If we have learned first-aid anyway, doesn’t it make sense to use those skills to take care of the injured, while waiting for the professionals to get there?
A massive solar flare hitting us directly would have the exact-same effect as an EMP attack from North Korea, Russia or whatever “axis of the evil” by the way.
While the best survival gun is an endlessly debated topic, I think it’s safe to assume that most preppers have an AR-15 or another semi-automatic rifle.