Safety & legal policy

Preparedness includes protecting your family. Some of our readers own firearms, and some of our guides cover gear around them: storage, safes, lights, cleaning and range accessories. This page sets the rules we write by.

Laws differ by state and city

Rules for firearms, ammunition, magazines, body armor, knives and some accessories vary by state, county and city, and they change often. Shipping rules vary too. Check your state and local law before you buy, carry, store or ship anything. Every firearms-related page carries a short reminder of this.

What we don’t publish

• Instructions for illegal modifications, or for converting anything into a machine gun, suppressor or other restricted item. That includes auto sears, “switches”, solvent-trap conversions and similar.
• Instructions for manufacturing firearms or ammunition.
• Advice on getting around background checks, transfer rules or carry laws.
• Content that glorifies violence or encourages anyone to take the law into their own hands.

What we do publish

• Safe storage: quick-access safes, locks and keeping firearms away from children and unauthorized users.
• Lawful, mainstream accessories and gear, with links to established retailers.
• Plain-language summaries of official rules, always linked to the official source (for example ATF or your state’s attorney general), and never as legal advice.

Store links

We do not link to purchase firearms. Retailer requirements vary. Check the retailer’s terms and your state and local rules before ordering ammunition or accessories; you are responsible for following the law where you live.

Other safety-critical topics

• Generators and fuel-burning gear: never run portable generators or outdoor-only fuel-burning equipment indoors or in a garage. Carbon monoxide kills. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for every appliance, and see the CDC’s carbon monoxide guidance.
• Water treatment: we follow EPA and CDC guidance and say when a filter does not remove viruses or chemicals.
• First aid and medications: we are not medical professionals. Get training (the American Red Cross and Stop the Bleed offer courses), and talk to your doctor about medications.

Not legal or medical advice

Nothing on this site is legal, medical or professional advice. Questions or a correction: theoffgrideagle@gmail.com.