Life is too slippery for books – what counts as easy in your favorite comic may not be so when things really go down. In any disaster, many preppers need to figure out how to pack their firearm. A gun needs to be relatively concealed yet within reach so that you can defend yourself quickly if you need to.

So what is the survivalist to do? We’ve taken some of the best advice on packing firearms during a SHTF scenario that may help:

Own at least 1 handgun

If TEOTWAWKI ever does happen, industry experts will always say that the AR-15 is the one gun they’d bring with them. That being said, in “lesser” disasters, a handgun will suffice and is generally recommended for the beginner prepper. The beauty of handguns lays in their ability to be drawn easily and being relatively inconspicuous. Remember that during a SHTF scenario, you want to look as invisible as possible.

There are many suggestions as to which handgun you should bring. Some gun enthusiasts say that snub-nosed guns should be avoided since they are typically harder to shoot and may not be enough if you are faced with multiple attackers. Others, on the other hand, say that snub-nosed guns are ideal for women because of their size. We recommend that you choose something easy to learn and fire, such as a 9mm. You can choose your maker and model. Whether it’s Glock, S&W, or Springfield Armory, they’re more or less comparable. Most 9mm models also have various magazines that you can purchase to hold more cartridges.

Make sure that your gun doesn’t print

It always definitely smart to have your pistol strapped to your hip during a disaster, but it’s equally important that you keep your firearm concealed rather than open-carried. You should also practice making sure that your gun doesn’t print on your person. You do not want to attract any unwanted attention when SHTF.

One of the easiest ways to avoid this is to experiment with the various positions you’d most likely be making during emergencies or even when walking. Try adjusting your holster forward and rearward directly on the hip. You’re trying to look for a balance between two factors: comfort and where the pistol prints least.

Still keep a rifle within easy access

Semi-automatic rifles, such as an AR-15 or AK-46, are — without a doubt — a superior option for defense over a handgun. There are a lot of reasons for this: it carries more bullets, it is more powerful and thus has greater stopping power, it has a longer range, and has greater bullet velocity. Semi-automatic rifles are also a great deterrent against multiple attackers. In the right hands, rifles are arguably more useful against multiple attackers than even a shotgun. This versatility is what makes rifles considered the ultimate defensive weapon.

We generally do not recommend that you carry a rifle on your person during SHTF. However, you should have one within easy reach. This is especially important when you are in a dangerous or unfamiliar area. When you’re sleeping, for example, you’ll want to keep it under your bedside. If you need to leave your bug in location, you’d want your rifle nearby. You get the idea. (Related: Prepper essentials: A guide to camouflaging your property.)

Always carry spare magazines and ammunition

If you find yourself in a lawless society, you are faced with the strong possibility of being attacked by multiple people. In this case, you may need to reload your defensive firearm. You want to make sure that you have at least one or two spare magazines with you at all times.

Lastly, remember that even during emergency situations, you still need to obey the law. Make sure that you do not draw the attention of the authorities and that you abide by all the laws that relate to guns and concealed carry in your area. Does your state or city have a stand on ground law, for instance? Is it legal to draw your firearm and aim it at somebody? Always be cautious when you carry a firearm. Just because it’s a grid down situation doesn’t mean that all laws are meaningless. The only time the law “goes away” is if martial law is declared.

Sources include:

PreppersWill.com

SHTFBlog.com

GunBelts.com

BallisticMag.com