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”.
The only thing off here is that Brandon didn’t know that Cinemark Theatres are, by corporate policy, a gun free zone and CCW is prohibited in their theatres.
I’ve heard that you want to “look like you are aware of your surroundings” and “look like you are ready to defend yourself”. Unless you are the only target they expect, they’ll probably wait for easier pickins.
I was walking at night in a somewhat seedy part of Seattle about a year ago dressed and noticed this young girl, about 20-25ish, keeping up with me, about a step back, no matter how I adjusted my speed.
I finally stopped, turned to her and asked me if she wanted to walk next to me until she gets to where she was going. She looked up and looked very relieved. Kinda made me feel important, too. :-)
I’m wondering if she learned that somewhere. To a casual observer, it appeared from the beginning that she might be “with me”. Pretty smart, actually.
Indeed, it’s all in the mindset. Giving up on guns or preps, means becoming a slave of the state.
We need to protect our free speech in theaters, colleges and will to have ambitions beyond creep government jobs over our goodies, grab a$$ civil rights protected f@gs, and welfare.
It’s the loophole for murder for stupid, stupid.
/johnny
“Dressed” = “ “
No, I don’t normally walk undressed. That word was part of a comment that I apparently only partly removed. :-(
I did think of flashlight when I visited Amazing1.com ... they got this flashlight that will burn your retina if you stare at it... Use that on a perp with dilated eyes coming at night for you, and he is a goner enough you can go to him and kick his butt.
The correct posture is somewhere between paranoia and oblivious.
I learned it (mandatory)at my career place of employement.It reduces backing acidents
HA! I just saw that 3-pack and passed on it...going back to get it this week. Costco also has a nice 2-pack Mag Lite set (small and large), and they’re LED instead of the old incandescent kind, so MUCH brighter and longer battery life. Those are $30. I’m grabbing the 3-pack though.
Wouldn’t a flashlight create a situation where the guy is pissed off and fires his rounds at random spraying everything.
And if he is already shooting at random..would it have really made any difference - not including the smoke factor.
Thanks for sharing. Passing along ......
Yeah...I'm going to tell them I'm carrying.
/johnny
I have carried high output flashlights for years for this very purpose as well as it just being a darn good light source. Think Flash and Bash. I use some lights from Gerber insomuch as they use AA batteries which are sometimes more available than the 3V Lithium. Since I reside in Kali I try and carry only what I can explain away.
They don't approach the 200+ Lumen in the article but are usefull none the less as a fist load as well as sight blinder. Surprise is the purpose.
Even where legal, I imagine open-carry would draw undue attention...
CineMark is welcome to have their corporate policy, along with their signs, but I firmly believe in “concealed means concealed”. In many states, a sign posting means nothing as regards being illegal to carry on the posted property. If spotted, they can ask you to leave and you should immediately do so after getting your refund.
I also fully endorse the “No guns = No $$$$” and practice it often. However, if the SO wants to go to a specific show at a posted theater then the concealed rule goes into effect. Happy wife = happy life!!
Awesome...I'm going to replace the bulbs in all three of mine then.
Don’t know too many serious gun guys (Mil, Leo, Other..) that aren’t mad for flashlights.
The emergence of the LED as primary source has been the real tipping point. Not only do they deliver more and whiter light than incandescent bulbs, depending on circuitry, they provide epic battery life and options (high...low...strobe...SOS...rescue flash).
FENIX has several models using both CR123, and AA cells with good lumens and options
Streamlight has a great AA model with 130 lumens or so with High/strobe/low options
Favorite for “potential social intercourse” is still the safelight. 2xCR123, tail cap switch with intermittent or click on click off......press and hold in either on/off mode and it strobes. 120 lumens, great light.
Surefire is a “make the best deal you can” situation but their LED lights are good.
Sidearm, lights (yep, more than one), pepper spray, and blades.....and train with all of them.
Prayers for the families,
for the sheepdogs......
Stay Alert.
The author’s comment about being qualified for CCW in California but chosing not to carry given the political environment coincides with my recent self defense review in light of the George Zimmerman case.
I’m at the point where age and declining physical capabilities have increased the odds of being a potential target. Not disabled but older, heavier, and certainly less speedy and despite still walking with a confident attitude and swivel headed awareness, it’s a growing reality that situations involving deadly force are more likely.
After thinking about GZ, I met with my family lawyer to discuss hypotheticals. My guy is and has been very good at the regular family and civil law stuff but he admits to no criminal experience with armed self-defense. He gave me a short list of defense attys. I could see to feel them out.
Three days later he called to tell me he had thought about our talk and gave me the name of the criminal lawyer he had just sort of signed up. Seems he came to the same conclusion I had.
So, for the price of a few lessons or a few cases of ammo, I have a bull dog I can call day or night if the SHTF confident I have the potential aftermath covered.
Any thoughts?
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