The Batman Shootings in Colorado started a storm of media coverage, a review of gun control, movie theater security, and the psychology of white males who think they are The Joker. Although interesting, none of this coverage has been as informative or influential to me as this article.
The article is an analysis of the Colorado shooting by a Navy Seal, and a few tips on how YOU could try to avoid being a victim on a day to day basis.
See fully pasted article below:
The Colorado movie shooting got under my skin, what if I was there with my parents? What would I have done? What about the helpless people around me?
I am a mixed martial artist, I have had a few fights with a record of 5-1 (youtube Glen Shaw if you doubt me) over the 6-7 years I have trained. I focus on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, and went to a separate gym for a few months for some Krav Maga training.
In general I would consider myself capable of defending myself, but playing out the movie theater situation in my head horrified me. Then it branched out to other scenarios: What would I do if a shooter came in while I was sitting in the office?
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Full Navy Seal Article:
-Don't Make Yourself an Easy Target
"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…
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 200+ lumens.
-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 *** 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"
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Since seeing this article and talking about it with my martial arts instructor I have taken a few simple steps that could one day be the difference between life and death for me and loved ones.
I now carry around a 200+ Lumen flashlight. This is my flashlight and it is no joke, it is similar to having 6-7 laser pointers shined in a flood beam into both of your eyes and I am sure it would buy me a few seconds to fight or flight in a sticky situation. It is the size of a large pen and weighs a little more but clips perfectly to the pocket of a pair of wso/">suit pants.
On top of the flashlight I also started wearing a small knife around my neck for self defense as a last resort in case my hands are not enough or to quickly clear myself of a gang of dirt bags trying to distract me and hurt my lady friend. The neck knife works well because it is invisible under a button up shirt and tie and this particular model functions perfectly in combination with my striking training, one overhand right...
I may be a little more extreme than others but I decided after running through all the scenarios in my head where a simple knife and flashlight could save my life, it is worth it.
I wouldn't share this with WSO if I didn't find it relevant. How do you defend yourself in the jungle?
Thoughts?
Who wants to carry around a damn flashlight everywhere they go?
Here is an idea. Legalize open carry so I can shoot that f*cker back.
This is NRA bullshit.
"Allowing everyone to carry guns will stop this kind of massacre"
Ok - then you tell me if you allow EVERYONE in a town like New York City and its suburbs to carry a gun and you tell me, without flinching, that you feel safer.
Case closed.
Basically act like a crazy paranoid?
To each their own obviously, I don't consider being aware of my surroundings and being prepared for sh*t to hit the fan being crazy. If anything its comfortable for me. As someone who trains I would imagine you have seen people with this same mindset. The most physically capable people I have ever come across are self aware enough to know that fighting ability is not enough in most modern situations.
You could use these to carry all the anti-joker shit you need...
http://legacy-cdn.smosh.com/smosh-pit/092010/extreme-cargo-pants.jpg"
If every average civilian followed these steps, the general population would resemble the military of North Korea.
Well, this is to self defense for everyday people what Simon Black and "Sovereign Man" is to finance. But interesting read nonetheless. I do admit i seat myself tactically at crowded events.
That! Hasn't it ever occured to anyone living there that it might actually be part of the problem, instead of the solution? I don't know but, when I look at the statistics relating the number of weapons to the crime rate, it kind of strikes me that developped countries where guns are banned have a lower rate...
But, hey, carrying a weapon is essential to look like a cowboy
As a humble fighter since I am 15 years I want to say that this kind of article makes me wonder... We are totally missing the point here...
How many more massacres of innocent people do America needs before someone has the intelligence and the guts to say: "Guys, we have to update the 2nd amendment of the Constitution - we can no longer suffer through this"
I love America, the American Spirit and the people that make this country so great but this has to change.
Pleeeaase in a time when a home made bomb can be made out of common materials from a Home Depot, you really think someone who is intent on murder and obviously had no qualms about being caught is not gonna find a way to hurt a massive amount of people without a gun?
When you make thinks like guns incredibly difficult to get the only people who are gonna have it are the criminals. If your allowed to carry a gun, you might actually have a chance to respond before the massacres is too great.
.
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Pleeeaase in a time when a home made bomb can be made out of common materials from a Home Depot, you really think someone who is intent on murder and obviously had no qualms about being caught is not gonna find a way to hurt a massive amount of people without a gun?
When you make weapons like guns incredibly difficult to get the only people who are gonna have access to it are the criminals. If your allowed to carry a gun, you might actually have a chance to respond before the massacres is too great.
Pleeeaase in a time when a home made bomb can be made out of common materials from a Home Depot, you really think someone who is intent on murder and obviously had no qualms about being caught is not gonna find a way to hurt a massive amount of people without a gun?
When you make weapons like guns incredibly difficult to get the only people who are gonna have access to it are the criminals. If you're allowed to carry a gun, you might actually have a chance to respond before the massacres is too great.
When you outlaw guns only outlaws will have guns.
This is way too extreme IMO. If I'm going out to a sporting event, I don't want to get crappy seats just to be near an emergency exit because there's a less than 1% chance that some mad men is going to shoot me.
I also don't think you'd have time in a situation like this to think like that. I mean, just think about it. You're enjoying the new Batman movie and then suddenly, a cannister flys out and you hear gunshots and people around you are getting dropped, people are screaming, etc. It's going to be extremely difficult to figure out that the shooter is wearing armor (you won't even know how many shooters there are at that point/where the gunfire is coming from) and the last thing I'd want to do is shine a flashlight and let him know that I'm alive/where I'm hiding. I'd probably get down and then play dead and hope that I can get away when he's not looking.
Fact is, it's damn near impossible to plan for a situation like this or even the temple shooting today. That's what makes these things so scary, but at the same time, you can't stop living life because of incidents like these either. I do agree that it's important to be aware of your surroundings and weary of suspicious activity. That's something a lot of people could do (i.e. seeing someone go out the emergency exit in the theater shooting/seeing it propped open), but you can't become this paranoid either.
i'm guessing more like less than 0.0000001%.
I conceal carry the tiny ruger lcp 380 with laser all day errday (legally with permit of course). Started doing this when my good friend got jumped and robbed on the way home from the bars one night. Then came the Viriginia Tech shootings, and the lunatic at Illinois State who opened fire in an auditorium and that just confirmed that it was a good idea to have.
This may not be adviseable for the impulsive, but for me, I would only ever consider even drawing it as a last resort.
Just make sure you follow the golden rule if you ever draw your sidearm: If you take it out, you better fucking use it
Umm...accept as one of many unpleasant surprises followed by possession of guns and be thankful that it ain't a fucking bomb; and remember that this is NOT a one time event
awesome advice dude, but why stop there? i personally never leave the house without a full suit of chain mail.
http://www.a2armory.com/chainshirful.html
i am waiting for someone to post an article on what to do if a meteorite is coming straight at you.
just blind it with your high lumens pocket flashlight... DUH!!
Ideally it will be like a meteor striking and I will never need to use it, but if there is a day where it saves someone close to me then it would be well worth it. I am not paranoid in the sense I don't go out and do everything I normally do, the only difference in my life is that I have objects that could keep me and those around me more safe. I shared the article to provoke thought in regards to every day self defense and if (on the small chance) a situation like this arises in life and you or someone near you benefits from one of these tips I would be happy. Then you can come back and send some SB's my way.
Incidentally, of the people that are saying this guy's advice is unhelpful/unlikely to be relevant in their lives, how many have insurance on their health and possessions, and to coverage?
I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.
What I don't understand is why people are hating on OP for this article. It doesn't hurt you in the least to be aware of exits and to be prepared if anything does happen. That cocky attitude is "balling" on a website but I'd love to see your faces if you get mugged because you don't want to keep a fucking flashlight in your bag.
Most muggers/attackers/offenders aren't professional killers. They're thugs/hoodlums. Learning a defense move or two and having a flashlight with you keeps you from being a statistic. Read Black Swan.
You carry a flashlight powerful enough to blind people and wear a knife around your neck at all times? If anyone is going to shoot up the office, my bet is that it's you.
This is motherfucking retarded. I can't believe people just buy into this shit and think they would not urinate all over themselves in this kind of situation.
That flashlight bullshit works, by the way, but only in an environment where you can either a) shoot back or b) run. All the dude would have had to do was just shoot at the giant fucking spot light your happy ass was holding on the balcony and keep shooting until it stopped shinning in his face. Also, who the fuck would carry around a tactical flashlight all the time.
your chances of being caught up in a public shooting spree are about as much as CHUDs or morlocks dragging you into the sewer
New shooting today, naysayers gonna naysay
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/08/breakin…
[quote=Glen@SHU]New shooting today, naysayers gonna naysay
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2012/08/breakin…] Too bad no one had a flashlight.
Sad part is it may have been able to save someones life, idk if youve ever had one shined at you but you cant help but look away until your eyes adjust, daylight or dark. In response to your comment above about it making you a target, the idea isnt to stand there and blind the person it is to buy yourself a few seconds to move. Whether that means laying it inbetween movie seats or aiming, running, and strobing the light. And I carry the flashlight same as I carry a pen, its no more or less convenient.
Being from Denver, CO I couldn't believed what happened and the fact that I personally knew a few people who were in that theater that was attacked by Holmes made the threat to my life hit very close home. The fact that people I saw on a day-to-day basis came so close to death by just going to see a movie they were excited about naturally makes me uneasy, and I for one really appreciate a post like this which highlights specific means of protecting one's self. Cut him some slack...
This is batshit crazy/paranoid.
I think a lot of the comments here are over-reacting against the OP. This article was written by a former Navy Seal. He thinks about self-defense as much as we think about finance.
I used to do karate for years. We occasionally had lessons about what to do if you were in the city late at night and someone pulled a gun or knife on you. For people who care a lot about safety, it doesn't hurt to be prepared.
Avoiding large events is probably a little overly paranoid, but I don't think carrying a high-powered flashlight is unreasonable (just think of it like a woman carrying pepper spray). Personally, I'm not going to take the time to buy a flashlight, but I wouldn't knock someone for doing so.
I'll admit I think this way sometimes, like sitting with my back to the wall and facing the entrance or backing into parking spots in case I need to make a quick getaway. But these are habits from video games, movies, and action-packed daydreaming. I don't take myself seriously when I do this.
I feel that those who do this kind of stuff seriously are like those who follow the insane diets meant to increase their lifespans by 5 years. Sure, you'll get that gain, but at a significant cost. Plus, the stress and unhappiness might be shaving off the expected gains as well.
The flashlight defense actually works if the light is powerful enough. Ever seen the strobe light attack scene from kick-ass?
Quite a sub-culture surrounding "carry": http://everyday-carry.com/
Might not be interesting to all, but there's some good stuff there
Thanks for sharing that link Naga
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