have fewer restrictions.

It’s effective: Nothing beats a shotgun in close-quarters home defense. Period.

A Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870? Solid choices. Even cheaper options like the Maverick 88 can get the job done.

And before someone says it — no, racking the slide isn’t a magic sound that sends bad guys running. That’s a meme. What stops threats is your training and your readiness.

Build the 4-Gun Arsenal

Your shotgun is step one. Here’s the roadmap:

Shotgun – As we’ve covered. Defense, hunting, utility.

Rifle – Preferably a semi-auto like an AR-15 for property defense and larger threats.

Handgun – For carry, concealment, and general defense.

.22 LR Rifle – For small game hunting, practice, and quiet takedowns.

This gives you defense, hunting, and training capabilities across multiple scenarios.

Training Is Non-Negotiable

Owning a gun doesn’t make you John Wick. You need to train.

Dry fire at home. Take a class. Run drills. Learn safe handling, malfunctions, and how to shoot under pressure. Training is what makes you a responsible gun owner, not just another person with a weapon.

And if you’re thinking, “I can’t afford training,” you can still watch videos, do dry fire reps, and practice on a budget. Just make sure you’re not dangerous to yourself or others.

Pepper Spray: When You Can’t Carry

There are times when you can’t carry a firearm. Work, school zones, travel — it happens. In those moments, pepper spray is a great alternative.

It’s legal in most areas

It’s non-lethal

It gives you a chance to escape and get to safety

Final Word

Security is more than just having a weapon — it’s having a plan and the skillset to back it up.

In this step of the Baby Steps series, we’re not advocating for violence. We’re advocating for preparedness. For responsibility. For the willingness to defend yourself and your loved ones when no one else will.

A gun is not a political statement. It’s not a personality trait. It’s a tool. And in a world that’s falling apart at the seams, it’s one worth having.

This is James from Survival Punk — be safe, stay trained, and don’t be a victim.