Excerpt from Active Killer Incidents: A Guide for the Armed Civilian by Scott Kirshner.
The term “Active Shooter” needs to be replaced with the more descriptive and more accurate phrase “Active Killer” as the term ‘shooter’ is not always accurate. There have been many killing perpetrated with knives, bombs, pressure cookers, and even vehicles. Additionally, the term “Active Shooter” tends to overly focus on firearms even when a firearm is not the weapon being used to commit the heinous act of violence. The other significant issue is that it diminishes responsibility of the person by focusing on the “weapon” instead of the “behavior” which is murder. Therefore, a more accurate and descriptive term is “Active Killer.” Even if the killer is using a firearm the phrase should be Active Killer to reinforce the behavior and not the weapon. I believe it will take time to get away from the phrase Active Shooter as the media continues to push their anti-gun narrative.
Active Killer Incident Model
As stated, active killer responses are rapidly changing on both the law enforcement and civilian side. The “Run, Hide, Fight” mantra was a simple way to teach civilians how to respond to an Active Killer Incident. I do not believe that model is the most effective, in part, because of the way it was taught. Citizens were taught, or interpreted, that their response must be linear meaning that you first run, then hide if running is not an option, and then fight as a last resort when you have no other options. In reality, your response is dictated by the actions of the killer. I strongly believe your “Default Mental Position” and your first cognitive response should be to FIGHT. Yes, fight. Start with the worst case scenario and if other options are presented then be flexible and adaptable in your response. I believe that the paradigm shift for citizens to follow when responding to an Active Killer incident is: Attack – Escape – Evade. Now, do not interpret this to mean violence is what you will use first or even at all. It should be your default mental position meaning that you start with a very clear understanding that you are ready, willing, and able to use violence from the start of an Active Killer Incident where people are being killed. If other options exist that will allow you to avoid the use of violence then you have options especially if you are with family. As a civilian, you generally do not use violence to resolve conflict on a routine basis. Therefore, it is common to have a thought process that you will “work up” to the use of violence if all other options fail. Violence can escalate extremely quickly. If you are not ready from the beginning of an incident to use violence you will end up behind in the OODA Loop and this is a bad place to be. Playing catch up during a violent encounter is a losing strategy and one that I do not recommend.
Want to learn more about surviving if you ever find yourself in such a situation? Join our interactive online webinar with author, Scott Kirshner on Monday, June 19, for Part 2 (check for your time below), and learn the survival tactics we all need to know in these times.
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