active shooter

[shooter]

in light of recent events I'm curious as to what you would do if yiu were out and suddenly heard shots and saw people fleeing from a scene. so you have your gear in your vehicle ak ar whatever. pistol on you. how far do u go? how much action do u take. listening to fox and cnn various pundents had differing ideas. the most annoying was an obvious anti-gun turd who scoffed at hannity and another who appeared to have skills, ability to stop an attacker. schools are now offering classes on Active Shooters". since u ARE THE 1st responder are u going to be a target for the second responders "SWAT"?

[MPDC]

I think it really depends on the immediacy of the threat, whether you are alone or not (wife, kids) and if your intervention would not be mistaken for a terrorist yourself. I have actually experienced an undercover being mistaken for a BG so SA is paramount in my mind.

[edgehill]

Carrying for me is to protect my family and friends. So if I'm going to be looking to keep those around me safe. I'm not going to go after the shooter unless the only way to keep my family safe is to confront him.

[Sheepdog]

Originally Posted by MPDC

I think it really depends on the immediacy of the threat, whether you are alone or not (wife, kids) and if your intervention would not be mistaken for a terrorist yourself. I have actually experienced an undercover being mistaken for a BG so SA is paramount in my mind.

I would try to stay safe, be a good witness and do what i can to help depending on the situation. I don't know that any of us would do in areal life situation.

[7.62Kolectr]

Like MPDC said it would depend on the situation. I'm not Rambo or superman and am not looking for a long confrontation or the time to become a hero. But I am better prepared on a daily basis than most. I'm highly proficient with firearms. Am I gonna run toward the commotion instead of away? Can't say until that time God forbid happens. But I'd like to think that if I had the opportunity to make a difference I could instead of wishing for it.
If I'm alone I may seek immediate cover and assess. With wife and kiddies escape and cover their backs as the wife leads us to the car. Once there again who knows, it would depend on the situation?
These attacks are more and more often being perpetrated by people with high power rifles that can reach out and touch people. Unless I'm dead center of the all the sudden action it's doubtful my pistol and I can make a difference. I'm certainly not going to get into a gun battle at distance with a guy who has an AR15 and 30rnd mag when I only have a pistol. From cover, up close with a hopeful element of surprise I may engage them though.

[pony up]

Again, it depends on the situation, If me or mine are in danger you bet. If not I will protect them by determining that the danger does not involve us. If I am witnessing the slaughter of innocents and there is a way I can stop it, you bet. However, I am not running into a hot fire zone nor a burning building. A whole lot more effective approach is encouraging others to accept their responsibility for their own protection. The idiots will never be convinced that GUNS are good even when a bad guy has one stuffed up their nose so I will help if possible but I am no longer entering a suicide pact to protect those who will criticize my self defense as a danger to the neighborhood. A life long friend and his wife are a classic example. They know my background but have asked me, "why would anyone want a gun?" They were offended when I suggested that it might be a good idea if they obtained one and became proficient BEFORE they found out why other people have them...... they still do not get it. I pray for them.

[Caleb]

Originally Posted by edgehill

Carrying for me is to protect my family and friends. So if I'm going to be looking to keep those around me safe. I'm not going to go after the shooter unless the only way to keep my family safe is to confront him.

I feel the same way. Unfortunately in this world you would probably get sued for intervening when not directly involved. In other words....get your family/friends and yourself out of there safely. Once you are out of the danger zone, don't Rambo up and go back in. Just my $0.02

[TLE2]

That's a really sticky scenario.

If I were in the target zone, I would act to defend and would try to take out any active shooter in my vacinity.

If I were not in the target zone, I would not go in for reasons stated.

[milkmanjoe]

If I can get a bead on the shooter I'll take him. My priorities are to get to safety, for my family, friends, then me. No superhero stuff. However, we must remember, what we have time to think about and type here will likely not happen at the supermarket. I carry alot of spare mags and dual G17s most of the time. If I don't have a quick out for me and whoever I am with odds say a whole lotta sh*t is gonna get tore up really bad, really fast. Some of you have seen my trigger discipline live, double that with my left hand running a second G17. I see a video from me being posted when I get back to SC in two weeks.

[BlackKnight]

Well, obviously my priorities are a little different as I have an obligation to act. That being said, if I'm off duty and with my family their safety is paramount.

Coming from a non-uniformed agency and spending the first 15 years of my career working undercover narcotics I've had my share of being mistaken for a bad guy. Also, there's too many documented cases of blue on blue with tragic results. To that end my tactics has always geared toward that.

I always carry two badges, one in my wallet and one clipped to my belt that has a neck chain. If I need to engage an active shooter the badge isn't for him, it's to protect me. I will be identifying myself to the shooter via rounds going towards him. The badge will be hanging backwards so if anyone is coming up will hopefully see it.
In the winter I wear a 5.11 jacket that has the "POLICE" patch hidden in the rear.