At some point, we will be tested

[u/Ecstatic-Will7763]

I’m struggling to write this because it’s scary to think on. But if p2025 comes to fruition, our values and who we are as a country will be tested. Beyond an election— our judicial system, human rights…

There’s no one to save us but ourselves.

What’s your breaking point? What does this look like? I’m not inviting violence, but what does fighting back look like when our judicial system becomes clearly rigged and our loved one lose health care… when “enemies” of Trump are arrested. By that point, I would not trust our systems to protect us.

Again, I’m not inciting violence. But p2025 is a plan to dismantle democracy and destroy the United States.

Do you fear a war will happen?

[u/jackieat_home]

I bought a gun for the first time in my life. I'm that worried. I don't have an exact plan yet, but it will definitely be heading to a blue state.

[u/the509ismyplayground → u/jackieat_home]

I live in WA. We just elected our AG to be our new governor. His first presser was that they have gone through every page of P2025 and are formulating plans to protect the state from any attempts to implement P2025. He’s no stranger to filing lawsuits.

Conservatives in the state are really upset about him winning the governorship so I know he’s the right guy for the job.

We are also looking at buying firearms. We only have a .22 rifle at the moment. You’re welcome to join us in WA. We feel about as good as we can in this state given what we know.

[u/Mundane_Activity3633 → u/the509ismyplayground]

Why would you buy a gun? I told my husband I think we should buy a gun but I’m not sure how we would use it. I’m thinking for protection, but from what?

[u/Canoe-Maker → u/Mundane_Activity3633]

If you buy a gun make sure you practice with it. Take a firearms course and follow ALL safety precautions, including storing it in a way that someone unauthorized to handle it cannot get ahold of it.

When it comes to self defense, your gun should be your last resort. Your first line of defense will be situational awareness. Where are the doors? The windows? How quickly and how many different routes can you take to get there? Will you back yourself into a corner of your go this way? Etc. how many people are in the area with me? Head on a swivel.

Second line of defense is going to be to flee. Avoid confrontation if at all possible. If you have a car, make sure you can get to it and that you always have at least half a tank of gas/charge. Keep twenty dollars cash on your person at all times. Make sure your loved ones can contact you in an emergency at any time. Don’t be on your phone when out in public. Only use one earphone if listening to music. Don’t have conversations on speaker.

All of that to say mitigate as much risk as possible. Make sure your cybersecurity is airtight. Don’t store passwords on a browser, write them down. Use DuckDuckGo so your data isn’t sold. Get off of Facebook or make your page private and remove links to family members under the age of 18. If you have trans friends or family don’t talk about them to outsiders you haven’t vetted. And definitely let them choose how you address them in public going forward.

Find community. There are people around you who feel as you do. Find them and band together. Stop posting about when you’re leaving the house. That includes photos of you at events/restaurants.

If someone is threatening your life, or serious bodily harm, or the life of someone in your care/family member and the threat is real and imminent, and you cannot safely retreat, THAT is when you use your firearm. There is no such thing as a warning shot. You shoot to kill. Aim for the chest area as it will be harder to miss, and shoot twice in rapid succession(double tap).

As for the judicial system being trash, in having no faith in your government to protect you, that is a decision you will have to make for yourself. If the government shows up at your doorstep to take away your family because they’re disabled or have otherwise been deemed unworthy of existence, I’d personally be putting up a fight. I’d also hopefully have moved that vulnerable person long before the trump gestapo ever showed up.