POTD: Behind Every Blade of Grass

Steve Johnson
by Steve Johnson

This photo was taken by Wes last weekend during a range day with the Randolf Rifleman’s Union, his local pro-2A organization. The rifle is a Mossberg MVP Varmint, it features a laminated bench-style stock, fluted bull barrel and best of all, AR-15 magazine compatibility.

The quote “You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind every blade of grass.” is often attributed to Admiral Yamamoto of the Japanese Navy during WWII. This photo reminded Wes of the quote. He wrote to us …

While I cannot speak for every blade of grass, I would dare say that the quote is probably accurate when it comes to Randolph County, North Carolina. Considering we were ranked 9th in the nation for gun ownership on a countywide basis.

That quote has been debated among gun nuts for decades. Some argue that no quantity of civilian firearms could hold back a modern army. The question may be a moot point since the end of the Cold War, but if events this year in the Middle East and Eastern Europe are anything to go by, a determined local populace armed with small arms can cause considerable problems to conventional armies.

Steve Johnson
Steve Johnson

I founded TFB in 2007 and over 10 years worked tirelessly, with the help of my team, to build it up into the largest gun blog online. I retired as Editor in Chief in 2017. During my decade at TFB I was fortunate to work with the most amazing talented writers and genuinely good people!

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  • BangZoom! BangZoom! on Nov 09, 2014

    "a determined local populace armed with small arms can cause considerable problems to conventional armies"

    ---------------------------------------------------
    The difference is conventional armies (US and UK et al) fight using Marquess of Queensbury rules against these "insurgents" while the latter are under no constraints whatsoever. I dare say an outside invader would observe no such niceties as gentlemanly rules of engagement nor sadly would our own governments using force against their own citizens.

  • Nicholas I Nicholas I on Nov 10, 2014

    Americans don't have to worry about any foreign army invading.

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