When the zombie apocalypse hits, apparently you're better off being in Alaska than New Jersey. That seems like a no-brainer, but I totally disagree with the methodology of this study.

The researchers looked at Facebook to see who was interested in topics like paintball, martial arts, survival skills, laser tag, and Ironman triathlons, while they turned to census data to determine active and retired military personnel.

Alaska and New Jersey are pretty much polar opposites, but why does Alabama rate so low, and New Hampshire rate so high?

Well, New Hampshire has a lot of gun owners, veterans, paintball enthusiasts and triathletes. On the other hand Alabama is filled with fat-asses who know nothing about zombies and never play laser tag. Hell do Alabamans even use facebook?

Selection bias aside, while laser tag and paintball might help you bring some practical zombie hunting skills to bear, they are severely overrated in this particular matrix. After all, Alabama is filled with actual game hunters and target shooters who likely don't waste their time playing with toy guns.

If I were putting together a matrix (and I'm not) I would rate not only gun ownership, but population density (which isn't even considered). After all, the last place you want to be when the zombies start their rampage is in an urban area. You want to get to a low density area with defensible and fortify-able positions. It also helps to have access to not just guns, but plenty of ammo. Urban areas may have guns (illegal or otherwise) but are there stockpiles of ammo? And then there's food stores; though that likely plays to the strengths of urban areas.

When the shit hits the fan, personally I think your best bet is to grab some supplies throw them into your big gas guzzling SUV and head for the hills at full speed. Yeah, a Prius might get your more range, but good luck busting through barricades and hordes of dead bodies. I'd gladly sacrifice miles per gallon for a good roomy 4x4 with a locking diff. But that's just me.

As for food, a buddy once asked me about putting MREs in my "bug out" bag. I told him I got a gun so I can always get food. He said, "Oh you mean by hunting?"

"Umm.... yeah, right... hunting," I replied. Maybe living in a state with relatively few gun owners isn't so bad after all.