Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Here’s a wild question: In a world of drone swarms, AI-guided submarines, and robotic fighter jets—does your concealed carry piece even matter anymore?
That’s not a knock on the Second Amendment. It’s a wake-up call.
If you caught the recent 60 Minutes piece on Palmer Luckey’s autonomous weapons company Anduril, you probably saw the future—jets with no pilots, subs with no crews, drones that think for themselves and strike with terrifying precision. They don’t need permission, and they don’t miss.
So what happens to private gun ownership when machines can target, track, and eliminate threats faster than any human ever could?
Table of contents
The End of the Armed Citizen?
Let’s be real. Concealed carry has always been about leveling the playing field. The government can’t be everywhere, and criminals don’t follow laws. So we arm ourselves—not out of paranoia, but out of realism.
But what happens when the government is everywhere—floating overhead, scanning heat signatures, and armed with unmanned weapons that need no human pilot to pull the trigger?
At what point does the armed citizen become obsolete?
And maybe more importantly: At what point does the armed citizen become the target?
Peace Through Precision—or Persecution?
Proponents like Luckey claim these systems will reduce casualties, deter wars, and protect U.S. troops. And sure, fewer Americans coming home in flag-draped coffins sounds great. But what about Americans sitting on their porches, living in freedom?
AI weapons promise surgical strikes. But whose finger is on the kill switch? Whose morals are baked into the code?
SEE ALSO: The PX-5.7 Pistol from SDS Arms
If AI systems can identify a threat, who defines what a threat looks like? A foreign invader? A school shooter? A guy at a protest with a holstered pistol and a Gadsden flag patch?
From 2A to 404 Not Found
This tech isn’t just a battlefield issue. It’s a philosophical one. Because if drone policing becomes the norm—and make no mistake, that’s where we’re headed—then the balance of power tips hard in favor of the state.
And that’s where things get Orwellian.
When your home-defense rifle can’t compete with a flying death robot programmed by Silicon Valley, the idea of personal freedom gets murky fast. It’s hard to exercise your rights when you’re being scanned, tracked, and maybe even neutralized before you know you’re a “problem.”
So Where Does That Leave Us?
Are we witnessing the end of gun ownership as a meaningful check on government power? Or are we just entering a new phase where the battleground shifts—from steel and brass to bytes and bandwidth?
The Founders never envisioned drone swarms or autonomous weapons. But they did envision tyranny.
And if we don’t ask the hard questions now—about transparency, about who’s in charge, about what this tech means for the average gun owner—then it won’t be long before we’re not asking anything at all.
Because the machines will be doing the talking.
Stay armed. Stay skeptical. Stay human.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
Experience:
– Licensed Bowhunter, Hunter, and Trapper – Experienced in ethical hunting and wildlife conservation.
– Concealed Carry Permit Holder (NYS & AZ) – Trained and licensed to carry in multiple states.
– 2A Journalist – Covering firearms legislation, Second Amendment issues, and gun rights for over a decade.
– Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – Certified to provide emergency medical care in the field.
– Field-Tested Gear Reviewer – Hands-on experience with firearms, optics, and hunting tech.
My reply consists of the word Afghanistan. The Taliban is still there and we’re gone. Small arms vs.technology.
If it ever comes to this, being an armed citizen will be more important than ever. Because as we all should know, the 2A is not about OUR personal defense or hunting, it is about the citizen defending themself from the overreach of GOVERNMENT. So, if the government fields unconstitutional weapons, we will have to respond. If you are worried that your current carry weapons won’t do anything to a drone, well, as technology advances in drones, so it will in drone countermeasures and personal defense weapons, and minute man weapons. Whatever happens, I am going to be armed ALWAYS!
Emp won’t work on a next-gen autonomous drone or robot. A mesh net inside the shell would negate the pulse.
Options I can think of are a pulse laser, some kind of scrambler that renders it blind, or some kind of projectile like bullets, a 30mm grenade with a proximity fuse, or a small missile, say the size of a model rocket or a plasma rifle. As tech gets better, we can only hope the second amendment isn’t put into a box to get dusty. It’s intent is for us to be able to protect ourselves from enemies without and within. For the Second Amendment to continue to be of any value in the technology to come we need to ensure it continues to protect our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
If man designed these automated devices, then someone can figure out a way to disable them, or render them useless if need be. EMP is a viable option, and i understand that we already have rifles that can knock down drones.. NEXT bogus argument ….
“Let’s be real. Concealed carry has always been about leveling the playing field.”
We have never thought we could out gun a fighter jet or a swarm of toxic drones , but the mop up crew that follows will get a hell of a surprise when they come to disarm us won’t they ??
Sounds like an early version of Skynet.
We have the most tyrannical government in American history right now. Laws mean nothing to this administration but I’m not worried about getting shot by a drone. I’m white.
that is the funniest comment ever, good job, humor goes a long way
HAHAHAHA
Biden not in office and the democrats don’t control Congress. You been asleep.
You sound like some (most) of my democrat acquaintances.
Don’t forget to brush off the dust boggers when you come out from your under-bed safe space to “eliminate”…that is, if you do come out even for that (ewwwww…).
What would you list as the top three greatest examples of why this is “the most tyrannical government in American history right now”?
1. The elimination of the first Amendment of the Constitution
2. Breaking laws and ignoring orders from the Judicial branch of the government
3. Threatening our Allies and members of congress to “play along or else” while chumming up to our enemies.
4. Selling access to the president of the United States to the highest bidder. (Maybe this should be #1)
I could list fifty more but you wanted three. Sorry four.
1. hate speech, anything that doesn’t extol your master’s beliefs
2. student loans for one
3. threatening using the military against law abiding citizens all the way up to and including nukes
4. paying fees to celebrities to endorse candidates
i could shoot down 50 more but you only did 4
Speaking of tyranny, what do we do when the legislative branch isn’t doing its job of checking and balancing a tyrannical leader? I’m sure the founders also never envisioned 1 of 3 branches neglecting its constitutional duties.
I hope history remembers these cowards for their treacherous actions.
I’m sure you are a fan of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Do you support all of our current Amendments, not just the First? How about the 25? Biden wasn’t in his right mind since BEFORE the 2020 election, yet the Dems had no problem ignoring the 25th Amendment. Never forget! Or as Biden would say: Never don’t there with the…Americmm internatural depressure, Jack!
Donald trump is insane and no one in the Republican Party seems to have a problem with that. The man is bat shit crazy. Everyone in Washington knows it but they are afraid of loosing their jobs or getting sued so they just go along with his insanity.
so what comedy club are you playing tonight?
I’m playing at the”Let’s laugh at America club” because this country is a joke as far as the rest of the world is concern. I live in New York and I knew trump was a POS long before he was an asshole on tv or a bully in the Whitehouse. Just
Isten to the crazy shit that comes out of his mouth and tell me you don’t think he’s dangerous and crazy.
that comedy club…….is that the one on loss of freedom way between the haleel and mexican pharmacy right below delusions are us?
So, you are saying that Trump is a tyrant, why? You were just fine as the last administration carelessly jumped out of 18-year war in Afghanistan leaving billions in military equipment to plunge into a proxy war between Russia and Ukraine. You were just fine as Barry Soetoro ran guns into Mexico.
What do you despise most about Trump? Is it how he tries to end costly, foolish globalist wars?
A small microwave or EMP type weapon and/or signal scrambler, to drop drones to the ground, will be the next necessary addition to the arsenal of the citizenry.
The people that are constantly playing with computers, X-box, drones, electronics, ect. are quickly becoming very important allies in the continuing fight for freedom.
“If AI systems can identify a threat, who defines what a threat looks like?”
If the Demshevliks are in charge, then the threat would be identified as White Male Christian Heterosexuals. Luckly, Natural Ignorance (NI) is the main threat posed by the Dems right now.
The very wealthy may also build small armies of AI.
Thats bullshit and you know it
Your right, the very wealthy probably too apathetic to bother building a small AI army.
You left off your pronouns.
Firearms in the hands of free people can also take out robots.
This is NOT a serious discussion. IF as this article postulates occurs, the time for revolution has come and gone. But it would still be just as any other time, in that the people would sacrifice and eventually either win or be wiped out and controlled.
How is this different from Orwell’s book in any real respect?
For myriad examples of how technologically superior nations can fail spectacularly when facing near third-world forces, one need look no further than the steppes and mountains of Afghanistan.
i guess it can be programed for skin color, maga hats, clothing, or anything else to get rid of “bad people”. ai’s don’t think they just play the odds and the media can sway them by slanted reporting and surveys.