[KuznehikVasaN]

I have never taken a life so I really can't say how I would be able to handle it long term. I am very mentally and emotionally resilient so I think I would do what I had to do. The hard part I don't think would be to kill an enemy, the hard part would be the grey areas, such as if you have a good thing going (food, water, shelter, tools etc) post SHTF and someone find their way to you and wants to join, do you take them in not knowing them, wondering if they are going to kill you and take your stuff? Or do you send them on their way and wonder if they are going to tell the next group of people they see that they should rob you because you have quite the set up? Or do you send them on their way and blow their head off when they turn around and insure the survival of your group? What would I do in that situation? I honestly don't know.

A poem sprang to mind though when I read your post.

THE WRATH OF THE AWAKENED SAXON
by Rudyard Kipling


It was not part of their blood,
It came to them very late,
With long arrears to make good,
When the Saxon began to hate.

They were not easily moved,
They were icy -- willing to wait
Till every count should be proved,
Ere the Saxon began to hate.

Their voices were even and low.
Their eyes were level and straight.
There was neither sign nor show
When the Saxon began to hate.

It was not preached to the crowd.
It was not taught by the state.
No man spoke it aloud
When the Saxon began to hate.

It was not suddently bred.
It will not swiftly abate.
Through the chilled years ahead,
When Time shall count from the date
That the Saxon began to hate.