I would never run toward the sound of gunfire.

[boredelmo]

I'm pretty sure this is a "to each their own" subject. No one has a say in what others should do if they carry a gun.

Would I help some people (strangers to me) being shot at by a maniac? Sure, they could be your children, significant others, parents etc. I would hope others would extend the courtesy for my family (aka strangers to you), but obviously such is not the case.

Sheepdog police superman? Naw, just a morally minded citizen who wouldn't be able to watch a slaughter of human life and think to myself "Jeez at least I can live another day."

 

[Gunnerpalace]

Everyone says "man if only one person was able to CCW on campus during ____ shooting many less would have died".

There is a statement here it is called "practice what you preach",

It would not look good for us to say that and then go on here and say we would not, I bet the anti's would tear this up too.

 

[The Annoyed Man]

I would not run toward the gunfire. Better trained people than me get paid to do that. I don't get paid.

My gun is for my protection and my family's protection. If others happen to benefit from that by proximity, then so be it.

 

[lenziggy]

Be the best witness I can!

 

[Erik]

As a general rule I would "run toward gunfire" in that I take the term to mean I am willing to "respond to a threat close enough in proximity to be quickly engaged on foot."

I'd like others to do so, but do not expect it. Thanks to those who at least keep that option open for themselves.

Another thing to consider, not every carrier's training, fitness, physiology, and mind set on any given day, if ever, equals everyone else's. Some times, regardless of intentions, folks shouldn't get involved. Some of those folks are assigned negative character traits at times as these threads play out. I don't believe that is helpful or fair.

 

[zinj]

It's easy to say you would run towards gunfire when you are sitting in front of a keyboard.

 

[Erik]

On what to worry about should you decide to intervene, or at least place yourself in a position where it is a possibility:

Be done with you actions before the LEOs arrive on scene. That's 2-5 minutes in most instances- YMMV depending on location.

Then...

You have to worry about the same thing plain clothes LEOs have to worry about on a regualr basis, namely, being mis-ID'd as a bad guy and shot. Become a non-threat; reholster or place your weapon down, rasie your hands or at least keep them in the open, communicate as necessary, and comply with orders immediately without hesitation.

 

[goon]

In most situations I'd avoid it.
You just open yourself up to too many legal problems by getting involved in a gunfight that you could have avoided.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

The woman in CO who was the armed security guard, ran toward gunfire. (The fact that she was a former cop and trained obviously had a lot in her decision), and now she's a hero.

No, she specifically did not. She neither ran toward gunfire or ran from it. She took cover. By her own words, she took cover and waited until he came to her before she stepped from cover and took action.

Listen to her description yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRcWpU4bGNc

 

[SoCalShooter]

Frankly I dunno, if I were armed I might I am not a coward but I am no hero either nor do I go lookin for a fight. But depends on the situation.

 

[Nio]

As a trainer, I train LE and Military to run TO the danger.

While I will not claim to be better or braver than any of those men or women, I would be ashamed to be less so.

Nio

 

[wrc]

Gunfire is a sound.

If you are a regular old CCW-er, why would you even think of *running* to a *sound*? The idea of that is wrong on so many levels.

Running implies you are not taking the time to carefully observe what is happening as you approach (or hope you approach) the sound you heard.

You heard gunfire. Where? Gunfire echoes. Are you running the right way? Are you facing the right way once you reach your destination?

What are you going to do when you get there? Start shooting? Dive on the grenade? Tackle someone?

You won't be calling for backup, you don't have backup. You won't have tactical communication to radio in your observations or receive updates. You *might* get a lagged feed from a 911 operator.

Statistically, if you hear gunfire, it's not the incredibly rare Lone Nut With A Gun we'd all like to think we could save the mall from. Odds are, it's going to be a very quick, one-sided murder attempt.

Statistically, by the time you get there, it will be over. You'll be the only one at the scene with a gun. Lucky you when security and police arrive!

If the shooting is still going on, and it is the Lone Nut With A Gun, you're going to show up and instantly be the highest value target because you're approaching and not retreating. You may be positioned without cover, and you may not see LNWAG before being seen. Ouch.

Entering a fluid situation is something that should be done very carefully with as much foreknowledge as you can muster.

Rushing into a fluid situation cold, with no way to identify which side you are on is not a great career move.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

If you haven't got the guts to use your gun to defend innocent people, you shouldn't carry it

If the "innocent people" don't take reasonable precautions to defend themselves (like CCW), why should you risk your butt to save them from their own poor planning?

In the immortal words of Kenny Rogers, "You got to know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em." If all you're holding is a pistol, your sh*t is pretty weak against a prepared active shooter. You might as well bet your life on a pair of deuces.

It's easy to say you would run towards gunfire when you are sitting in front of a keyboard.

That sure is the truth. I really have to laugh at keyboard-commandos. Whenever I read one of the "I'd charge in, guns-a-blazin'!!!" statements, I just have to roll my eyes.

 

[XavierBreath]

Enough.

While some of the comments here fall short of personal attacks, some of the comments are certainly widespread condemnations of other people who simply chose to exercise their right to think and respond differently.

We don't allow blanket condemnations of those who simply hold a different opinion at The High Road. I'm closing this one as a preventitive measure.