Another excellent Tiger McKee article

[MoJo]

Here's another article by Tiger McKee from The Tactical Wire

Skill Set: It Can Happen Here
Editor's note: This piece was written before the events at a Littleton CO middle school became fully known. According to press reports, an apparently alert and prepared teacher intervened and disarmed the shooter in that case - bare handed. It's not always the best choice to attack an armed attacker when you are unarmed, but sometimes it's the only choice. We offer our respect and gratitude to math teacher Dr. David Benke, the heroic teacher who stopped the attack.

by Tiger McKee


Two weeks ago we had shootings at schools in Huntsville, AL. In the first situation a ninth grader shot another student during a class break. In the second a university professor shot other professors and staff during a meeting after she had been denied tenure. Since Huntsville is only about an hour away from us we heard from several of our students on this, and the first thing they did was to express their surprise and shock that this type thing occurred in Huntsville. The reality of life is that there is nowhere completely safe. Violence is not prejudiced. Trouble happens anywhere at any time.

Recognizing that violence can erupt at any time is the first step. The next step is to actually prepare for it. This is especially true in situations where you can't legally carry a "weapon." But we already know that being unarmed is a state of mind, and there are always weapons available, if you're creative. Part of your preparation is also coming up with a plan of action. Know where your exits are, even if exiting requires you going out a second story window. A broken leg or two is better than dead. You also need to prepare the rest of your family, especially children, who may have to deal with a lethal confrontation when you're not there to help. Freezing up when faced with a lethal threat usually doesn't work well. Teach them to run fast. Avoidance and escape are always on top of the list when it comes to violent confrontations.

When carrying a firearm things can get even more complicated. Throw family or friends into the equation and you'll need to figure out what your priorities are, quickly. Getting your weapon into the fight may become secondary to securing those with you into a safe position. Presenting your weapon and fighting can also draw attention to those with you, and the bad guys really don't care whether their bullets are on target or not.

We need to also consider that the threat may be someone you know, a friend or family member. This is an awful fact to ponder, but if it is the case there probably won't be time to talk them down or reason with them.

Helen Keller said it best: "Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men experience it." In the next second you're gonna be attacked. Are you ready? In today's world this is how you have to live, especially when others depend on your actions. Just remember there is a big difference between being prepared, ready to respond to violence, and paranoia, where you are convinced everyone is out to get you. The proper balance is required in all things.

You have two options. Being prepared to defend yourself and those who rely on you is the only acceptable one to choose.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy, located in northern Alabama, author of The Book of Two Guns, a staff member of several firearms/tactical publications, and an adjunct instructor for the F.B.I. (256) 582-4777 http://www.shootrite.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[joe817]

Great post MoJo! Thanks! Please keep them coming as they become available.

[cougartex]

Great article.