Active Shooter

You are alone (no family with you) in Wal Mart and hear obvious gunshots and screaming.
You're packing your 9mm, WHAT DO YOU DO?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has clear instructions to answer this question, but lets discuss the basic options.

OPTION 1 - Run away from the gun shots or 
OPTION 2. - Try to save lives.

First let's talk about Option #1 above. This is a big place, there are many exits so getting out should be easy. But who is to say that there are not shooters at the other exits waiting to shoot you.  According to an FBI study of 160 mass shootings, there is only one shooter, 98.75% of the time, but don't take it for granted.

Do you draw your gun? What's to keep another citizen, or the police from shooting you?  Answer: Keep your gun readily available but not visible.

The DHS instructions are Run, Hide, Fight.

1. RUN
• Have an escape route and plan in mind
• Leave your belongings behind
• Keep your hands visible

2. HIDE
• Hide in an area out of the shooter’s view
• Block entry to your hiding place and lock the doors
• Silence your cell phone and/or pager

3. FIGHT
• As a last resort and only when your life is in imminent danger
• Attempt to incapacitate the shooter
• Act with physical aggression and throw items at the active shooter

CALL 911 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO

A mass shooting in a Wal Mart is an unlikely scenario because most all mass shootings are in Gun Free Zones, but only 28% of mass shootings are stopped by Law Enforcement officers. Which brings us to our next option (2).

So now lets talk about Option #2, try to save lives.

So you are the heroic type.  I know listening to people get shot by some Sicko and doing nothing would be hard. There may be legal ramifications for your actions, especially if you are in a state like CA, MA, NJ, NY or DC and if you accidentally shoot one of the good guys.   Reconsider your actions; do you have family or loved ones who depend on you?  What is the shooter carrying, and how will your few rounds of 9mm stack up against it? Reconsider. I would suggest that you could help others get out safely, thus saving lives without endangering yours.

Hopefully you have enough training to know the difference between concealment and cover, and that most rows of store goods won't stop a bullet and only provide concealment. IF not, RUN, as this should be a major consideration in any rescue plan you might come up with. You can only approach the shooter from a direction that will provide cover, like from behind the freezers or dog food isle.  If the shooter is near the front door, exiting the building and approaching from the rock wall entrance area might be an option.  Staying low, perhaps crawling is the best mode of moving.  Can't crawl on your belly?  Run away then.

I would suggest calling 911 and telling them you are inside, armed and what you look like.  They won't believe you 100% but dispatch may relay the message to officers.  Let them know that you are hiding, and where you believe the shooter(s) is located.  Your inside presence could provide them valuable information, and knowing you are there and what you are wearing could prevent them from thinking you are one of the bad guys and shooting you.  Regardless, when under fire, they may shoot first and ask questions later. Make sure you don't shoot another heroic type like yourself. If you find one, collaboration might prove beneficial.  Perhaps you both start shooting at the killer from different directions at their next reload.

Most Mass Killers, select their targets randomly, planning only to inflict the most casualties possible.  This would likely mean that a Killer would enter during a busy time and open fire as they work their way along the front where lots of people are working and waiting in line to check out.  I might parallel their travel, getting ahead of them, then hide and wait behind something that provides cover.

If you get into a position to take a shot, and can positively identify the shooter, I suggest two quick taps and then back behind cover and moving to another location quickly.  This conserves ammo and if the shooter charges your position, you won't be there.  The second shot makes it harder to detect your location and increases the chance of hitting your target. Do NOT shoot an innocent person who has just taken the gun from the killer. Note, I am not a law enforcement officer, nor military and have only researched and thought about the topic.

HERE is some good advice from a Police Officer on what to do.

Hopefully, we see you being interviewed on the news, modestly telling how you did what had to be done to save your own life and the lives of others.

For additional information see the following links:

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The Best Gun
Best Handgun Selection Criteria
Group Security Drills 

Urban Survival Perspective
Urban Survival Plan
The right amount of Ammo
 
Passive Layered Security
Country Home Security Plan
Home Invasion Response Plan
 
Intruder Detection
Riot Preparations
Double Barreled Defense
 
Modern Home Security
Sustainable City Survival
BB Gun
 
Top 5 Combat Rifles
Best Prepper Dog
Random Security