In the quiet countryside of Polk County, Florida, long-range steel targets ring out past 500 yards and sometimes far beyond.
According to a report from Gulf Coast News, civilians are training in what some describe as “military-style” skills at facilities like Bone Valley Industries, where retired Air Force two-star Gen. Rick “RB” Mattson is now a co-owner.
What used to be considered an impressive 500-yard shot, Mattson says, is no longer unusual. Modern rifles, optics, and training have expanded civilian capability dramatically (don’t we know it!).
Sharing the same grounds is another company, Barrel & Hatchet, owned in part by Air Force veteran Eric Rocher. His courses include training with body armor and night vision, gear that’s increasingly common in today’s firearms market.
Rocher calls it part of the “Prepared Citizen Movement,” which he describes as a mindset focused on defending and providing for one’s family, physically and spiritually.
Rocher points to global instability (from COVID-era uncertainty to civilian mobilization efforts in Ukraine) as wake-up calls. Video of Ukrainians receiving crash-course training before Russia’s invasion, he says, reinforced the idea that readiness matters.
Not everyone sees it that way. FGCU philosophy professor Landon Frim told Gulf Coast News the term “Prepared Citizen Movement” is broad and potentially vague, questioning the necessity of civilians training to shoot hundreds of yards. He expressed concern about motivations within such movements.
But here’s the reality: this isn’t some brand-new phenomenon.
Call it what you want: “prepared citizens,” “militia-minded,” or simply responsible gun owners, the idea of being ready for worst-case scenarios is woven into the core ethos of the Second Amendment community. From medical training and disaster prep to marksmanship and situational awareness, preparedness has always been part of the culture.
For many in the 2A world, it’s not about looking for a fight. It’s about not being helpless if one ever finds you. And that mindset didn’t start with a YouTube channel. It’s been around as long as Americans have been serious about their rights.
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54 Comments
Uranium names keep pushing higher—supply still tight into 2026.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Production mix shifting toward USA might help margins if metals stay firm.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Silver leverage is strong here; beta cuts both ways though.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Nice to see insider buying—usually a good signal in this space.
Silver leverage is strong here; beta cuts both ways though.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Uranium names keep pushing higher—supply still tight into 2026.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Uranium names keep pushing higher—supply still tight into 2026.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Production mix shifting toward USA might help margins if metals stay firm.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Nice to see insider buying—usually a good signal in this space.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Silver leverage is strong here; beta cuts both ways though.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
I like the balance sheet here—less leverage than peers.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Nice to see insider buying—usually a good signal in this space.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Nice to see insider buying—usually a good signal in this space.
Exploration results look promising, but permitting will be the key risk.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Silver leverage is strong here; beta cuts both ways though.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Production mix shifting toward USA might help margins if metals stay firm.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Silver leverage is strong here; beta cuts both ways though.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
If AISC keeps dropping, this becomes investable for me.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
The cost guidance is better than expected. If they deliver, the stock could rerate.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.
Good point. Watching costs and grades closely.