The Active Shooter

By James Breedlove

            The pretext of what can happen during an active shooting is exacerbated by the shooting in Colorado, and other locations where multiple victims were involved.  In each of those cases the number of people gathered in a location was a denominator which increased the number of victims that would suffer from the mayhem released by the attacker.  There are some lessons that can be learned however, that can potentially save lives.

            First, we must be constantly aware that bad people exist and they do not care who you are or what good you do, with no separation between gender, age or national origin.  Their ultimate goal is to take out as many as they can and seek open visible targets.  In some instances that may mean those who were initially wounded and couldn’t get away from the aggressors initial attack.  Some cases those fleeing from the scene are targets.  It is impossible to get totally in the mind set of the attacker as they are normally mentally disturbed.  But, that may not always be the case.  Whereas, terrorist have idealology which separate them from the criminally insane to just cold calculated executioners who will go to the extreme to achieve the mission which they are set out to do.  Sometimes, there is little separation from the type of person it is, but allows us to know the mind set each have, while terrorist may choose the victims separating men from woman and children; indelibly all become victims when explosive charges are set or the “innocent” are caught in the crossfire. 

            Public places and events are the most likely target locations for people who will become victims of aggression from a, would be attacker, primarily because the number of potential victims that will be subject to harm.  The attacker/terrorist may achieve more significant carnage and cause greater media attention, disruption and demoralization from larger numbers rather than random shootings.  Time plays a role in the attackers agenda, as with most cases they attacker knows that they will be caught or shot in most instances; therefore they don’t always stand a chance to gain the level of notability with a single shooting or event in a small area.  The targets location is also a factor; if this were to occur in the back streets of gangland neighborhoods vs. down town Los Angeles or New York City it would largely go unnoticed other than a local notation in police events in the News.  Another separation between a crazed gunman and a terrorist could be their measure of self-protection or appearance; whereas the crazed gunman may be dressed in black or camouflaged attire or body armor which is easily recognized as out of the ordinary.  The terrorist does likely not want the attention but rather to be able to blend in, to accomplish a goal and perhaps escape undetected. 

             Something that is seen by the military and other anti-terrorism activities, but isn’t a part of mainstream is rouge nations sending insurgents into another nation to create widespread mayhem, largely to accomplish the same goal.  Although, key targets may be selected from terrorist organizations and the level of destruction may differ; the same mission is common with insurgency and cell groups.  High priority targets may be selected verses the average citizen, and the location with more significant impacts than a common household. 

            What are some ways we can protect ourselves from being potential victims or responding to the scene of mass mayhem?   On an organizational stand point, we must identify the threat potential by assessing the likelihood of something of this nature to occur in our district.  Mostly, we must take a look at nationally or state recognized events and locations we might have in our communities.  Sometimes that might even mean people as well.  If my community is sponsoring event’s that attract attention to other cities or states, the likelihood of terrorist and even crazed gunman incident potential goes up.  As an average citizen we must become acutely aware of the security measures in place and our ability to escape an event or location if something should happen.  We must establish communication with other’s so our location is known but not necessarily publicly.   Where are our exits?  What type of show is playing?  Is there an escape route and an alternate escape route?  Does the location provide security or is anyone able to enter undetected with weapons?   In the case of a crazed gunman we are all direct targets, a terrorist may select the location rather than the people as a target.  While both may present significant harm to people in general, the likelihood of being a victim to a terrorist attack can be minimized by avoiding sites of national interest or events.  The crazed gunman scenario may occur at a mall, sporting event, Movie Theater or crowded downtown location or building.  Open your eyes, and be conscious of protective cover; if I’m in the open I am a prime target, but if I can exit into a store front or behind vehicles I can have some measure of protection.  If I hear gun fire I should immediately take cover behind object that actually provide protection rather than being in front of a window or thin wall.  Most average calibers of weapons today will penetrate thin walls, where possible select brick or masonry barriers for protection.  If no other protection is possible at the moment, get down low and identify the location of the shooting or explosion and as quickly as possible place distance from you and the source.  If necessary to escape you must run, do not allow yourself to be a easy target; run from cover to cover if possible. 

            Some say why not fight back.  In most instances, that isn’t an option that is immediately possible.  Terrorist have a planned attack which leads off with significant event, which may kill or injure those in the immediate location.  Crazed gunman shoots any available target and those who are the closest.  Also,  in both instances are generally at a moment of opportunity where most people are not going to be aware of anything out of the ordinary until the first event if not a single event occur.  Even an armed citizen stand the risk of being shot or harming other’s while trying to defend from or trying to stop an attacker.  Without, keen knowledge of the location of the attacker, the trajectory of the bullet and the back stop an armed citizen could endanger others.  There are times where further injury can be avoided by defending one’s self or loved one’s with personally owned weapons, however the moment of opportunity would have to mean imminent threat and highly unlikely to miss the attacker.  Furthermore, locations where an attack may be carried out is most likely going to be illegal to carry a firearm to begin with, and could mean jail time if a weapon was found.  Reasonably so, as the police and other factions are doing what is possible to stop a crazed gunman and anyone carrying a weapon might be that crazed gunman.  That does not mean that everyone who owns and carries a weapon is, crazy or would harm others.  As a matter of fact, some tragedies probably could have been avoided if everyone was able to carry a firearm and was trained and licensed to do so.  That is just my opinion but, facts suggest the same as in the case of lower crime rates in Sweden where everyone is issued a gun and must qualify with that gun.  Also, during WWII the Japanese ruled out trying to invade the US because the fear that every citizen was able to and most likely to be armed.  While some states such as Arizona allow open carry, where those who are license to carry a firearm must carry the weapon loaded and openly.  This allows police officers to be able to quickly determine their course of action.  “If you reach for your weapon, they do not have to determine wither or not it is loaded or unloaded or your intensions.” 

            We look at the Columbine High School event and the Theater event in Colorado as remote incidents that couldn’t possible occur where we live.  We must re-think the way we view this in today’s society where anyone able to conceal a weapon or anyone who have become disgruntle may possible be a shooter.  One key factor to survival is to be aware and able to recognize the possibility of the occurrence could happen.  Sometimes, it may not be easy to pick an attacker out of a crowd, but we can learn to take cautionary actions that could save our lives.  Have a plan, make sure people know where we are at all times, and recognize key locations where well publicized events are occurring.  Also, assure that enough security measures are taken for significant event’s you plan to attend.  If not,  ask your city leadership why?