[Gort]

Seen a few people here referring to OPSEC in relation to posting data / pics of their weapons systems.

First question I have is how are you violating OPSEC on this public forum by posting pics of weapons the government already knows you have (in most cases). Unless you're a felon that has weapons, who really cares?

Do people really think it's that important....and why is it? I could better understand it if the discussion was about one's BOL, but I just don't get it when the discussion is about weapons, or food or gear.

There are literally millions of people posting pics of their weapons systems online and few are as concerned about OPSEC as the people here. In fact there are over 700 PAGES of pics and discussion about just AR15s on the M4 forum and nobody there ever mentions OPSEC....and that is a community FILLED with military, ex-military, competition shooters and law enforcement officers.

I'm looking for a viable explanation for this type of thinking, so stick to logic and leave out the paranoia.

 

[jodier7]

Because we are survivalist and we are paranoid?

 

[Unobtanium]

I don't care. My NFA stuff is registered, and all my other stuff has either a credit-card trail, or the ammo I bought does. It's a really poorly kept secret, no matter what photo's I do/don't post.

 

[Regular Guy]

Yeah, I post pics, talk about my NFA items online and my other guns. I've been doing it for at least 15 years. Never once have I had an issue nor am I paranoid about the govt. coming to take them.

I'm a disaster preparer. My guns are tools. If the govt. ever goes totalitarian I'd already fit the profile with or without the guns. I don't believe the govt. will nor do I believe they will go door to door picking them up.

In Mexico they have effectively banned guns. When I lived in California I didn't know a single person who lived in Mexico who didn't have a gun. When I was in Europe I knew lots of folks who had guns that were not registered and unlawful. One mechanic I used to take my Fiat to showed me his full auto M16.

Gun bans don't work, gun pick ups would end badly and I believe anyone with half a brain in govt. realizes this. I'm not paranoid about the govt. I'm more concerned with gangs and the folks not following the law or good moral behavior. If someone doesn't want to talk guns online, they are free to choose not to. I feel that there is no down side to it.

 

[Prepping]

[Comment deleted for OPSEC.]

 

[Rockyriver]

One word sums up OPSEC best, "Scared".

 

[Fenrell]

I stopped worrying about it. As mentioned, the Feds have my credit card trails, my background check information, etc. The only thing I really would worry about is if Joe Schmo could somehow figure out my address along with my firearms and target me for a burglary.

 

[bearfoot_25]

One word sums up OPSEC best, "Scared".

So when I was in the Army and our leaders told us that "OPSEC" was a priority on a mission, it meant that we were scared?

Gimme a break. OPSEC is just being smart about letting people know what you have. Each person has to decide what info about themselves falls under OPSEC because it is different for everyone. It doesnt make them scared. So if OPSEC=Scared, show us how brave you are and tell us what you have and where you live. Or go get a bunch of money out of the bank and walk around with a fist full of $100 bills.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

I stopped worrying about it. As mentioned, the Feds have my credit card trails, my background check information, etc. The only thing I really would worry about is if Joe Schmo could somehow figure out my address along with my firearms and target me for a burglary.

The way I understand it (and I could very well be wrong) photos taken with a cell phone have GPS data on them. It shouldn't be hard for someone to figure out where you live.
I simply don't post photos 'cause I don't know how. I just have a digital camera my cell phone does not take photos.

 

[Doc_Shane]

It is because most people do not understand the actual meaning of OPSEC, they confuse it with PERSEC.

It is ok to discuss what you are doing, as long as you do not reveal where at and who you are, safeguard personal information.

No one cares that you have 40 cans of beans and 100 lbs of rice, an AR15 and a few hundred rounds. That information alone is not unique enough to identify you.

 

[Fenrell]

The way I understand it (and I could very well be wrong) photos taken with a cell phone have GPS data on them. It shouldn't be hard for someone to figure out where you live.
I simply don't post photos 'cause I don't know how. I just have a digital camera my cell phone does not take photos.

That's one reason I *never* use my cell phone to take pictures. The other reason is I dislike cell phones in general and use mine very sparingly indeed. For that matter, I have yet to post a photo on this or any other forum. (Though that is more laziness on my part. I don't feel like getting a photobucket account to host pictures.)

 

[Unobtanium]

It is because most people do not understand the actual meaning of OPSEC, they confuse it with PERSEC.

It is ok to discuss what you are doing, as long as you do not reveal where at and who you are, safeguard personal information.

No one cares that you have 40 cans of beans and 100 lbs of rice, an AR15 and a few hundred rounds. That information alone is not unique enough to identify you.

Yep. The problem is that noone is impossible to find. It's very easy. You give me a few days, and I can have the addresses of most of the people who use the internet with any regularity to interact with others.

Someone on here who was acting all "hard" kindof perturbed me and in 5 minutes I had a picture of their face, identifying markings, city/state, and a little snap-shot of their life on my screen. I was really just looking to be an ass and call them out on something, but ended up feeling bad about it and just didn't do anything with the info, but I was shocked at how easy it was to find. All happily provided by none other than them.

 

[Unobtanium]

The way I understand it (and I could very well be wrong) photos taken with a cell phone have GPS data on them. It shouldn't be hard for someone to figure out where you live.
I simply don't post photos 'cause I don't know how. I just have a digital camera my cell phone does not take photos.

You live in a rural area in NE Florida (Near or in Hilliard), manage a warehouse, grew up in Palm Beach Country (moved in 1995), Served in the Vietnam conflict (Thank-you for your service in a field artillery unit, 1st Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized), I believe?), own several horses (It's your wife's passion).

I can keep going, but this is just what you told me in the 10 minutes I took to "listen" to what you have broadcast throughout the 'net. This is all information that you voluntarily spewed forth onto the WWW. I don't need cell pictures and GPS tags. We are almost ALL like this. PERSEC is a joke unless you started out paranoid on day one, and if that's the case, you're not posting on internet forums in a traditional sense. One of the moderators here actually got mad at me for using their legal name when I addressed them in a post like it was not common knowledge who they were. PERSEC. If you're on a forum, it's a joke, most likely.

My point is, a lot of people think they are more important than they really are. If you're important enough for someone to look for you, they are going to find you.

Not directing this at you, or anyone in particular, just observing that it's almost funny as so many people who always post up "On a street in Mexico..." with their street-racing vids or "lost in a boating accident" with gun photos, etc. Really? I remember a guy who bought something on AR15.com one time. A short time later, the Feds showed up at his place of work and demanded their stolen property back. They tracked him down over an ACOG, I think it was. All from some "I'll take it" post on a forum where he bought something from a guy who got it form a guy...

 

[rice paddy daddy]

Close.
But I'm not paranoid, peeping out the window to see if anybody's sneaking up on me.
Besides, I'm just a po' boy, ain't got nuthin' worth stealin.
And I agree with you about some people over doing things.
But I'm not about to post my GPS co-ordinates.:

 

[merlinfire]

The way I understand it (and I could very well be wrong) photos taken with a cell phone have GPS data on them. It shouldn't be hard for someone to figure out where you live.
I simply don't post photos 'cause I don't know how. I just have a digital camera my cell phone does not take photos.

That used to be an issue with iPhones.

 

[MikeK]

Some feel that it gives away the fact that you have guns and such. I have talked on various gun forums since before there was a WWW for gun related websites. I'm known locally as a collector, and I work in the firearms industry. So when it comes to guns, there is no keeping that a secret at this point anyway.

 

[rice paddy daddy]

Some feel that it gives away the fact that you have guns and such. I have talked on various gun forums since before there was a WWW for gun related websites. I'm known locally as a collector, and I work in the firearms industry. So when it comes to guns, there is no keeping that a secret at this point anyway.

As far as federal, state, and county government goes I'm on so many lists it doesn't really matter anymore. The only list I'm NOT on would be a criminal "rap sheet."
And as far as guns, around where I live it's a given every house has at least a shotgun and a deer rifle.

 

[Albus Tigris]

OPSEC and PERSEC can keep you alive, depending on your threats and vulnerabilities. I'm not personally concerned about the feds taking my weapons, especially considering I'm technically one of them. What I am concerned about though is that if I put out information that makes it easy for someone to know what I have, where I have it and how to get it, I may not have it anymore. I'm not going to live my life like I'm living in a fortress and stay away from all communications or anything but I do want to make myself somewhat of a hard target. There are enough soft targets around to keep the bad guys busy.

 

[controlledpress]

In this case, OpSec is more relating to not giving potential thieves an indication of what they can expect to find in your home while you're out to dinner with the wife and kids.

 

[Gort]

Lots of great posts, thanks to all that responded!! :thumb:

A few observations as I read through the postings.

1. A lot of people are worried about thieves knowing where they live and what they have.

2. Owning guns and not owning a quality gun safe is INSANE.

3. If gun owners had a gun safe bolted to their foundation they wouldn't have to worry about thieves while they are not home.

A short story about my 'ex' and her hatred for gun safes: She once asked me if I would open my safe if thieves had a gun to her head....the answer did not thrill her....I said NO, because they were likely kill us regardless and I would not be responsible for supplying them with the weapons to reproduce their crimes onto others....with my guns.

4. I think the number of guns stolen every year is just over 300,000, most stolen from people without a gun safe.

5. What Unobtanium knows scares me!!

6. THIS WILL BE MY LAST POSTING ON A PUBLIC FORUM.










Just kidding, ..........but it is kind of scary to know that if people want to find out about you it's all out there for them to see. :xeye: