Many now believe that the United States could descend into political violence. As chaos erupts in the streets of Los Angeles, one thing becomes disturbingly clear: this is no longer just a protest. It’s a rupture in the foundation of the American social contract. What began as localized unrest over a police-involved incident has spiraled into widespread violent demonstrations, looting, and direct confrontations with law enforcement.
But this isn’t just about L.A. anymore—this could be the opening chapter in a national nightmare.
Some Americans are beginning to wake up. They’re joining survivalist communities, canning food, and buying firearms and ammunition. In today’s world, most people live in developed suburban or urban areas rather than rural homesteads. That means when disaster strikes, many will find themselves struggling to survive in the concrete jungle—with limited resources, dense populations, and rising desperation.
So, it’s only prudent to ask:
How well can you survive amidst looting, violence, and the desperation of the unprepared—or the outright hostile?
Civil War I vs. Civil War II: What’s at Stake?
America’s first civil war claimed around 750,000 lives—approximately 2.5% of the population at the time. If the same percentage died today, over 7 million Americans would perish. That’s roughly the population of Arizona. But given modern urban density, globalization, and the number of weapons in civilian hands, the death toll in a second civil war could be much higher.
Consider this: the number of unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. is estimated to be around 11 million, though estimates vary slightly depending on the source and methodology used. That’s still a massive number. For context, the American Civil War—the bloodiest conflict in U.S. history—involved approximately 3 million combatants. Now imagine what could happen if even a small fraction of today’s 11 million undocumented individuals decided to resist deportation en masse during a time of political or civil upheaval. The potential for widespread unrest is real, and it would strain the already fragile systems meant to maintain order.
The recent anti-immigration raid protests that began in Los Angeles are now spreading across the country. In New York City, dozens have been arrested. L.A. has entered its sixth day of unrest. An overnight curfew has been imposed downtown.
Some of this behavior seems unfathomable. But to those who study history, nature, and human behavior, it’s tragically predictable. Cruelty, violence, and chaos are the products of propaganda and fear—tools that have been used over and over to incite division and destruction.
The real question is: Can the nation survive the chaos it unleashes?
If we don’t confront this uncomfortable reality, we risk waking up in a country unrecognizable—shattered not by enemies from without, but by internal division and our failure to prepare.
When SHTF: Turning Your Home Into a Fortress
In a true SHTF (S*** Hits The Fan) scenario, you may need to defend your home and supplies from looters and violent opportunists. The key to survival is preparation—and that starts now, before the crisis arrives. Once society begins to break down, it’s too late to run to the hardware store or install cameras.
Degrees of Home Fortification
Home defense exists on a spectrum. Some extreme measures—like booby traps—are only appropriate when law enforcement is no longer functioning. But other preparations can and should begin today. By fortifying your home now, you make it a less desirable target even during normal times.
Remember: your goal is to make your home appear harder to rob than the one next door.
You may not own a castle with a moat, but with the right steps, you can create a stronghold that discourages criminals and protects your family.
Home Defense: Step-by-Step
1. First Line of Defense: See Them Coming
Visibility is power. Install security cameras to monitor your property. Use motion-detecting lights to expose anyone creeping around after dark. Even a peephole lets you distinguish friend from potential threat at the front door.
2. Secure the Perimeter
Before intruders reach your front door, stop them at the perimeter:
- Fences are your first layer of physical defense. In a crisis, add barbed wire to discourage climbing.
- Post warning signs like “No Trespassing” or “Beware of Dog.”
- Better yet—own a dog. Guard dogs not only provide protection but statistically deter property crime in entire neighborhoods.
3. Make Your Home Unattractive to Looters
Most homes aren’t built with security in mind. Fancy alarm systems may sound impressive, but during widespread civil unrest, no one may come when they’re triggered. You need passive and active measures that don’t rely on a functioning police force.
Block access to entry points:
- Use thorny or prickly landscaping to discourage foot traffic.
- Set up trip wires connected to noise-makers, floodlights, or warning alarms.
- Consider legal booby traps like spike strips hidden near weak points—while checking your state laws beforehand.
The harder it is to get to your home, the more time you have to react—and the more likely intruders are to give up and move on.
4. Reinforce Doors and Windows
If they reach your home, don’t let them in:
- Use solid core or metal doors.
- Install deadbolts, door braces, and long screws to reinforce frames and strike plates.
- Add window film or tempered glass to delay break-ins.
- Use wooden dowels to lock sliding glass doors or windows.
- Consider burglar bars—but always include quick-release mechanisms in case of fire or emergency.
5. Create a Safe Room
If your perimeter and exterior defenses fail, your last line of defense is a safe room—a secure area where your family can retreat while awaiting help or planning an escape.
Don’t stop there:
- Train regularly in self-defense.
- Have an evacuation plan and a bug-out bag ready to go.
- Teach every family member what to do, where to go, and how to survive.
Final Thoughts: When There Is No Rule of Law
Desperation changes people. In a world without 911, you are the first responder. You are the one who has to protect your loved ones.
So act now:
- Install cameras and motion lights
- Build physical barriers
- Plant defensive landscaping
- Get a dog
- Reinforce entry points
- Consider non-lethal and lethal deterrents
- Prepare a safe room
- Train for combat, escape, and survival
You don’t need to live in fear. You need to live prepared.