Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

That's true.

Rose42

Sadly, no we are not.

Blade_Runner Loc: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Not confrontational??? Say what? That is exactly what we must do, confront the bastards, up close and personal.

Think about this: There are a total of 4 million people working in the federal government, this includes the elected, 120,000 law enforcement agents and 2.2 million currently serving in our Armed Forces, the NG and reserves. Approximately 20% (440,000) of them are combat troops (land, sea and air) or military police, the remaining 80% are support, logistics, maintenance, non-combat engineers, administrative, intelligence, and medical personnel. (90,000 federal employees and 165,000 US troops are deployed overseas)

Moreover, the military has become heavily dependent on technology. See link below.

All who enlist in our armed forces are given very basic firearms instruction in boot camps or recruit training, and must qualify at minimum shooting sk**ls with a service rifle and pistol. Those going into the combat arms undergo advanced combat training--infantry, armor, artillery, aviation--and when these are posted to a combat unit, the training continues.

There are approximately 800,000 LE and police officers in the US,, includes federal.

Approximately 96 million American citizens own guns, many of whom are military vets.

If you care to, I recommend you read this in its entirety: The Paradox of Military Technology

The American edge decreases considerably, however, when its troops have to deploy for peacekeeping or counterinsurgency operations which leave them exposed to low-tech ambushes. “With the possible exceptions of night-vision devices, Global Positioning Systems, and shoulder-fired missiles,” writes retired Major General Robert Scales, a former commander of the Army War College, “there is no appreciable technological advantage for an American infantryman when fighting the close battle against even the poorest, most primitive enemy.”

Let's consider the military. Those who go into the combat arms are patriots, they take their oath seriously. Would they, even under orders, turn on their fellow Americans? National Guard troops are home boys, they generally serve in their home towns, live with their families and among their friends. It is a fact that many who join the military today are seeking training and education for future civilian employment. I recall watching a video of a young female petty officer in the US Navy who was shocked when told her unit was being sent to a war zone overseas. She raised hell, said she didn't join the Navy to go k**l anybody, she joined for the education and benefits.

I don't know, bahmer, old buddy, it is virtually impossible to envision all the scenarios in a SHTF situation, especially if it was nationwide. I had the opportunity to discuss this with a sheriff's deputy who had declared his candidacy for county sheriff in our last local e******n. He told me to consider the demographics.

80% of Americans live in cities, metropolitan, or congested areas. A large percentage of them are totally dependent on the infrastructure, the local government and the police. A total breakdown of law and order in those areas would overwhelm the police, fire depts, and medical personnel.

Those who live in rural areas, as I do, are far more self-reliant, independent, and are definitely keen on preparedness. That of course includes training with firearms. Damn near everyone I know here are active shooters--h****rs, ranchers, and the like. (Lots of Mormons in this neck of the woods, and they are seriously into being prepared.)

So what about a massive protest in Washington DC? Could we pull that off without getting anyone injured or k**led? Way I see it that would need extraordinary leadership and organizational sk**ls and it would be wise that not a single firearm be allowed. Just one whackjob with a gun could touch off a tragedy. A massive peaceful protest though would definitely send them a message.

However, if just 50% (45 million) of American gun owners marched into DC locked and loaded, we could clean that dump up in a New York minute.