KJW, I see what you're saying with the question. The real question is, how close is the armed good guy to my child? Obviously, if my child is killed and the guy is right there, then I would question why they didn't do anything. If they're on the other side of the mall, there's no way I could ask them to get involved. If I'm close enough that people around me are getting shot, I'm not protecting them when I draw my weapon. I'm protecting myself and they just happen to be close enough to benefit from my response. Obviously, If I'm drawing, I'm going to be telling others to get to cover or get out. However, I'm not deploying my weapon and hunting someone down, and if people around me are getting shot, I'm not gonna try to run away, it'll be fight time.
What has been bothering me though is others possibly carrying or even off duty LEO sending lead my direction thinking I am the perp.
Where do you get one of those, can I get mine with pointy stars like "matt dillon"???Im surprised nobody is saying he would just draw his CCW badge to ID himself as the good guy for when the LEOs (or other armed citizens) show up.
I understand all that. What was the response time at Sandy Hook? Something like 15 minutes before the cops actually entered? In Aurora CO (according to wiki) it was about 9 minutes before the police were called. At Virginia Tech it took three minutes for the cops to get there and another 5 before they entered. My point is, police aren't going to just come charging in blindly. You will have a chance to engage, reholster, and hide if you choose. And if you are close enough to make it happen within ten minutes.#1 priority, I would get low, and secure me and mine. Look for either cover, or preferably an exit, and move. If I happen across others along the way, I would do what I could for them along the way, but not to the point of neglecting my, or my families security.
Past that, the situation will be anything but normal, and as such, any planning on my part would need to stay dynamic in order to walk away from such a situation.
Thinking about this has raised another question/thought in my mind. I know LEOs are highly trained, always professional, and NEVER step outside of the guidelines of department policy, but going into any situation of this sort, adrenaline will probably be flowing free, and sometimes people do things out of either instinct, or fear. Running into a public place, full of people, knowing that there is a person who is actively shooting people, what is the first thing you think when you see a gun and civilian attire? Having a gun in hand if/when the police show up could be the last mistake we make. Likewise, if you are an OC devotee, and the wrong officer happens to see Mr John Doe running out behind a bunch of frightened citizens with a hand cannon strapped into is thigh holster, its very plausible to think that things may not end so well for Mr. Doe.
Not trying to dissuade anyone from OC, but pointing out that when nerves are on edge, and people are frighted, sometimes things arent so black and white as a normal thinking people might believe in an ordinary situation. ANY actions should be VERY clear as to your intentions when combining these circumstances.
Yep. I'm neither equipped or trained to "charge into battle". I'm gathering my family and we're putting distance between us and the action. If I have to, I'll defend myself.