Is THAT the active shooter?

[Protected One]

The State of Michigan has, to date, issued about 500,000 concealed pistol licenses(CPL's). With a population of 10 million that means that roughly 5% of residents have licenses, yet according to a story I read only about 6% (30,000)of those with cpl's actually carry every day.


Recently, I read a story about what appears to have been a targeted shooting that took place in a mall. According to one shopper who was present at the time - "when I heard shots I took cover behind a nearby decorative plant and drew gun." As he looked around he noticed numerous other people had ALSO drawn firearms and were looking (or moving) in the direction the shots were heard.


It occurred to me that any one of those armed people could be mistaken as the shooter, especially those moving toward the area the shots rang out from. Every states percentages of carriers is different, but regardless to what state you live in one could easily find themselves out someplace where shots suddenly ring out, only to find yourself surrounded by other armed patrons.

The question is: How do you think you would respond in such a situation to protect yourself (and family), yes....but to avoid being a potentially mistaken target by the others?

I will wait for your responses before saying what I would do.

 

[nachogrande]

WILL LET YOU KNOW WHEN/IF IT HAPPENS.

I THINK rolleyes & would hope, keeping it holstered until you have an absolutely identified bad guy and a clear shot, AFTER getting yourself & family some cover. Once under cover call 911. DO NOT take selfies or film a you tube video. Getting you & loved ones to safety first & foremost trumps playing superhero, JMO.

 

[tlawler]

Make your way towards the nearest exit in a direction away from the sound of shots while keeping your loved ones close. DO NOT draw your weapon.

 

[Protected One]

I THINK rolleyes & would hope, keeping it holstered until you have an absolutely identified bad guy and a clear shot, AFTER getting yourself & family some cover. Getting you & loved ones to safety first & foremost trumps playing superhero, JMO.

I said "think" specifically because most of us have never been in that spot and therefore don't know what we would actually do - even WITH training.
A few have, however, and are much more qualified to predict.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Drawing your weapon and moving towards the shooter are big mistakes. Moving away from the shooter should be priority one.

 

[Protected One]

Drawing your weapon and moving towards the shooter are big mistakes. Moving away from the shooter should be priority one.

I agree. If the threat is not coming toward me I am certainly not going looking for it.

 

[nachogrande]

WELL NOW.

I said "think" specifically because most of us have never been in that spot and therefore don't know what we would actually do - even WITH training.
A few have, however, and are much more qualified to predict.[/QUOTE
]
NOBODY can reliably predict how someone, already been thru it before or not, may react to a future event, regardless of their "qualifications".

 

[Bob L]

I have often thought about that same event. I would like to think that if I was alone that I would move to help but just seeing someone with a gun or even seeing someone discharge a weapon does not mean that it is the active shooter that you are seeing.

 

[steelslaver]

Somewhere like a mall, if I am in a good defensible position, I am not going anywhere. Movement attracts attention. Plus, even though I may be moving away from the shoots I heard, unless I know what going on there is no way to be positive I am moving in a safe direction, addition shooters, LEO.s and Mall Ninjas may be coming from anywhere.

 

[ExRanger714]

If they see me, given the choice, I will be backing away from the trouble with a loved one (if they are with me) behind me (leading the way actually) and a handgun at the low ready or at my side.

 

[oink]

Bearing in mind that being obviously armed in such a situation could make one a target of both the shooter and responding LEO's, I will look after my own family first, if that at issue, but otherwise I WILL NOT forsake my fellow citizens if my action can save a life.

Once my loved ones are secure I will move toward the fire. Having myself or someone else try to contact dispatch to advise them of my actions and description would be advisable but I have little assurance that would be of value. Dispatch would probably get it wrong. I don't expect my wallet badge would be of much use but I'd use it if possible.

I'm not ignorant of the risks. I'm no spring chicken any more. I'm just an old burnt out road cop. I have bad knees and can't run good. However, I don't think I would want to live with knowing people died when I might have prevented it.

I'd like to think I could distinguish a "mall ninja" from the shooter(s) and I would try not to show openly prematurely. Yeah, it could end badly but I have to live with myself.

 

[Mainsail]

The State of Michigan has, to date, issued about 500,000 concealed pistol licenses(CPL's). With a population of 10 million that means that roughly 5% of residents have licenses, yet according to a story I read only about 6% (30,000)of those with cpl's actually carry every day.

Here's a page that has the stats: Concealed Carry Statistics: Quick Facts by State (2017)

 

[gonerydin]

“No plan survives first contact with the enemy.”


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rudi]

We are under no obligation to act. Take care of you and yours.

 

[oink]

We are under no obligation to act. Take care of you and yours.

I agree in most cases. A theft or even a robbery, if no one is getting killed, I'll just be a much better than average witness. I will not run or cower when lives are being taken, if I'm in a position to make a difference, and once my loved ones are clear, if that's at issue. And yeah that's my obligation, my duty, my civic duty.

 

[gman51]

Unless I actually saw the shooter doing the shooting then I am not about to start firing shots at someone just because they have a gun. No I am not going to be waving my gun around and get myself shot. Show your gun and you might hear screams and people yelling you have a gun. That might cause your skin to be perforated.

This is a good question for people to think about. Carrying a gun has a lot of responsibility that many people don't even think about. Carrying a gun can protect you or might get yourself killed.

 

[lrrifleman]

When I was an active teacher, my school's resource officers saw me as their "back up" due to my shooting history.

After Parkland, my views changed and would apply to this scenario. First, retreat with my family to a secure location, then take a defensive position. Keep my weapon holstered until the threat presents itself.

 

[7shooter]

A retired LEO tells me that one possibility he might use depending on the situation would be to hold his wallet high in the air as if it was a badge and identify himself as Security. He would then see if it was safe and appropriate for him to intervene. His most likely first step would be to stay below the radar until he was sure what was going on.

He says it is accurate to declare he is Security because that is what he is for himself.

 

[BAM-BAM]

“No plan survives first contact with the enemy.”

Mall....... Amazon Prime is your friend!!!

 

[Muss Muggins]

As always, my reason for carrying a pistol as a private citizen is to secure a safe and secure exit for me and mine. If that requires gunfire, so be it, but generally, it should not. I can always phone in my statement later that evening when the major case squad command post is up and running . . .