What is described as an Active Shooter event or incident? The agreed upon definition by U.S. government agencies is “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area.” In most cases active shooters use firearms and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.
So, with this said, an active shooter can and usually shows up in unpredictable locations and randomly selects its victims. So how can you protect yourself from becoming a victim of an active shooter event? It is not as easy as just staying out of a bad neighborhood or walking away from a situation that seems to be escalating or even picking your friends wisely. These events occur everywhere, schools, grocery stores, malls and even places of worship. A most recent one took place in Times Square, NYC.
Through history, an exceedingly small percentage of active shooter events have been foiled by law enforcement agencies. Not to mention that in most cases active shooter events happen so rapidly that upon arrival of the first law enforcement officials, most of the damage has already been done.
I have spent many years training police officers on how to react to active shooter events and have held large training events using High Schools and public buildings. At schools I have used faculty and students as actors during the training so they can get a feel of the hecticness that occurs during this type of incident. The one thing an active shooter event is, it is hectic.
So, how do you prepare for the possibility of being in the immediate area of an active shooter event? I could put on my trainer hat and list several things such has carry a firearm, learn building clearing techniques, how to search out the shooter, how to assist innocent parties to safety, etc. etc. etc. But the one thing I can truly suggest goes back to a previous article I wrote talking about situational awareness. Being totally aware of your surroundings and the people within it should be your number one priority to staying safe in case something occurs.
After shots have been fired is not the best time to get your bearings and figure out your best course of action. Whether you are armed, or have 30 plus years of tactical training, like myself, or you are a mom with no training shopping in a mall with her two small children, if you are practicing situational awareness prior to an incident, you are already formulating a plan. A plan of escape, a plan of hiding and avoiding the gunman, a plan of assisting the victims or a plan of attack.
Your mindset must be predetermined prior to an incident. Your mindset, not your course of action. Your mindset needs to be one of survival and it cannot waiver. Your course of action is fluid and can change from run, hide, or fight, depending on the immediate circumstances you are faced with.
To fight, takes a mindset that most people do not have or have not trained to acquire. In most active shooter situations, the perpetrator does not care about who they kill, and they care even less about surviving the incident themselves. You would be fighting against a homicidal, suicidal or mentally unstable person. It takes determination and skill to combat such a person. Even during law enforcement active shooter training scenarios, I have seen hesitation from seasoned police officers on engaging the active shooter. The word active prior to shooter means this criminal is actively killing people. The active needs to be stopped as quickly as possible to save your life and the lives of others.
Live your life practicing situational awareness until it becomes second nature.
Be aware of your surroundings and the people within it. At all times know your location and preplan escape routes or hiding places. If you carry a firearm, train with it regularly and do not just stand stationery shooting paper targets. Get real life practical training. Quick draw from concealed and moving, bilateral shooting, shoot from different positions and low light shooting.
I pray that none of you are faced with an active shooter event, but if you are, during the event is not the time to wish you had prepared for it. Prepare now and implement your tactical mindset wherever you are. NEVER STOP TRAINING mentally, physically and with firearms.
For questions regarding my article, please email me at
[email protected]
Oz Johnson/Lead Instructor, NRA Certified
JohnsonGroupTAC.com
602-448-8283
