You know that post-apocalyptic fantasy where society collapses immediately into a mess of raiders and gangs who have copious amounts of guns and never ending ammunition? I was thinking... if an apocalypse happened here in my country (Argentina), I don’t even know where I would find a gun (and I don’t know how to fire one anyways). Civilian rifles are rare here, and a revolver would quickly run out of ammuntion (go ahead, try to find an ammunition factory or gun store after the apocalyse). I can see police and military using them, but it kinda subverts the whole “one guy against the world” plot so common in post-apocalytic stories.
In fact, guns are kinda useless in the post-apocalyse. Where you find ammunition? How do you maintain them? Where do you find them in the first place? And why do you use them? Sure, you can form a gang and terrorize people and steal stuff (which stuff exactly? it’s the post-apocalypse, nobody has shit) until you run out of ammo and canned food, but wouldn’t knives or improvised weapons work better?
I can think of a lot more valuable things to have in the post apocalypse: food, water, shelter, medical supplies, technical and survival knowledge, a good community. I mean, a single gun won’t save me if random raiders come (I know; I’ve been assaulted before). Having a strong, well-fed and skillful community maybe could.
So, where does the fantasy of “A man and his rifle” comes from? Why are guns so common in post-apocalyptic fiction?
OH
RIGHT
