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Are Guns and Ammo the New Gold and Silver?
SHTFPLAN>COM ^ | 12/21/2011 | Mac Slavo

Posted on 12/22/2011 9:55:45 AM PST by JohnKinAK

As the economic crisis has worsened over the last several years we have made it a point to inform our readers about the possibility of a system collapse so severe that the regular flow of commerce comes to a screeching halt. Planning for such a far-from-equilibrium scenario, which may very well involve the collapse of a nation’s currency, requires that we consider alternative monetary vehicles to help us get through tough times. In What is Money When The System Collapses? we outlined several supplies that would become essential in a post-collapse world. Thing like food, water, gas, and clothing would become necessities not just for your personal use, but as barterable assets.

We’ve always advocated investment into precious metals like gold, and especially silver in “junk” form, as these will likely be some of the few recognizable emerging currencies if the worst were to happen. Another asset class that will likely experience a boom in a post-collapse world is guns and ammunition.

If there’s one thing you may have noticed about guns and ammunition over the last ten years, and especially since the economic and financial collapse of 2008, it’s that prices for these assets have steadily risen. Some may suggest this is a side effect of inflation, and while we won’t disagree that inflation has played a part, it is only a symptom of a deeper, more fundamental issue that is driving the value of these assets to historical highs.

The people have lost confidence in the government’s ability to mitigate this crisis and they have no trust that government officials have their best interests at heart. Recent developments on financial, economic, and political fronts have left aware and responsibility-minded Americans with no choice but to take their financial and physical security into their own hands. As a result we’ve seen sustained multi-year growth growth in the value of traditional wealth preservation assets of last resort like gold and silver. Moreover, and quite telling of the lack of trust the American people have in their government, there has been an unprecedented growth in the number of Americans investing in non-traditional stores of wealth that include assets like guns and ammunition.

For many, guns and ammo are the new gold and silver. Historically these assets have retained or increased their value, while also serving a practical purpose for post-collapse emergency preparedness planning.

Via Ammo.net:

Some of the fear-based psychological reasons for gold’s popularity in times of economic crisis appear to be similar to the reasons cited for purchasing guns and ammunition. Michael Thompson, a small business owner from Virginia, had this to say about why he recently purchased 2,000 rounds of 223 ammunition to go with his growing collection of AR-15 assault rifles: “Since ARs are so well-known & widespread, quality ones don’t really go down in value. I don’t trust what’s going on in Washington and a reliable firearm that’ll hold it’s value plus ammo that I can always re-sell later if I don’t use it up seems like as safe a place as any to put my money in these uncertain times.”

Dustin Ramsey, a 28 year old self-proclaimed “realist” from Tennessee who says hunting and fishing are two of his favorite outdoor activities, counts the 5,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition he keeps on-hand as one of his investments along with gold coins: “I’m a hunter so I know I can use my guns & ammo to feed my family if something happens to our usual food supply and there’s a run at our grocery store. Plus, it seems like somebody on Wall Street is always getting bailed out nowadays and my faith in the stock market has been gone for a long time. Look, I’ve seen what happens when times get tough and I figure I can always barter a popular caliber like 9mm for other supplies like I would with gold if push comes to shove. And if a crisis never materializes where I need my stash of ammo, I still love to shoot so those bullets won’t go to waste. Given the uncertainty in our world, ammunition seems more practical to me than gold, whether there’s an economic crisis or not.”

The following fact sheet (via Ammo.net) offers some compelling statistics for the viability of guns and ammunition as investment and/or wealth protections vehicles:

Firearms and ammunition may not be a typical investment asset for most, but considering the growth we have seen in the last decade, many more Americans are turning to them in times of uncertainty, crisis and distrust. We have yet to see our government make any significant changes to our economic policies, regulators continue to ignore the fraudulent activities and outright scams in financial circles, our currency is under threat of losing its world reserve status, more Americans than ever require government assistance just to put food on the table, and our liberties are being progressively restricted on an almost daily basis.

Given the reaction to these circumstances thus far, it should be apparent that for those looking to protect their wealth, as well as their lives as crime and violence rise, guns and ammunition may be an excellent egg to add to the diversification basket.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; preparedness; stockpilesong; touchnotthecat
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Excellent Graphic chart at website.
1 posted on 12/22/2011 9:55:51 AM PST by JohnKinAK
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To: JohnKinAK

Note to self:

Go buy more ammo.

(I always have a few hundred extra rounds. I should keep thousands though, huh.)


2 posted on 12/22/2011 10:00:17 AM PST by Tenacious 1 (Liberals draw conclusions on clouds with invisible ink from a unicorn horn dipped in Pixidust!)
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To: JohnKinAK

3 posted on 12/22/2011 10:00:36 AM PST by blam
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To: JohnKinAK

with guns and ammo, I’ve always found I can get the other stuff if I needed to. To be clear to others before I get flamed, I have food, medical supplies (the knowledge to use the supplies) water and a bug out piece of property.....but if the S really hit the fan I’d rather have lead than gold...10/10 times.


4 posted on 12/22/2011 10:00:55 AM PST by Dick Vomer (democrats are like flies, whatever they don't eat they sh#t on.)
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To: JohnKinAK

“.....he recently purchased 2,000 rounds of 223 ammunition...”

Lightweight. LOL


5 posted on 12/22/2011 10:02:04 AM PST by Gator113 (~Just livin' life, my way~.. Newt/Palin-West-2012."got a lot swirling around in my head.")
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To: JohnKinAK

Don’t forget that lead and gold have entirely different delivery mechanisms.


6 posted on 12/22/2011 10:02:07 AM PST by umgud
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To: JohnKinAK

It’s often said. The three most Precious Metals are...

Gold
Silver
Lead


7 posted on 12/22/2011 10:02:07 AM PST by Responsibility2nd (NO LIBS! This means liberals AND libertarians (same thing) NO LIBS!)
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To: JohnKinAK
I tell my wife all the time when expending cash on ammo and boom sticks; They are assets. Usable assets that can be converted back to cash at any time if not needed for defense and hunting.
8 posted on 12/22/2011 10:02:23 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts (Attacking Wall Street because you're jobless is like burning down Whole Foods because you're hungry.)
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To: JohnKinAK

This has been my argument against buying gold and silver in a SHTF crisis. Guns, ammo, and many other survival things have risen much less. Better allocation of my dollars to cheaper things that will have more utility.


9 posted on 12/22/2011 10:02:38 AM PST by Free Vulcan (Vote Republican! You can vote Democrat when you're dead.)
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To: JohnKinAK

As Victor David Hanson wrote, civilization is retreating from America, it might be wise to have a load of ammo.


10 posted on 12/22/2011 10:02:57 AM PST by junta ("Peace is a racket", testimony from crime boss Barrack Hussein Obama.)
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts

I toss a brick of .22 LR into the cart every time I hit the sporting goods store.


11 posted on 12/22/2011 10:05:08 AM PST by Lurker (The avalanche has begun. The pebbles no longer have a vote.)
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To: blam

.
The Stockpile Song

Take the flag down from the place
where it led the human race.
Run up U.N. white and blue.
That’s what your “leaders” want to do.
They don’t seem to understand
we are a patriotic band.
So spread the word across the land
and stockpile weapons while you can.

Public schools were first to go.
They’re run by leftists as you know.
So school your children safe at home
far from the propaganda zone.
For they don’t want to understand
we are a family loving band.
So spread the word around the land
and stockpile knowledge while you can.

Stage and screen and on T.V.
they’re mocking God in all we see.
They may close your church some day
but they can’t stop us when we pray.
For they refuse to understand
we are a Jesus loving band.
So spread the word across the land
and stockpile Bibles while you can.

Somewhere there near your hometown
professor’s robe or judge’s gown,
there is a leftist who must go.
So lock and load and let them know.
For time will come they’ll understand
we are a patriotic band.
So spread the word across the land
and stockpile weapons while you can.
.


12 posted on 12/22/2011 10:05:32 AM PST by Touch Not the Cat (Where is the light? Wonder if it's weeping somewhere...)
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To: JohnKinAK

Are Guns and Roses the new Led and Zeppelin?

I’m sorry but the question makes just about as much sense. Things are what they are, and don’t become the “new” anything despite the ponderings of a retarded blogger.


13 posted on 12/22/2011 10:06:00 AM PST by Larry Lucido
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To: JohnKinAK

Lead and brass to protect the gold and silver.


14 posted on 12/22/2011 10:09:36 AM PST by Eagles6
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To: Tenacious 1
But a .22LR.

Thousand of rounds can be affordably acquired and easily stored.

Then when you appear in the news, the LSM can claim that your place was a fortified arsenal and add the .22LR to the larger stuff to indicate that you're a r-w wacko clinging to your ammo.

15 posted on 12/22/2011 10:11:25 AM PST by Paladin2
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To: JohnKinAK

Other great bartering items:

1) Liquor
2) Aspirin
3) canned goods
4) cigarettes
5) bug spray
6) soap
7) a can opener
8) candles
9) batteries
10) everyone’s major need-—Toilet paper


16 posted on 12/22/2011 10:12:00 AM PST by Le Chien Rouge
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To: Kartographer

Ping.


17 posted on 12/22/2011 10:12:59 AM PST by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: JohnKinAK

BLOAT

(Buy Lots Of Ammo Today)


18 posted on 12/22/2011 10:14:03 AM PST by oldfart (Obama nation = abomination. Think about it!)
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To: JohnKinAK

also salt, toilet paper, and medical supplies (hydrogen peroxide is cheap at the dollar store and I use it in my laundry too)


19 posted on 12/22/2011 10:14:32 AM PST by Mr. K (Physically unable to profreed <--- oops, see?)
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To: Le Chien Rouge
"10) everyone’s major need-—Toilet paper"

Doesn't Sharia law claim that you're supposed to use your left hand?

20 posted on 12/22/2011 10:15:02 AM PST by Paladin2
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