“When you think it’s time to bury your guns, it’s really time to dig them up” has become a popular saying in the United States among people who own guns. When a person feels the most safe, it could be illusory and there could be the greatest danger. The saying has been cited in print since at least June 2001 and was probably first used by the poster “Tamara,” of Indianapolis, Indiana, at The Firing Line Forums. A blogger in June 2009 (see below) also credited “Tam.”
 
The saying has also been credited (since at least 2009) to Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk, a nationally syndicated radio talk show about firearms, shooting and gun rights. It’s probable that Gresham used the saying, but didn’t coin it.
 
   
The Firing Line Forums
Navy joe
June 13, 2001, 05:53 PM
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And like Tamara says, if its time to bury your guns, its time to dig them up.
 
The High Road
Airwolf
March 3, 2003, 07:34 AM
When the time comes to bury your guns, it’s time to use them…
 
The High Road
hankdatank1362
March 11, 2008, 07:13 PM
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Oh, and I’ll be the first to use the quote “If it’s time to bury your guns, it’s time to dig them up.” (unknown)
     
USA Carry
NDS
05-17-2008, 02:06 PM
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I’m older now and rather agree with those who say: When you think its time to bury your guns, its really time to be digging them up.
       
Further Light and Knowledge
Witch Hazel 
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 12:18 pm
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There is a saying, When you are faced with the decision to bury your guns, that is the time when you should use your guns.
 
The Michael Bane Blog
Friday, February 20, 2009
I’ve Seen the Future, Brother…
...and it is murder!
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COMMENTS
Anonymous said…
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As Gresham says, if it is time to bury your guns, it it probably time to dig them up and use them.
6:49 PM
     
Shooters Forum
leverite
02-27-2009, 11:19 AM
Some may feel it’s nearing the time to go and bury all your evil guns. But as Tom Gresham says…it it’s time to bury your guns, it’s really the time to be digging them up.
   
The Adventures of Roberta X
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Come And Take Them
(..)
What is it Tam says? “When it’s time to bury your guns, that’s the time to dig them up.”
 
Cheaper Than Dirt!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Long-Term Gun Storage
There is a saying that goes, “If it’s time to bury your guns, then its time to dig them up.” Some say that if you hide your gun off-site, it becomes useless. Either way, if you plan to store your gun for the long-term, you need to make sure you have pre-treated it properly and prepared your storage area properly in order to prevent ruining your weapon.
     
Shooters Forum
leverite
10-16-2009, 04:07 PM
I like what Tom Gresham has to say on this subject.
“IF you think it’s time to bury your guns, then it’s really the time to be digging them up.”
     
Northwest Firearms Forums
Cougfan2
11-02-2009, 11:42 AM
I’ve heard it said before, when you think it’s time to bury your guns, it’s really time to dig them up.
 
SurvivalBlog.com
Jim’s Quote of the Day:
Monday, May 30, 2011
“When it is time to bury your guns, it is actually time to dig them up.” - An anonymous poster at The FALFiles Forums
 
The Silicon Graybeard
Graybeard
June 27, 2012 5:23 PM
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Anything that would construed to give cover for suspending elections would be seen as a takeover and emphasize the need for elections. It’s like the axiom that if you think it’s time to bury your guns, it’s really time to be digging them up.
   
Sipsey Street Irregulars
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Go for it, globalists. “Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera!”
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COMMENTS
Anonymous said…
We need to determime now what we will do when thy come for our guns (and us). When you think it is time to hide or bury your guns, it is really time to un-bury them and get prepared.
July 11, 2012 8:47 PM
   
GunRights4US
Tuesday
Concerning events in a little country cemetery
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COMMENTS
Anonymous said…
great story. i read somewhere that when the time comes you want to bury your guns then its really time to be digging them up!
July 13, 2012 6:22 PM