In case you don’t know, martial law is when the government takes over a designated territory, suspends constitutional rights, and enforces authoritarian power with the use of the military. Basic civilian rights such as a trial before imprisonment and other democratic processes are limited or suspended completely. Every democracy has the potential for martial law.
Martial law usually happens during something like a large riot, a terrorist attack, or a large-scale natural disaster. During frightening events like these, many people prefer to give up their rights so they can have the peace of mind an authoritarian government offers. Who needs rights as long as you can feel safe from looters, right?
The trouble is, there have been instances where martial law has gone too far. In the video below, you’ll see what happened after hurricane Katrina.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some things that can happen during martial law. To be clear, not all of these things will happen every time martial law is imposed. In fact, if every one of them happened at once it would be a very rare and extreme event. However, each of these things has been known to happen, so they’re worth preparing for.
1. Confiscation of Firearms
As it shows in the video above, one of the first things to occur under martial law is the confiscation of firearms. Any civilian with a firearm will be deemed a threat, which means it’s important to hide your weapons in a place that only you and trusted family or friends know about.
Have multiple stashes so if one stash is found, you can pretend that’s all there is. If you have a bunker, keep some weapons and firearms there as well. Make sure you have plenty of ammo, too.
Expect to be searched without cause. Anything that is found on you is in danger of being taken. Keep this in mind when going out so that you don’t lose something valuable to government forces or other opportunistic enemies. Also, if you have children in your home, please keep your gun in a combination safe like this one.
2. Curfew
Curfew under martial law will be strictly enforced, and it is inadvisable to break it. In the event that you must go out past curfew, be prepared. Know back routes and less traveled paths to your destination. Stealth is of the utmost importance, so be sure you have the appropriate gear to move about quickly and undetected.
If you must travel in groups, keep them small. The larger the group, the higher the risk of being detected.
3. Restriction of Free Speech
Your constitutional rights are void under martial law, so it’s best to keep your opinions to yourself. There will be people who will object to martial law, and those that loudly protest will suffer. A protester during martial law is likely to be imprisoned and possibly shot.
If you have the desire to rally together a militia, do so with extreme care and discretion. Militias typically operate underground as they are the weaker and smaller force.
4. Forcible Removal from Property
Just because you own the land or house you live in doesn’t mean you’ll be allowed to stay there once martial law is in place. Depending on the situation, it is possible that many people, including you, will be relocated. They may also decide to set up camp in your home, so be prepared for this.
Have a bug out bag ready at all times in the event of martial law so when the time comes you can relocate quickly and safely.
You may choose to stay on your property and in your house, but it would be a high-risk move for the average homeowner. The precautions taken to prevent the take-over of your home are only going to be effective against looters and not against well-equipped and trained government forces.
5. Confiscation of Food Supplies
Along with your firearms, military forces may choose to take your food supplies as well as other basic living essentials. If you have any medicine you need, hide it somewhere. Keep most of your medicine in your bunker, a little on your person, and the rest in a hidden location in case you are unable to bunker down in time.
While most people stock up on food supplies at home, it would be wise to have a good stock of food and water in a well-prepared bunker. Homes are easy targets and may be raided for supplies by military forces, leaving you high and dry as well as dependent on the government for your next meal.
6. Detained or Imprisoned at Will
For whatever reason, you may be imprisoned by military forces without provocation. They may find you suspicious or threatening, mistake you for someone else, or just hate your face. The best thing to do under military law is to stay out of sight. Never draw attention to yourself.
In the event that you are in the presence of or confronted by government forces, always act as a good citizen should, being readily obedient until you can slip away.
Summary
Martial law has happened countless times before, and it is bound to happen again. You can learn more about martial law in this article. Remember, if martial law is in place, you are in danger and it is in your best interest to hide until normal government functions resume. It is important that you at least have a plan of action for when martial law takes place.
Your survival is all that will matter in that time, and it will not be an easy effort. There are many opportunists and bad people out there that will thrive under martial law. You will need to be able to defend yourself from such people.
Defending yourself from an attack is the worst case scenario and best avoided by staying out of sight. Don’t go out in public, and especially avoid high trafficked areas. Learn basic survival skills like hunting and off grid cooking. You must be ready for anything.
If you have a bunker to hide out in, be sure not to take any cell phones or GPS devices that could give away your location (even if you think you can’t get a signal underground). Only leave your bunker or hiding spot when absolutely necessary. Your welfare during martial law will depend on your preparedness.
all this talk about the u k declaring Martial Law i have noticed that a lot of comments are from people living overseas like the u s a i have not seen one person from the u k leave a comment yet only myself what i would like to know is this if Martial Law is declared in the u k what will happen to our daily lives does this mean that all shops and supermarkets will be closed
This sounds like something from a dystopian novel. regardless, just stay out of sight. Nobody cares about you if they dont know you exist.
I hear they are bringing in troops from other countries to enforce laws here. The theory is they are more likely to turn on Americans than Americans would be.
The world government was prophesied in the Bible and it will come about by force. If people study, they will understand what is about to happen and will be prepared. It is coming. Align yourself with Christ.
In the event that other countries are brought in, by America, to fight against American people, it seems hard to believe that god anticipated or wanted that. Even if he didn’t want it, he allowed it, and that’s just as bad. Seems kinda evil to me
If God allows something to happen it is evil? So if God allows you to believe that there is no God then that must be stupid or evil. Or if God lets you rob a bank or molest your child then God is a bad god. I guess the world should be more like a video game where or better yet a pg video game where if you try to do or go somewhere bad an invisible wall should just be there so that it keeps us from touching the forbidden fruit. So you can try to run and commit murder but you end up running in place instead.
Man such a good idea, I wonder why God didn’t think of that I’m sure one of us would make a better god. Free will whip needs it.
There will always be the gungho troops that will do whatever they are told to do, but the majority of the troops have already said they will not turn on the American people. That will drop their numbers radically and add greatly to our numbers with more trained people.
They are going to use the U. N.
Calm down Francis, enough with the fear porn.
Read Paul Howe’s article “The 2nd Ammendment and the Kool Aid drinkers”.
Don’t hide your guns like a squirrel hiding acorns. Instead keep your best stuff at hand and be ready to stand up and be counted. Don’t be violent. Communicate effectively, organize, and stand your ground lawfully.
That sounds very good…..in theory.
You mean like they are peacefully standing their ground at Standing Rock? How is that working for them?
Sounds good till they knock down your door! Then what?
Martial Law doesn’t even need to be declared to see some of those measures being implemented ….
I reference the door-to-door in the Boston area after the Marathon Bombing – innocent homeowners goose walked out of their homes under machine gun mounted armor vehicles …
I don’t agree. What’s to prevent UN troops, Chinese, Islamic Terrorists, Russians, etc. from carrying out martial law. Not at the entire country at one time but in sections. With the present administration and especially if Hillary is elected, NOTHING would surprise me.
Drones. Good and bad. They may be considered as a “weapon” and subject to seizure. And, you can bet the government drones will be looking for ne’er do wells and constitutionalists with equal vigor.
Martial law WILL require military forces and the nationalization of all law enforcement as well as State National Guard units. There is NOT enough despotic slugs within those organizations, for them to turn on their families, friends and neighbors, without extreme cost to those seeking to violate our God-given Rights.
I agree. The rank and file probably won’t act with enthusiasm, to dismantle the Constitution. That said, I doubt they will provide any assistance if you are armed.