WROL was a new one to me, thanks for explaining it. I would, however, like to add a couple of modifiers.
WROLAA (without Rule of Law AT ALL)
WROLAAEA (Without Rule of Law AT ALL EVER AGAIN)
Now, we have forum rules against discussions of the zombie apocalypse, TEOTWAWKI (the end of the world as we know it), and other similiar situations, because they are all, in the end, fantasy and a waste of forum space.
WROL is, however a credible situation, provided you realize that it is going to be a localized and
temporary condition. Such as hurricane or other disaster cutting off an area temporarily, and existing law enforcement agencies being temporarily overwhelmed.
While it may be fun intelectual speculation, the idea of getting more ammo (for anything) in such a situation is pure fantasy. And the reasons are simple;
First, and most important, the ammo belongs to somebody, and in a lawless situation, they simply are not going to sell or barter, let alone give you any.
Basic capitalism and human greed are going to be hard at work in that kind of situation. The ONLY thing more important than weapons and ammo is food and water. And food and water are more easily shared (parted with) during such a crisis, because they are a renewable resource. Things may be short right now, but if we survive, we can grow more food, and water can be purified. SO, people will be more willing to sell/barter/share food and water, at least until stocks become so low that starvation is in sight before relief is expected.
NOT SO with ammo. You aren't going to get it from the cops, or the military, the plain fact is that if you approach them peacefully and ask, they are much more likely to take yours away from you!
Stores will be closed, most likely, and even picking up rounds off the "bodies of the dead" or from their empty homes & warehouses is looting, and the "authorities" (let alone private citizens protecting their property) are likely to shoot you on sight, if caught in the act of looting! Getting replacement ammo that way is a very, very BAD IDEA.
Which brings up my second point, why would you need it, to begin with? Are you going to be shooting everything that moves within handgun range? Not a good plan. Gonna be standing off the starving hordes of less prepared desperate people with your handgun(s)? Maybe, I suppose its possible, but considering what that would take to be successful, I don't think its a very credible situation. And also, when Rule of Law returns (and barring the end of the world, it WILL RETURN) you are going to be held accountable for your actions. Probably to a much looser standard than pre-WROL times, but still, you will be held accountable by the authorities in some fashion. Count on that.
Another thing to consider is that total WROL is unlikely to extend to more than a small area, and even though many places have passed laws against it, the authorities are going to confiscate all the arms and ammo they find, every time they can. Count on that too. Even those that will obey the law and not confiscate arms "for public safety" are going to forbid the sale. Its the current law nearly everywhere that if there is a declared emergency (and this is going to happen well before they actually declare martial law) that all sales of firearms, ammo, and alcohol are suspended in the affected areas.
The bottom line is, if there is any large scale disruption in civil order, if you need ammo, you are NOT going to be able to count on getting it.
Best to have what you feel is the minimum you would need to ride out the crisis, on hand, where you can get it. Thousands of rounds in a secure cache in the mountains (or where ever) does you no good if you can't get to it, either.
So, lets keep this discussion on reasonably possible situations and not how to shoot your way through the end of all that is, or this thread will end.
If, its not already be too late!
