"Hoarding"

Our "all-knowing" government in Washington, D.C., has implemented steps to prevent what they have labeled "hoarding".  New emails come along almost every week warning of expected government seizure of emergency food supplies and the illegalization of stockpiling emergency supplies.  Many of us have, for many years, used the term "emergency preparedness" to describe the practice of stockpiling some extra food, clothing, medical supplies and other necessities against times of need.  Such preparations have been crucial for many people I know during the recent recession and the COVID-19 lockdowns. Now Washington, D.C., having repeatedly failed to anticipate needs for emergency support adequately themselves (think Katrina and Sandy), has decided to possibly criminalize those of us who have had the foresight to prepare to take care of ourselves.  Already they have made it illegal to stock pile extra prescription drugs (even to the extent that there are shortages in some hospitals and pharmacies) and rumors that they are actively buying up ammunition to prevent law abiding citizens from obtaining it have sparked panic buying that is creating an actual induced shortage of ammunition.  Severe restrictions on stockpiling food are also underway.  It seems "they" want to make sure that "we" are completely and forever dependent on "them".  Be aware that the time may come when the food you keep in your RV or camping supplies for convenience and for potential emergencies may be considered illegal "hoarding".   Some of this concern about hoarding is based on Executive Order 10998 issued by John F Kennedy way back in 1962, so it isn't necessarily anything new!  However, the current concerns focus on how this order is being interpreted and enforced by the Obama administration.  There are rumors that suggest they may seek to prohibit "hoarding" of basic supplies. Even current FEMA guidelines suggest maintaining a 2 weeks supply of food so you should be safe at that level -- at least for a while.  But that could change by Executive Order on a moment's notice.  Beyond that you may want to keep things pretty much to yourself, which you should do to prevent becoming a target of looting during a disaster anyway.  I've seen strong warnings as recently as February 2015, repeated again in March 2016 about pending Federal action to criminalize hoarding of food and other survival supplies.   Even more recent warnings in 2021 label preppers as criminals!

What can you do about it?  Are you willing to risk breaking the law to stockpile a little food and other supplies to handle an emergency?  Even FEMA recommends storing enough to last you 2 weeks.

If you still want to store some extra food against times of need (man-made or natural disaster, loss of employment, societal collapse) start purchasing a little extra each week and setting it aside.  Be sure to rotate your supplies so you use up the oldest stock first.  Most budgets can accommodate an extra can or two of beans or tuna each week.  Assuming you do your grocery shopping once a week, in a year you could have 50-100 cans of emergency food saved up, without creating any red flags or unwanted attention that bulk buying might generate or spending a huge amount of money all at once. And, by the way, buy foods you will actually eat.   Stocking up on rice cakes if you never eat them wouldn't do you much good.   In fact, significant changes in diet can create extreme digestive and health issues as well as have psychological consequences, neither of which is desirable during a emergency.  I know of one survivalist who insisted 1 jar of peanut butter would last him a year or more -- because he hated peanut butter and wouldn't eat it -- even if  he were starving!

Medicines are another major issue.  With legal limits on prescriptions, stocking up for extended emergencies is becoming problematic.  Even hospitals, that have a very legitimate need to store medications, are facing shortages.   One suggestion I've seen is to examine veterinary medications as alternatives.  A lot of medications people depend on (insulin, blood thinners, etc) may be really hard to obtain and keep in sufficient quantities for long term emergencies, but some things that may offer life-saving treatments in a disaster, like antibiotics, are often available as animal medications. Veterinary penicillin can usually be purchased at farm and ranch stores without a prescription and could be better than nothing in long term disaster situation.   Fish antibiotics are available without a prescription and in many cases exactly match human dosages.  For example, Fish Mox is available, without prescription, in the same 250mg dosage used for human beings.  It is even the same red and pink capsule and bears the same WC 731 identification.  Several other aquatic antibiotics also have matching human counterparts.  Be sure to examine the ingredients of any alternative medication to be sure it doesn't contain fillers or other contaminates that could be dangerous.   Single-ingredient items are usually OK, but having not been certified by the FDA, might not have been manufactured under the same strict conditions as those considered fit for human consumption.   If you are planning to be prepared for any long-term emergency having some antibiotics on hand may be critical.   Note: antibiotics should ONLY be administered when there are clear signs of infection.  Overuse will damage "good" bacteria needed to sustain good health and will promote the development of strains of "super bugs" that are resistant to antibiotics.   Another thing to consider is expiration dates.  Army testing has shown that about 90% of medications are safe and effective for 15 years beyond their stated expiration date!   That means, you don't always have to toss out our old meds the day they expire.  However, watch for signs of deterioration, such as changes in color or texture, separation of components in liquids, chalking or flaking of pills, or unusual odors.  When ordinary aspirin gets old it begins to give off a vinegar like smell.  Personally, if aspirin that smelled like vinegar was the only pain killer I had, I'd still use it (and have done so with good results and no noticeable side effects) but it is better to replace it whenever it begins to go bad -- while you have access to replace it.  So-called "folk medicine" is another valuable source of help in disaster situation.  Some natural substances may be far easier to come by.  For example, willow bark as an aspirin substitute.  I've tried it and it works.  If I find myself in desperate need of antibiotics and had none available, I have considered looking favorably on moldy bread.  Bread molds is where penicillin was originally discovered and the bacteria that makes it is virtually everywhere, except perhaps in freezing climates.  Even there, it will probably become active anytime you create a reasonably warm and comfortable environment for yourself -- and your bread.  However, bread mold may contain other types of bacteria and mold that create toxic chemicals that could make you sick. Speaking of penicillin, you may be able to purchase veterinary penicillin at a farm and ranch store without a prescription for your emergency kit.

Ammunition is not something that is easy to find substitutes for.   If you're into re-loading you may be able to extend your capacity, but that would mean stockpiling hazardous materials.  If not, take advantage of availability and make periodic small purchases as you can.  If you are finding the particular ammunition you need in short supply, you might consider buying alternate firearms with better availability.  In a long term TEOTWAWKI (The End Of The World As We Know It) scenario you may find yourself dependent on hunting for food.   It may be a good idea to develop alternate skills, such as archery and trapping.   Archery can be a good, fun activity to complement your RV and camping outings.   It would be a good idea to develop some skills BEFORE you need them for survival.  It takes some instruction and practice to become proficient.  You can probably find a field archery club somewhere near you home where you can enjoy the sport and gain valuable skills.  You can find lots of web sites that describe how to make simple deadfall or Paiute traps, but it takes some practice to get it down.   Here is one instructional video for making deadfall traps.   Even Les Stroud (Survivorman), with all his experience, sometimes has trouble with the delicate adjustments necessary to make them work.  And more than once he has come back to find a trap tripped but empty -- and the bait all gone.  Unfortunately, in a disaster situation, people who are prepared may become targets of looters and others who failed to make proper preparations and you may have to defend yourself and your family from attack.  Will you know how and will you have appropriate tools and mental attitude to do so?  Knowing what to do and being ready to do it aren't always the same thing.

Dangers of being prepared.   The dangers of not being prepared are pretty obvious:   lack of food, medicine, and fuel in a disaster situation could be life threatening.   Unfortunately, being prepared could become life threatening too.  If you are prepared -- and those around you who aren't know of it -- things could quickly reach the point where the unprepared will do ANYTHING to get what you have and they don't.  You will either need to be prepared to share your emergency supplies and knowledge or defend them.  Keeping a low profile -- security by obscurity -- is one way to minimize potential problems  But if your neighbors see you thriving when they are starving, sooner or later they're going to come knocking.  A friend of mine once told me what he would do if/when that happened.  He would get out is rifle and shoot over their heads.  He had not desire to shoot anyone. If the warning shots worked, great!  If the didn't work and the mob returned fire, he figured his problems would be over quickly.  Not sure I agree, but it is something to think about.

This topic was originally posted in 2013 but emails and news briefs continue to pop up warning against imminent government seizure of your survival supplies.  I don't understand the logic behind anyone campaigning against being prepared.  Perhaps they are reacting out of fear or jealousy or they clearly don't understand the potential or actual threats we may face. The persistence of rumors of government seizure of personal preparedness supplies is disconcerting.  If a lie is told often enough, some people begin to believe it -- or believe in it!

Security by obscurity is actually a fairly good way to protect you, your family and your valuables.  If no one knows about your preparations you aren't as likely to have them seized by the government or stolen by mobs.  Think about it.  A nice, tall, razor-wire topped fence may seem like a good idea but it virtually screams there is good stuff here and it will not stop determined government enforcement nor angry mobs.  Better to keep a low profile and avoid unwanted attention.

Illegal hoarding or wise preparedness? You decide!