Specific "what gun" question...

[MissiontoMars]

Re-building, Re-organizing my family's bug-out gear for natural disasters. (The socal fires got me thinking)

I know what personal items we're going to grab -very minimal. We have a few backpacks and a small rolling suitcase for one or more of the kids to grab.

I'm trying to think through what would be the least problematic gun to bring with us.

For example I know that certain folks were evacuated from their homes to a school. It seems problematic to have a handgun in that situation due to School zone rules, even if it was locked up. I'm sure if the situation called for it, to stop a threat, for example you'd fall under an exemption, but

Makes me think one of our rifles or a shotgun would probably be best.

[SoberClurichaun]

Wouldn't having a rifle or shotgun put you in the same position as having a handgun in school grounds?

[ElDub1950]

Seems like a rifle or shotgun would be far more problematic .. a handgun and mags can be kept out of sight in your backpack.

[ConcealedKalifornia]

Yeah i'd go handgun, and hide the thing. I would bet a paycheck that if you walked into an evac zone with a long gun that a cop would take it from you in a blink of an eye. you may get lucky not to get arrested (because they are busy with the evac) but I wouldn't risk it.

Id go with an easy to conceal gun and hide it in your bag.

[Mitch]

Why not evacuate yourself to someplace besides a school?

[ElDub1950]

Why not evacuate yourself to someplace besides a school?

That's a good point too. The only time I ever had to evacuate I spent the night in a casino

[billofrights]

Why not evacuate yourself to someplace besides a school?

Your SHTF plan should never be "go along with FEMA." That said, I'd go with a handgun in my bag over a long gun.

[mabilis_matulis]

Handgun.. Much easier to go around..

[SILENT GUNMAN]

If it came down to an evac for me, my family and I are taking our chances in the woods. With my hunting gear we could survive indefinitely out there. Of course I have a wife, 3 kids, and 2 horses to help carry supplies and ammo. We don't get many fires around where I live so my plan should work with most situations around here.

To your specific question I would stick with a full size pistol in at least 9mm. A few extra mags would be a good idea too. Get a pack with a hidden compartment to keep it in, or make a hidden compartment in the pack you have. That way if they do a bag check you are more likely to get it through in the rush to process all the people flooding through the doors of the evac site.

[speedrrracer]

I'm sure if the situation called for it, to stop a threat, for example you'd fall under an exemption

They're not called exemptions, they're called felonies

Get your LTC if you can. If you plan on staying with Uncle Sam, you're going to have to play by his rules. Keep it concealed, don't print at all...the other sheeple in the shelter with you will probably go into hysterics if they think you have a gun, at which point you'll be treated very badly by heavily armed men.

A better plan might be to avoid Club Fed entirely, but we all have to make our choices.

[penguin0123]

Your SHTF plan should never be "go along with FEMA."

One look at Katrina should convince anyone that going along with FEMA isn't a good idea. If you're got out of state relative / friends, then you have an alternative option.

My rule of thumb is to pack for 3 days, have 3 evacuation locations, and have 3 routes.

Also, lets keep the suggestions legal.

[Jimi Jah]

I was evacuated from Carlsbad yesterday. I brought the wife and cats. Everything else I left. I do carry a 9mm in the jeep so I had that.

I'm back but trapped. The CPD has blocked off all the roads. Legoland is back open but I can't get there. At least I have a pool but it's full of ash.

[Squidward]

You said, "specific"... Glock 19 with multiple magazines. One for you, one for your wife

[09rubicon]

Everyone is a little different. Sure I have my carry gun and might have time to grab more, but if all else fails I have an AR-7 and a brick of ammo in a buggout bag. Sure .22 is not the best, but it is a deterent (anyone here wanna volunteer to get shot with one?), you can hunt small game, I can carry 525 rounds (value pack), it breaks down small enough and is light.

[MissiontoMars]

You said, "specific"... Glock 19 with multiple magazines. One for you, one for your wife

Sorry, should have been more clear, we have guns already. Enough that we can pick and choose. Thanks for the suggestion, tho.

And thanks to everyone else for their insights.