Concealed carry and the active shooter

There is a misconception by people who are ignorant to the responsibilities of concealed firearm permit holders.  Some people think that we are wannabe police officers, vigilantes or simply looking for a gunfight.  These couldn’t be further from what the true reality is.  The responsibility of the concealed firearm permit holder is to protect their lives and the lives of those they care for.  In some cases, the concealed firearm permit holder could be the Good Samaritan.  The CFP holder runs the risk of all the aftermath effects after the shot is fired.  Simply put, not many people will want to run the risk of this for themselves or their families.

Times are certainly different now than they were 20 years ago.   The world is a beautiful place with dangerous people.  Some of these people are mentally ill, driven by politically motives, disillusioned by religious extremists, pushed over the edge by their egos and some are just plain evil.  These people have taken to mass shootings and are commonly referred to as Active Shooters.  The anti-gun groups feel banning all guns will prevent this problem.  Those with common sense know that is not the case. 

Most of the active shooters have chosen to select venues that are gun free zones.  Another pathetic decision by the anti-gun groups!   Gun free zones are areas that have signs posted that give notice that firearms are not allowed on that property.  It can be shopping centers, houses of worship, movie theaters, office complexes, restaurants, schools and banks just to name a few.  Disagree with these?  Do some research and you will see these are the places the Active Shooters pick since there will be no one to shoot back.  The CFP holders know they cannot carry concealed in these locations, so they will leave their firearms at home or locked in their vehicles before they enter these places.

What happens when there is an Active Shooter on a rampage and you are in the area as an armed CFP holder?  Do you run towards the sounds of the gunfire with your firearm drawn? No, that would be suicide for you and mislead the first responders.  By running towards the sound of gunfire with your firearm drawn, witnesses will give your description to the 9-1-1 operator and the first responders will be looking for someone that matches your description.  This misidentification could divert tactics to the wrong location that will cost more innocent lives. 

One of the best lines of defense against an Active Shooter is to find a place where there is cover and to barricade in place if you cannot reach an exit to flee.  If barricade is the only option, try to get as many people in a safe location with you.  Do not fight or try to convince people to go with you.  A room with thick walls would be the ideal location.  If the walls are not thick, try to build a barrier at least 18” thick.  This will increase the chances of slowing down bullets and even stopping them, depending on what caliber the Active Shooter has chosen.  Books, printer paper and furniture will work just fine.  Push these objects against the walls and the door of the room you are in.  Be sure those with you keep their heads below the highest line of the improved barricade.

Once everyone is secured in the barricaded location, hopefully there are people with you that are online with 9-1-1 already, call 9-1-1 yourself.  Give the operator your location, the amount of people that are with you, identify yourself as a CFP holder and wait for the first responders.  If the gunshots are close to your location, tell everyone to remain silent, turn off their cell phones, those who are on the phone with 9-1-1 will need to be quite, still and below the line of cover.  If the Active Shooter shoots rounds outside your location, do not return fire.  Give the appearance there is no one inside.  If the Active Shooter tries to gain access inside your location, that is the time to come unconcealed and draw your loaded firearm.  Aim at the door and wait for it to open.  Hold your fire until the door opens!  If the door does not open, the Active Shooter is enroute to another location, holster your firearm and quietly inform the 9-1-1 operator of the direction you believe the Active Shooter was going.

Do not move from cover until the first responders make contact with you.  It would be wise to have the 9-1-1 operator verify the responders are at you location prior to opening up.  Do not greet the first responders with a firearm in your hand.  Make sure the firearm is holstered and inform them you are a CFP holder, you are armed and what their commands are.  Follow all commands and move to the locations they order.  The CFP holder is an armed citizen so don’t offer to play deputy.  Your job as the CFP holder was successful in this scenario.