You?re in a public place, and something terrible starts to go down. Because you fear for your life and those around you, you take deceive action to stop the threat. Because there may be others, E.g. off duty LE, or other permit holders present, or entering the area, what would be the fastest thing you could say (if anything) to alert the good guys that you are part of the solution, and not the problem. Thoughts
I know this will rub some the wrong way, I don't carry a gun to protect everyone else. I carry it to protect myself and my family.
Everyone else has the same rights and abilities to protect their own self as I do.
And if they don't, that doesn't somehow suddenly turn into my problem.
I'm not going to alter my life to save someone else because most people aren't going to be there for you to help pay your legal fees, and any possible lawsuits ruled against you to give to the scum bags family. My personal exemption to my policy would likely only be at a church service that came under fire.
If I am on the other hand protecting myself or my family, my firearm will be re-holstered when the threat is no longer a threat. Not a second sooner. Considering that police response in my town is usually no less than 10 minutes, that's generally plenty of time that I won't have to worry about being in a hurry. If I had access to a cell phone, I would be calling 911 to request ambulances at the location and hang up, even though they ask that you stay on the line. That's just the advice that I was given by a lawyer due to the phone being recorded. Anything that anyone nearby to you says, can also be used as evidence, even when people who didn't even see it come up talking to you about what they heard. So, my lawyer said to give them my name, location and what I need, then immediate hang up until the police arrive. And then make no statements other than you are in duress and need to be transported to the hospital. Giving yourself plenty of time to tell them to ask questions in front of your lawyer. Even though they'll try to get you to waive your rights anyway.
Thanks John, I guess I should have been more specific, when I said ?those around you? I was referring to my wife, and or our grown kids. My carry permit instructor told us in class a number of years ago when talking about a hypothetical scenario at a gas station that was being robbed, he said, think what you like, but if they ain't kin, I?m not in, and yes, I feel the same way if this happened at a Church service.
It just seems like something very short and to the point should be said when engaging the bad guy so that someone just arriving doesn?t mistake you for a threat and open up on you
I have even heard it discussed as to whether it's a good idea to describe yourself and what color clothes you have on as the good guy to dispatch.
Either way, you're going to have a loaded gun pointed at you at some point in the near future and if you were involved, you will be wearing handcuffs.
Period.
There are no two ways about it.
It?s a true fact. I do feel that?s very important to think about how a guy will address something like this in advance, as well as saying as little as possible until your attorney arrives at the station
So the scenario I think you are describing is I am out with Mrs. Bullet and one or more Jr. Bullets and I have to use my gun to defend us.
We actually discuss this and game play it from time to time. I engage the threat. Mrs. Bullet and the Jr. bullets seek cover. As soon as they have cover, they call 911, announce the situation and describe our apparel, position, etc. Increasingly the Jr. bullets are armed too. Four of them now have CFP's in our jurisdiction, and the fifth will get theirs in less than a year.
I love it
I, like John A and most of us, don't carry a gun to save the world. Myself and my loved ones are my main concern.
The pastor of the church my wife's family has attended for generations is relatively new and not the brightest bulb. He's entrusted a former LEO with coordinating security with armed volunteers. Unfortunately, this guy isn't the brightest bulb, either. On our first meeting he brought up the idea that collateral damage is acceptable and as a credential that he has been shot with a .308 twice. He has made no effort to make sure all the volunteers actually recognize each other, or have fixed seats, and is in a wheelchair himself. Also, that he carries a Sig MPX under his coat.
So I only watch over this church when my family is in attendance. I also only do parking lot duty and watch the front door. The latter the former LEO doesn't believe is necessary. He is only preparing for a shoot out inside the main part of the church and an inadvertent crossfire between volunteers falls on deaf ears.
The obvious solution is to get them to change churches. That's not going to happen anytime soon. So I have game planned with the family, too. In answer to the original question, I don't plan on announcing anything. If the scenario presents itself, neutralize the threat, get low, and get out. My family, too, should already have called 911. Deal with the rest after.
Yeah, that plan for church doesn't sound good at all.
Nothing personal, but sounds like you better pray that church never has an active shooter in it because the cure sounds worse than the disease.
At no time ever is collateral damage acceptable. Sometimes it's unavoidable, but never acceptable.
That guy sounds like a total dumbass. And it's OK if you tell him I said so or show him my post too. Because I truly mean it.
Thanks guy?s, we have approaching a dozen people (that I know of) that carry every Sunday. It?s probably wisest to let the others handle it, if it ever came to that.