Ping for later read ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, FRegards
Posted on 07/23/2012 10:08:01 AM PDT by marktwain
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 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 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”.
All good ideas. Don’t forget a good knife. If only there been a few armed folks like Sam Williams in the crowd.
“You’ll need 9 of the AAAs for these, and they’re just good things to have on the shelf in general.”
One of the bottom veg crisper drawers in my ‘fridge is full of all types of batteries, for all of my cell/computer/weapons/lights applications, and I rotate/replenish them as I do with my vast prepper stockpiles. My (now) 350K rounds of ammo for my 8 calibers doesn’t need rotating; just be kept cool and dry.
OK, I tested some of my newer lights and now I’m blinded!!!
It took me ten minutes of waiting to read the rest of the thread and to post this comment!
Six thousand? My guess is he'd lose interest in his little murder spree when his entire head burst into flames from that Death Ray. It'd be like burning ants with a magnifying glass. LOL!
In all the excitement, no one will notice!
Seriously, a few years ago I was in the French Quarter in New Orleans with a bunch of my buddies and having a beaucoup bon temps! We were up on a balcony in some bar (around Bourbon and Toulouse but it may have been a block down on Royal...Dauphin?) tossing beads to the ladies on the streets below. Well after a time some of the beads we were throwing got hung up on the gutter, so I stupidly climbed out to get them off, and wound up ripping my pants from the crotch to the ankle. It looked like I was wearing half a dress!
Anyway, I wanted to go but my buddies were like, “Come on man, it’s N’awlins! No ones gonna notice, and if they do, they’ll think you did it on purpose and think you’re some hip cool dude with a ‘tude about pants!”
Still, I caught a cab and went back to the hotel, and wound up crashing out on the bed.
They still tell me I missed the best fun after I left.
Man, next time I’m staying!!!
Ping for later read ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, FRegards
I just happen to have a cache of fireworks couldn’t send up (last-minute drought declaration in Centex) and some are 10-shot largish roman candles. Long and slim, big report.
Just thinking what all might distract a shooter that could get through security anywhere. Two tied together firing in tandem could disrupt anybody, no matter how much helmet, throat guard, whatever gear. Cheap also.
Bookmark
Yep.... Nothing new here.
Stay safe !
flashlight?? What about a .45! Come on now...all good people get armed now!
Maybe it is just me, but I can’t imagine pulling a flashlight out when someone is threatening me with a knife or a rifle (YGBSM!).
Think I’ll keep my 686+ & avoid places that don’t want my business. And I haven’t seen a movie in a movie theater since Lord of the Rings Part 3...may buy a big screen TV for “The Hobbit” & check on when it is coming to a DVD near me!
Great story!
And they probably all went home right after you did...trust but verify...
Always shoot the hostage in the leg an then go for the failure drill...
<. /. Sarcasm>
What have Americans become...a bunch of targets? Get armed! The bad guys are.
I don't want to see a movie where the only people with guns are criminals and killers... If they ban guns, they've banned me.
Excuse my ignorance,but what is combat parking?
Backing into a parking space so you have a fast exit if needed.
OK. Thanks.
Serpentine! Serpentine!
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