Former CIA officer and YouTuber Jason Hanson says people thinking about emergency preparedness should not only focus on firearms, because one of his favorite “apocalypse weapons” is not a gun at all.
In a recent video, Hanson named two tools he believes are worth having in a serious survival situation: a Remington 870 pump-action shotgun and an ultralight tomahawk. The first choice was expected. The second, he said, is the kind of tool that can help far beyond self-defense.
“Do you want to see two of the best apocalypse weapons?” Hanson asked at the start of the video. “One of them is a gun, one of them is not.”
His larger message was simple: emergency tools should be practical, versatile, and ready before trouble arrives.
Why Hanson Picks The Remington 870
Hanson began with the firearm, calling the Remington 870 pump-action shotgun one of his favorite options for an extreme emergency.
His reason was versatility.
According to Hanson, a shotgun can use different kinds of shells, including birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. He said birdshot can be useful for hunting, but he would not choose it for a serious home-defense or survival threat because, in his view, the goal in that moment would be to stop a violent attacker rather than simply scare or anger them.
For home defense, Hanson said he personally uses double-aught buckshot.
He described it as a strong defensive load because it sends multiple pellets toward the target. He also pointed to slugs as another option, especially when someone needs a shotgun round with more reach and force.
Hanson was careful to say he was not expecting to use a shotgun at extreme distances. His point was more practical than dramatic: in a dangerous breakdown scenario, he wants options.
“I’ve got my slugs. I’ve got my double-aught buck. I’ve got my birdshot,” Hanson said.
The Shotgun Setup He Likes
Hanson also showed some of the accessories he keeps on one of his shotguns.
He said the gun had an extended magazine tube, a mounted flashlight, a sling, and a side saddle for holding extra shells. He noted that a sling is not necessary for a home-defense shotgun, but he still had one on the firearm he was showing.
The mounted flashlight stood out as one of the more sensible points in the video. In any real emergency, identifying what is in front of you matters. A weapon without the ability to clearly see a threat can create more danger, not less.
That is an important reminder because preparedness is not just about owning powerful tools. It is about using judgment, avoiding mistakes, and understanding that every tool comes with responsibility.
To demonstrate the power of a shotgun slug, Hanson fired at a can of spray paint. After the shot, he showed the can broken apart, with sharp pieces of metal left behind.
“You don’t want to be on the receiving end of that,” Hanson said.
It was a flashy demonstration, but the point was easy to understand. A shotgun is not a casual tool. In Hanson’s view, it is serious equipment for serious situations.
The Second Weapon Is A Tomahawk
After the shotgun, Hanson revealed his second choice: an ultralight tomahawk.
He said he keeps one in the bug-out bag in the back of his vehicle and considers it one of the most useful non-gun tools someone can carry.
“I love tomahawks,” Hanson said. “Big fan of these.”
At first, that may sound like a dramatic pick, but Hanson’s explanation made it more practical. He said the tomahawk is useful for self-defense, but also for survival tasks such as hacking through brush, breaking through material, or helping build a shelter.
That is where the tomahawk becomes more interesting than a simple “weapon.” It is also a tool.
In an emergency, the best gear often does more than one thing. A flashlight that also charges a phone, a knife that also helps prepare firewood, or a tomahawk that can help clear a path can become far more valuable than something with only one purpose.
A Real-Life Ice Story
Hanson said he once used the tomahawk during a winter driving problem while traveling with family near Wyoming.
He said some relatives had teased him for carrying survival gear, including the tomahawk, in his bug-out bag. Then their vehicle slid into a guardrail after hitting ice, and the tires became packed in so tightly that they could not dig out by hand.
Hanson said he went to his bug-out bag, grabbed the tomahawk, and used it to hack away at the ice until they could get free.
That story was probably the strongest argument for the tool in the whole video.
It was not about zombies, collapse, or some wild fantasy. It was about a vehicle stuck in ice, cold weather, and a simple tool that solved a real problem.
That kind of example makes preparedness feel less extreme. Most people will never face an “apocalypse,” but plenty of people will face a roadside emergency, a storm, a power outage, or a situation where having the right tool nearby matters.
A Lightweight Tool For A Bug-Out Bag
Hanson emphasized that the tomahawk he showed was ultralight, which is why he likes keeping it in his vehicle.
Weight matters in any emergency kit. A heavy bag may sound useful when it is sitting in a closet, but if it becomes too annoying to carry, people stop carrying it. Hanson’s preference for a lighter tomahawk makes sense for that reason.
He also threw the tomahawk at a windshield in the video, even though he said that particular model was not made for throwing. The throw stuck into the glass, and Hanson admitted he got lucky on the first try.
“These are nasty, very nasty, sharp things,” he said.
That part of the video was clearly meant to be entertaining, but it also showed why tools like this should not be treated like toys. A tomahawk can be useful, but it can also be dangerous if handled carelessly.
Preparedness Is About More Than Gear
Hanson closed by urging viewers to get their weapons and emergency tools in order.
He said he loves guns, weapons, and preparing, but he also noted that he has never had to use the tomahawk for self-defense and hopes he never does.
Preparedness content can sometimes lean too hard into fear, but the better message is usually calmer: have the tools, know how to use them safely, and hope the worst day never comes.
Hanson’s two picks say a lot about his approach. The shotgun is for force and defense. The tomahawk is for utility, survival, and backup use when a gun is not the right tool for the problem.
The most practical takeaway is not that everyone needs to copy his exact setup. It is that emergency gear should be chosen with real situations in mind.
Can it protect you? Can it help you get unstuck? Can it work without electricity? Can it serve more than one purpose? Can you carry it when you actually need it?
Hanson’s answer, at least in this video, is a shotgun and an ultralight tomahawk.
One is a firearm. The other is a simple blade on a handle. Together, he argues, they cover a wide range of problems someone might face when normal life suddenly stops working the way it should.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.
