Active Shooting

This week our guest blogger is Victor Chu, a Certified Firearms Instructor previously on the teaching staff for Front Sight Firearms Training Academy. He serves with the California State Military Reserve and is a full time Security Quality Assurance Manager at Chameleon Associates.

ACTIVE SHOOTER AWARENESS – A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND SECURITY PROFESSIONALS

“Active Shooter”. These words are heard on TV, read in headlines, posted on social media – the hot topic in law enforcement and security circles for training and discussion. As soon we hear of any kind of shooting incident, we wonder if it is another “active shooting” incident. As a security professional, as a military policeman, and as a POST certified firearms instructor, I am often asked a variety of questions by family, friends, and sometimes acquaintances about these terrifying events. Those who do not believe “this could never happen in my neighborhood” want to know what they can do to survive an active shooter attack. Here are a few of the most practical pieces of information we can understand and put into action.

As civilians, we generally expect (or hope) that security professionals and law enforcement can respond to and do their best to keep us safe from active shooters and other similar types of threats.  But if we call these shooters “active”, then what do we call ourselves? Targets? Victims? Bystanders? I submit that we should be “active survivors!”

First, let’s define Active Shooter. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defines the active shooter as “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) [sic] and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims.”  Even if the shooter has made preparations, for us, the event will be arbitrary.  This reinforces the point that we need to be aware and prepared.

My objective here is simple and straightforward. I want you to glean enough information to materially increase your chances of surviving an active shooter event in the time it takes to read this blog post.

The first concept I would have you consider is that you are an extension of the security team and the law enforcement community. If you SEE something suspicious or threatening, SAY something. Too many folks are either indifferent or afraid to alert someone, but it is always better to be safe than sorry. The sooner a threat can be identified and stopped, the more lives can be saved.

Where do these shootings take place? At offices, schools, places of worship, restaurants, shopping malls, grocery stores, movie theaters and parking lots. In other words, they can happen anywhere. A good habit to form when entering any room, such as a restaurant or movie theater, is to note the locations of the entrances and exits. Try to always have a vantage point of these access points to give yourself time and distance to react if you should see a threat. Make a quick mental note about where you could escape to and where you could hide. It takes a little more effort in the beginning but these mental exercises will become second nature before long.

So, you hear shooting. Maybe you see a shooter. What do you do? Very simply, your choices are in order of precedence: RUN, HIDE and as a last resort, FIGHT.

RUN: If able to run, this is the best option. Do not delay your escape collecting your belongings. Alert others whom you come across to run but don’t waste time trying to convince them if they are not receptive. Assume the entire facility/building is in the same level of danger. Try to find the shortest escape routes that provide cover or concealment as you get away from the sound of gunfire. “Cover” is anything that is likely to stop or significantly impede the path of a bullet. “Concealment” only hides you from the shooter but will not protect you from gunfire.

HIDE: If it is not practical to run, hiding (sheltering in place) is the next best option. Set your phone to silent and call 911 and leave the line open but volume down. Lock the doors if possible. If unable to lock doors, try to barricade your hiding place. Stack objects under a door handle to keep it from being depressed. Turn off the lights and other sources of light such as a computer monitor. Stay away from the door and windows. If feasible, cover windows.  Find cover and concealment. Be quiet.

FIGHT: If unable to barricade or hide, then prepare to FIGHT! Even if you do not know how to fight, keep in mind that it is better to go down fighting than lying down and giving up. Even if you are injured or killed, maybe the injury you inflict on the shooter/attacker is enough to give the next person a better chance of survival. If you are with one or more persons, you can all work in unison to ambush and attack the adversary. Your chances of surviving when acting as a group are significantly greater than acting alone and certainly better than not taking action at all. Anything can be used as an improvised weapon. Computer keyboards, scissors, chairs, etc. A fire extinguisher discharged in the attacker’s face can be extremely effective and can allow you to either escape, or neutralize the attacker. Remember, in defense of life there are no rules.

What if you have a concealed firearms permit and are armed? You are definitely in a better position to defend yourself and possibly others.  This is a complicated topic in itself and will be covered in a future blog.

Fortunately, first responder wait time has improved since the 1999 Columbine school shooting. Rather than set up a perimeter and wait for special (SWAT) response teams, first responders are now trained to enter and engage the shooter as long as they continue to hear gunfire, and as long as there are at least two officers present. If the gunfire ceases, the first responder tactics will revert to more traditional methods.

Lastly, there are small items you can equip yourself called “Every Day Carry” (EDC) items that anyone can keep with them include:

* A flashlight of some sort, even if it’s a small one on a keychain. A flashlight could help you escape and to navigate to safety in the dark, and if bright enough, blind or daze an attacker long enough for you to escape or attack your attacker.

* A folding pocket knife (do check your local laws on what you can or can’t carry.)  A folding pocket knife is not only a useful tool, it can inflict injuries to your attacker that range from minor but painful injuries to death.

Although we all hope to avoid such an event, we civilians do have a part to play in terror mitigation.  Awareness and preparedness are key to winning this battle.