What are you doing to protect yourself?

Seatbelt. Condom. Vaccines. Voting. Living outside the US and other dangerous third world countries. Flossing.

I can’t buy a gun in my country, lack of freedom I guess.

It's ok. I'm being protected by my government. I just have to fork over my ID and picture to Spotify to listen to a song with a swear word in it. 🛡️✨

Is this really a thing, now, with Spotify? Or is this just a future joke?
- It's a thing in the UK.

Well, for one thing, I'm avoiding guns.

A gun doesn't protect you. A gun turns every conflict into a life-or-death conflict.

- Guns were never the problem
  Places in the world that have far less gun proliferation statistically, objectively have far less gun violence per capita, and less injury and death resulting from it.
  It's almost as if guns aren't used to hurt people as much if they aren't available to most of the population to use. Not sure what else to tell you.

I wear a helmet when riding my bicycle.

I put on my seatbelt. I vote very, very left. I drink very little alcohol. I cut off toxic people.

Bought a gun. Have used them plenty, never figured I’d own one. Political violence by the American right is too commonplace. This administration is sweeping people off the street without due process. I’ve read history books. Might as well buy it and not need it than need it and not have it is how I feel.

And to anyone thinking about buying a gun who has never fired one, take a safety course and try it out first.

And buy a safe.
- The amount of violence perpetrated by the American Right is statistically significant in recent years. The opposite is not as significant.
  That said, of course I agree it’s the rich vs us.

https://thinkstoomuch.net/post/buyingagun/

I made this document a while back for new gun owners with the absolute basics.

Always keep well hydrated; keeps one healthy.

I moved to somewhere I’m very unlikely to be bothered

I already own a pretty decent gun.

I'm not concerned about riots or anything. If society were to crumble however, having a gun puts you leagues ahead of those who don't.

If you have the expendable income then sure, it's a hobby for many people

Better to have one and not need than to need one and not have it

I always make sure my seatbelt is on, check my mirrors, make sure I have enough fuel, and make sure I have my wallet and phone.

Since I'm not in a good position to leave the States, I'm keeping my "human antivirus" performant and updated:

Eating and living healthy, and exercising (or trying to)
Vaccines, masks, preventative care
Making a personal threat model for privacy and security and revisiting it frequently
Staying in the loop on new security vulnerabilities
Locking doors and keeping valuables out of sight
Investing in a good dashcam and non-spying vehicle
Being in the company of good people, knowing when to cut ties with bad ones, and having my community when stuff happens

Also keeping and rotating through a well-documented stock of emergency supplies. Wouldn't rule out buying a gun, but I'd want to have some more training on the matter first.Problem with having weapons is, the powers that be probably won't send someone out to get you in the middle of the night, they'll instead send lawyers after you.

Yes.