Where is the “safe place”? Is it your home? Your neighborhood? Your school? Your Church/Synagogue? Perhaps in this post electronic age, there is no 100% safe place. That is not the world we imagined we would pass on to our children. Still, we must address the danger.
“I come in peace. I didn’t bring artillery. But I’m pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you (mess) with me, I’ll kill you all.”[1]
Nobody wants to fight, but we have become too complacent when we hear about mass shootings or terrorist events occurring ‘someplace else’. That can’t happen here, can it? But should the average person be worried about these kinds of attacks? Worried? No. Prepared? Yes. The key is to understand that while certain things such as terrorists/active shooters are “scary”, you don’t have to be perpetually afraid of them. Learn how they operate and what it takes to protect yourself, and then go about your life.
“You cannot allow any of your people to avoid the brutal facts. If they start living in a dream world, it’s going to be bad.”
Americans need to educate themselves as to what is going on in the world today. The better educated they are, the less they need to worry and the more prepared they will be. They need to be aware of possible threats, and they should take appropriate steps. What’s appropriate will differ for everyone. However, it essentially means being aware of your surroundings and thinking ahead about your options to get away with your family should there be an attack. Get ‘Threat Educated’.
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.”
Individuals who can act decisively and bring these types of attacks to a satisfactory conclusion (bad guys neutralized; good guys alive and well) take on the mantle of ‘unannounced fighter’. In today’s world, every man is a counter terrorist. Consider going armed always if possible and resist the temptation to leave the gun at home. Learn to carry concealed properly. At the very least, carry a knife. Get or stay in good physical condition. The guy coming to kill you has taken his training seriously.
“There are hunters and there are victims. By your discipline, cunning, obedience and alertness, you will decide if you are a hunter or a victim.”
Active shooter/terrorist events are not the same as a “normal” self-defense encounter with regards to legality, disparity of force or liability. The moment that it is a terrorist/active shooter event, all other concerns become non-issues. A man or men with masks and rifles classifies as that.
Learn to shoot accurately at distance. There will be no warnings, no challenges - Only recognition of a threat and escalation of violence. You might survive and win if you are decisive enough, accurate enough and violent enough. Let’s be all these things.
[1] All quotes by Gen. James “Mad Dog” Mattis, who retired after 41 years of service in the United States Marine Corps.
BE SAFE • BE EFFECTIVE • BE READY
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