Pericles
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You're armed in the Colorado theater, what do you do?
- Thread starter Bastiat's The Law
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chudrockz
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I'm a pretty good shot (though I have never tried in high stress) but I'm also a pretty big guy. At 6'8" and about 350 if I had a chance I'd like to think I could tackle the guy. I think that'd do the trick, yeah.
Rothbardian Girl
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Bruno
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phill4paul
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Interesting read....
Navy SEAL Lessons Learned From Aurora Colorado
by Brandon Webb · July 24, 2012 · Posted In: Slideshow, Special Operations
As I continue to read about the terrible tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, I can’t help but think there’s some lessons from my time as a Navy SEAL that I can pass on to the average citizen. So here goes…
Don’t Make Yourself an Easy Target
When at sporting events, concerts, and the movies, choose seats that give you a tactical advantage always. What do I mean? Choose seats that allow good and east vantage points and a hasty exit point. Always stack the odds in your favor. It’s the reason I still combat park (back in to a space) and sit with my back to the wall when I’m eating.
Active Shooter Scenario Advice
Take cover and not concealment. Concealment hides, cover hides AND protects. It’s the difference between hiding behind a movie seat or a concrete wall.
Don’t lie there with your eyes closed and get shot. Think and move. A good decision executed quickly is better than a great one never executed. Violence of action, as we call it in the Spec Ops community, will often change the odds in your favor.
For close quarter combat drills we’d draw a gun with someone over 20 feet away running at us. In most cases you can be on someone before they can draw and take a shot. I’m not advocating running straight at someone but if you have the tactical advantage (jam, re-loading, distraction or the shooter isn’t paying attention) then take the shooter down or get the hell out of there. Deal with the situation with your eyes wide open.
In Aurora, the shooter was severely weighted down with armor and his helmet would have also limited his vision. You can use all this to your advantage.
Flashlight anyone? I have one for daily carry and take it everywhere with me. It’s become another extension of me and has diffused at least two potentially violent confrontations in a non-lethal way. I recommend the Surefire P2X Fury Dual Output LED.
How to use it in this situation?
I would have pulled my high lumens pocket flashlight and blinded this guy. The high powered beam would have taken away his vision for 3-4 seconds, which is an eternity and enough time to flight or fight. There’s also no shame in surviving and getting you and your loved ones out of harm – especially little ones. Be a Hero to your kids and family for surviving, nobody can expect more of you than that. Like we say in Survival Escape Evasion Resistance (SERE) school, “Survive with Honor.”
Concealed Carry
If you’re lucky enough to live in a state like Texas that not only allows concealed carry, but supports the use of deadly force, then train to use it.
Think seriously about whether it’s worth a Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit in states where you’re likely to get screwed by a jury if you use it. Example: I can get a CCW in CA but I’m likely screwed if I shoot somebody. The mostly liberal (I’m a registered independent for the record) jury will be sure to have my ass and it’s why I own a dog that’s trained to bite and protect (another good option). Nothing makes me happier then visualizing PETA pitted against other wild-eyed liberals.
Bottom line is that if you own a gun and have it as daily carry, you’d better rehearse your use scenarios both physically and mentally, and the same with the gun in the home. Mental practice is extremely valuable after you’ve mastered the basics. FYI, shooting paper at the local range will not prepare you for a defensive shooting situation. Rehearsing defensive scenarios is the only thing that will prepare you.
For most of you, the best bet is to buy a good tactical flashlight, there are plenty on the market. Specs: At least 200+ lumens, waterproof, LED, and a 3volt lithium battery. Use and carry your light with you at all times. It’s the best non-lethal and practical option available, in my opinion. You can take it anywhere – including on an airplane – and if it’s a high lumen model it will blind people in broad daylight. I can’t recommend this purchase enough.
Learn From an Expert
There are plenty of former Military and Law Enforcement that have great self-defense skills. Just vet your instructor carefully, ask for references and proof of service. While there are many solid instructors out there, there are also a plethora of wannabe Rex-Kwon-Do types who are self-proclaimed experts and worse – lie about their service.
Alter Your Lifestyle, and it May Save Your Life
Avoid opening night and large crowds (e.g. go to Disney World during off-peak) that make easy targets. FYI, most domestic and foreign terrorists want the biggest bang for their buck. They want Yankee stadium sold out and not Padre stadium at 60% capacity. It sucks to live this way sometimes but ask the survivors from Colorado if it’s worth a minor lifestyle change. I say it is, and it’s the main reason I’m watching the Olympics on TV and not attending this year. London is too much of a risk for a variety of reasons that I will not go into on this post.
Don’t Be a Victim
Rehearse emergency scenarios before there’s an emergency, the time to practice is NOT when it’s happening.
The world is a dangerous place these days. Be prepared.
A great book I’d also recommend is, Escape The Wolf by Clinton Emerson.
My condolences to the victims and their families in Aurora Colorado.
-Brandon
Brandon is a former Navy SEAL, and worked as a Special Operations intelligence & security specialist in Iraq during 2006-07. He is also author of the New York Times Best Seller, “The Red Circle”.
Read more: http://sofrep.com/9657/navy-seal-lessons-learned-aurora-colorado-survive/#ixzz21Z0cauAH
Navy SEAL Lessons Learned From Aurora Colorado
by Brandon Webb · July 24, 2012 · Posted In: Slideshow, Special Operations
As I continue to read about the terrible tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, I can’t help but think there’s some lessons from my time as a Navy SEAL that I can pass on to the average citizen. So here goes…
Don’t Make Yourself an Easy Target
When at sporting events, concerts, and the movies, choose seats that give you a tactical advantage always. What do I mean? Choose seats that allow good and east vantage points and a hasty exit point. Always stack the odds in your favor. It’s the reason I still combat park (back in to a space) and sit with my back to the wall when I’m eating.
Active Shooter Scenario Advice
Take cover and not concealment. Concealment hides, cover hides AND protects. It’s the difference between hiding behind a movie seat or a concrete wall.
Don’t lie there with your eyes closed and get shot. Think and move. A good decision executed quickly is better than a great one never executed. Violence of action, as we call it in the Spec Ops community, will often change the odds in your favor.
For close quarter combat drills we’d draw a gun with someone over 20 feet away running at us. In most cases you can be on someone before they can draw and take a shot. I’m not advocating running straight at someone but if you have the tactical advantage (jam, re-loading, distraction or the shooter isn’t paying attention) then take the shooter down or get the hell out of there. Deal with the situation with your eyes wide open.
In Aurora, the shooter was severely weighted down with armor and his helmet would have also limited his vision. You can use all this to your advantage.
Flashlight anyone? I have one for daily carry and take it everywhere with me. It’s become another extension of me and has diffused at least two potentially violent confrontations in a non-lethal way. I recommend the Surefire P2X Fury Dual Output LED.
How to use it in this situation?
I would have pulled my high lumens pocket flashlight and blinded this guy. The high powered beam would have taken away his vision for 3-4 seconds, which is an eternity and enough time to flight or fight. There’s also no shame in surviving and getting you and your loved ones out of harm – especially little ones. Be a Hero to your kids and family for surviving, nobody can expect more of you than that. Like we say in Survival Escape Evasion Resistance (SERE) school, “Survive with Honor.”
Concealed Carry
If you’re lucky enough to live in a state like Texas that not only allows concealed carry, but supports the use of deadly force, then train to use it.
Think seriously about whether it’s worth a Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit in states where you’re likely to get screwed by a jury if you use it. Example: I can get a CCW in CA but I’m likely screwed if I shoot somebody. The mostly liberal (I’m a registered independent for the record) jury will be sure to have my ass and it’s why I own a dog that’s trained to bite and protect (another good option). Nothing makes me happier then visualizing PETA pitted against other wild-eyed liberals.
Bottom line is that if you own a gun and have it as daily carry, you’d better rehearse your use scenarios both physically and mentally, and the same with the gun in the home. Mental practice is extremely valuable after you’ve mastered the basics. FYI, shooting paper at the local range will not prepare you for a defensive shooting situation. Rehearsing defensive scenarios is the only thing that will prepare you.
For most of you, the best bet is to buy a good tactical flashlight, there are plenty on the market. Specs: At least 200+ lumens, waterproof, LED, and a 3volt lithium battery. Use and carry your light with you at all times. It’s the best non-lethal and practical option available, in my opinion. You can take it anywhere – including on an airplane – and if it’s a high lumen model it will blind people in broad daylight. I can’t recommend this purchase enough.
Learn From an Expert
There are plenty of former Military and Law Enforcement that have great self-defense skills. Just vet your instructor carefully, ask for references and proof of service. While there are many solid instructors out there, there are also a plethora of wannabe Rex-Kwon-Do types who are self-proclaimed experts and worse – lie about their service.
Alter Your Lifestyle, and it May Save Your Life
Avoid opening night and large crowds (e.g. go to Disney World during off-peak) that make easy targets. FYI, most domestic and foreign terrorists want the biggest bang for their buck. They want Yankee stadium sold out and not Padre stadium at 60% capacity. It sucks to live this way sometimes but ask the survivors from Colorado if it’s worth a minor lifestyle change. I say it is, and it’s the main reason I’m watching the Olympics on TV and not attending this year. London is too much of a risk for a variety of reasons that I will not go into on this post.
Don’t Be a Victim
Rehearse emergency scenarios before there’s an emergency, the time to practice is NOT when it’s happening.
The world is a dangerous place these days. Be prepared.
A great book I’d also recommend is, Escape The Wolf by Clinton Emerson.
My condolences to the victims and their families in Aurora Colorado.
-Brandon
Brandon is a former Navy SEAL, and worked as a Special Operations intelligence & security specialist in Iraq during 2006-07. He is also author of the New York Times Best Seller, “The Red Circle”.
Read more: http://sofrep.com/9657/navy-seal-lessons-learned-aurora-colorado-survive/#ixzz21Z0cauAH
jmdrake
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fisharmor
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In all honesty, the adrenaline, the confusion, the tactics are all secondary to me.
The primary question in my head is this:
Considering the legal and financial grief - no, grief isn't even a strong enough word - that I'd be guaranteed to go through in the aftermath, how likely am I to try to protect a bunch of other people?
Do I attempt to save lives, knowing that as a result the state's prosecution will require years of my life, perhaps my entire savings, and possibly even my children?
The state does not want any of us to do this, you know.
The primary question in my head is this:
Considering the legal and financial grief - no, grief isn't even a strong enough word - that I'd be guaranteed to go through in the aftermath, how likely am I to try to protect a bunch of other people?
Do I attempt to save lives, knowing that as a result the state's prosecution will require years of my life, perhaps my entire savings, and possibly even my children?
The state does not want any of us to do this, you know.
we're not sure the theater perp was wearing this brand of armor are we?....good vid. Thanks for the info. I stand partially corrected.
CaptainAmerica
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Lets be realistic, it happend. It happend so fast that I highly doubt that any weekend warrior or even a trained soldier/officer could do anything in a completely dark/smoke filled room with hundreds of bodies making it distracting or impossible to locate the shooter. Im not gonna say that we should be unarmed citizens,but it was private property and unfortunately not all businesses provide security to protect people, and that it is our choice to take a risk of being unarmed everytime we step onto a private property that doesn't permit a self defense weapon concealed/or open carry.It was a matter of time, and I did think of how vulnerable theaters are not too long ago because I have seen how crazy people get on Black Friday at the stores and whats not to stop a mob of people from getting crazy at a theater over a huge blockbuster film for seats or what not...well I was wrong about people just being there to get seats, but some psychotic man decided to go hurt everyone in a vulnerable environment. It does not help that the theaters hire teenagers(I don't have anything against them wanting to work there) as the door men. Theaters need to learn that they cannot provide such a busy venue without having proper security(private security of course) made up of men and women old enough and capable enough of defending the customers from any given situation such as that which happened in Aurora Colorado.
Anti Federalist
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I do this on a regular basis. (Mrs. AF thinks I'm weird.)
That is a great piece of advice right there, this applies anywhere a whole herd of "soft targets" (that's you and me Mundane, anytime we're trapped in victim disarmament zones.) may be massed up together.
Every time I'm stuck in the gate rape lines at the airport, for example, you can bet your ass I'm "checking my six" regularly.
Anti Federalist
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You open your doors to the public and do a public business, tough shit.
My human right to defend myself supersedes corporate property rights, especially since my being armed causes no upset to anybody else.
MelissaWV
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You being armed doesn't. Some idiot being armed does, especially with the jostling people do in theater seats and the number of kiddos around. I'm not saying it's even likely there'd ever be an accidental shooting, but just as a private business can ban smoking or wearing hats or require you to wear shoes (when was the last time someone not wearing shoes hurt anything but your nose?)... I would think it'd be just fine for them to ban guns. That's an opinion, of course. I also think that it would be just fine for people to make a stink about it and ensure they see their movies elsewhere.
TheTexan
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The way I see it is, a private company has the right to request no guns on the premises, and they also have a right to throw anyone out they don't want there.
But it shouldn't ever be illegal. So in that situation you can just concealed carry anyway, not like they'd search you in most places.
But it shouldn't ever be illegal. So in that situation you can just concealed carry anyway, not like they'd search you in most places.
MelissaWV
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^ A much better way of putting it.
jmdrake
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Most people are focusing on more guns/less guns. What about more body armor? Why isn't body armor considered a basic human right? Yep, even for convicts. And it should be cheaper. I don't mean through government subsidy. I mean that repeal of laws restricting body armor should cause the price to drop.
jmdrake
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Yep. And in that case if they really don't want guns they should install metal detectors and security. But they should realize that by doing that they are taking upon themselves the responsibility of protecting their unarmed patrons against armed intruders and be liable for wrongful death suits.
TheTexan
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We need to make laws to force theaters to have AR-15's available in case of emergency, 1 in every hallway, and at least 1 per 4,000 square feet. It would say "Break Glass in Case of Emergency", and would be high enough so children can't reach it.
That should do the trick
That should do the trick
