Run To the Gun Fire & DO SOMETHING!!
Posted by Gene on 12 Dec 2007 at 03:51 am | Tagged as: In the News
Recently there have been a number of shootings around the country where an individual has just indiscriminately opened fired on a group of people, randomly shooting and killing. The most recent, reported over the weekend, was at a Church in
What was different about this situation was how it ended. It is reported that Jeanne Assam a church member who had a pistol and a concealed weapons permit, (CCW), heard the shots, she ran to the sound of the gun fire and stopped the attack by shooting and killing the attacker. Most likely she saved dozens of lives.
In spite of the tragedy of lives lost and the after action trauma this woman will most likely face, there is some small good that can come out of this awful situation and that is this; because of this brave woman’s example we have an opportunity to Re-train at least some of the American population about How to react in a situation like this and how NOT to simply be Victims.
I have spent much of the last 27 years as a Professional Security Consultant, Bodyguard, Firearms Instructor and served a brief stint in law enforcement. Much of my training came from
Almost all of the recent attacks have been perpetrated by a single gunman. And, while the thought of attacking a shooter while unarmed is daunting, it may be the only road to survival.
I won’t pretend that I understand what is going on in the mind of these sick people. It is unfathomable to me to take innocent lives for absolutely no reason other than some sort of self-hatred. But, under extreme stress most people, including these violent individuals, experience “tunnel vision” which limits their focus down to what is happening immediately in front of them and reduces their peripheral vision. You can use this to your advantage by attacking the shooter at an angle or from the back or side. But you HAVE to attack. Throw things, run and tackle the shooter and keep on fighting.
But what happens if I get shot? There have been hundreds, even thousands of police related shootings where the bad guy was hit multiple times and didn’t immediately stop, go down or die. Often these people have survived an incredible number of gun shot wounds from trained professionals and have later walked into court unassisted. By attacking a shooter you may very well be severely wounded, possibly even critically and you might die later. But unless you are hit in one of a very few small, vital, and instantly disabling places on your body (brain, heart), you will be able to continue to fight for 30 seconds to a minute or more. In that amount of time you can quite possibly stop the attack.
What is the alternative? Run and be shot in the back or cower and be executed? By all means, if you have a second to take hard cover you may do so in order to quickly assess the situation, but Then you have to ACT FAST. To be in motion is to stay in motion. So it is better to be moving and attack.
In reality it is very hard for an untrained gunman to hit a moving target, especially one coming toward him with projected force. It’s almost impossible to consistently hit multiple targets that are swarming a shooter (we have demonstrated this time and time again in training). So IF we could change the mind set of Americans, so that they decide that they will Not allow themselves to be Victims, but rather will Fight in a situation like this, you might find that you are not alone in your response. It is very unlikely that he could stop all of you.
There is the possibility to attack with greater safety when a shooter has to reload, or when there is a jam or malfunction. But in reality you can not wait for these opportunities if you want to live and protect the lives of others. You must act and change the balance of control.
When attacking if possible throw objects at the attacker which can distract them and upset their perception of control and balance. This may fluster them thus slowing down the momentum of the attack and potentially saving lives. Again the point is DO SOMETHING.
Note: This morning, AFTER I wrote the above statements, it was revealed today that another UN-ARMED worshiper at the church in
That is when you have to attack without a weapon. However, it is far better to respond to a shooting by shooting. A well placed bullet can travel the distance between you and the attacker in a fraction of a second. Thankfully the number of licensed concealed weapons permits held by private citizens like Jeanne Assam is climbing across the country, particularly in States that recognize the advantage of armed, responsible individuals. We all need to encourage this practice and make sure that we can protect ourselves by requiring every State to change their laws to provide an opportunity for law biding citizens to protect themselves and others. This is a step in the right direction towards creating an environment of Individual Responsibility for ourselves first and then the protection of our neighbors.
Law enforcement and other officials have taught the public for last 40 years; “Don’t get involved, let the professionals handle it”. While these instructions were given with the best of intentions, this is obviously a failed approach when dealing with this type of situation and so we must re-train America’s citizens to ACT on their own to protect themselves, thus protecting others. While I greatly respect and am Thankful for law enforcement officers, paramedics, firemen and other public servants, we all must realize that to wait in a situation like this, is to risk losing your life and the lives of many others. So the time to prepare yourself is NOW. You must decide what you are going to do before it ever happens and hopefully it never will. How you train is how you will likely react.
I feel so strongly about this that I am going to give away a video that we produced in
www.AmericanGunsmith.com , click on “Shooting Technique” in the left hand column. Then click on the “Israeli Instinctive Combat Shooting Method” It will list the retail price when you put it into the shopping cart, but you will only be charged $5.97 shipping and handling (see the notes in the description). Please enter the promo code of Presoffer07(Expired) in the promo code at check-out.
(this Promo code has now expired. We still have this video for purchase at the normal $35.00 on our site.)
I am giving you this valuable video at no charge because I want you to have the information. Maybe it will save a few more lives. This offer is only good until 12-31-07 or until I run out of stock. You can also call Call 1-800-797-0867 and Leave a message with your name, complete address, credit card number for $5.97 shipping cost and a phone number. We will ship it out to you in the next 7-10 days. This is a one time limited offer subject to stock on hand.
Let’s all agree NOT to be victims and to try and protect our neighbors.
If you agree with the content of this email, feel free to pass it along to all your friends.
Best regards,
Gene Kelly
President AGI
President Executive Protection Products Inc.
www.AmericanGunsmith.com or www.EPSecurity.com
The right of self defense has been a long estblished fact in all civilized societies. It is the responsibility of a citizen to safe guard his family and fellow citizens when acts of violence occur. This is most important in our current atmosphere of violence and lawlessness.
The police have always been called, “law enforcement” and not “crime prevention”. The actual fact of crime prevention occurs with the citizen. We can take the steps suggested by law enforcement to reduce our exposure to criminal activity but, actual crime prevention stems from a well informed, well armed and mentally prepared citizenery. We as a society must take these steps or we will be caged by fear in our own homes and businesses.
Fear or Freedom? It is up to each citizen to make that decision.
Dear Gene,
It appears as if another shooting occured after your blog. There was another one in Las Vegas, Nevada at a school bus stop. Two armed youths open fired on other youths exiting a school bus. Sometimes i think there is a conspiracy out there to provide fuel for the anti-gunners. That these acts are purposely executed to bring about anti-gun sentiment and boost the efforts of anti-gun legislation.
Thanks for your efforts to help train those that would be willing to take the risk to save others and themselves.
thanks,
mike kunde
I fully agree and already bought this CD
Gene,
Am I permitted to copy and distribute this video to those who would most benefit from the information?
Sorry No. This is copyrighted information and we have to protect the copyright. This is also only a short term offer, that I am doing at my expense. We do normally sell the video. You may however show the original video to friends and family. Thanks for asking and for respecting our copyrights.
Best regards, Gene
Gene,
Just a week ago at 5AM my laser detector went off in my gunshop.
The Security called and said they would send an officer even though I had started clearing the house first by oppening the bedroom and letting my 5 dogs run through the upstairs of the house. I gave my wife a .38 and with a 1911w/laser in one hand and a flashlight in the other proceeded downstairs and though the garage to the shop. The shop was clear and as I started to go in the fenced backyard to clear it the local Sherrif pulls up. I asked him if he wanted me to drop my gun and let him take over and clear the yard? His answer was no, I’ve got 5 more calls to make and you have it under control. I then proceeded to clear the backyard with my dogs. I then started to think of the officer’s attitude. Was it a complement to my skills or his laziness? He came 10 minutes after the situation. Had it been an actual home invasion as we are having in Atlanta every day, an unarmed senior citizen, like myself, would be dead. I leave in one of the few places Kennesaw, GA, where it is a requirement for each homeowner to have a gun. Even that doesn’t stop these thugs from home invasion. Concealed carry should also be a requirement in every state. We cannot wait for the police to arrive as we must prepared to protect ourselves and brethen. WE MUST TAKE A STAND!
Thank You Gene,
I am requesting my copy right now.
John T. Stone
Thanks Gene,
I just completed my CCW course and applied to AR state for that license. This is a generous and really cool offer so thanks again.
Ron
Hi Gene, I wanted to thank you for the offer, and look forward to this DVD!
I agree with you completely that too often people act like sheep, they huddle together and say “oh no, we’re gonna die!” Instead of standing up and defending themselves.
Recently, there was a shooting st the bar across the street… When I heard the shots I grabbed the gun, my shorts, and the phone (note the order) calling the police on the way down the stairs I went after the shooter.
He was gone before I got out the door, the victim made it to the street, and died a week later in the hostpital.
The next day everyone that heard about it was shocked… “WHY didn’t you just stay inside?… You might have gotten hurt!”
The answer, simple really, ‘because it was the right thing to do’.
I am so disappointed, and annoyed with people like the young, strong students ran away, while an old man, a holocaust survivor barred the door with his life (VA tech)
We need to change our midset, stop thinking “the cops will protect us” (yeah, in an hour when they get here to clean up…) to “*I* will take care of myself”
Amen!!thank you
I have noticed in my travels that a lot of people expect the Authorities to be everywhere and seem to wait for help to arrive. A lot no longer have the survival instincts that a few of the older people seem to have. In natural disasters as well as these shootings the human race seems to sit and wait for help to come instead of starting on the road to recovery. I for one am angry at the knee jerk reactions of the noisy minority out weighing the requirements of the silent majority. Where I come from is a classic example of this reality. Australia is a good example of what the minority is trying to do to the gun ownership rules of the world. Yes have all firearms registered on a database also there is very little need for civilians to own combat rifles . But all others should be regulated as like in Australia it is the criminal element who all have firearms and the law abiding citizens don’t. I would hate to see this happen in the US.
Well thanks for letting me say my bit.
Bill
Gene,
My thoughts exactly!
Dave
Thank you for the dvd!
I hope to get it soon and pass it on to my family and friends!
The shootings that happened at the church and the mall should be a wake up call for our .gov to stop trying to take my right of self defense away.
I hope and pray that the Supreme court will rule like the Founding Fathers intended.
After I heard that the Supreme Court would be ruling on whether the Second Amendment is a collective or individual right, I knew there would be a series of high profile public shootings leading up to that decision. It’s tragic, but it is politics in action. This appears to be another case of “the ends justify the means.” Make no mistake, this is only the beginning. The agenda is to persuade the Supreme Court justices to rule against the Second Amendment. Hopefully Americans will have the sense to realize what was eloquently expressed by Jeffrey R. Snyder’s article entitled A Nation of Cowards. In it he said,
“The Bill of Rights does not grant rights to the people, such that its repeal would legitimately confer upon government the powers otherwise proscribed. The Bill of Rights is the list of the fundamental, inalienable rights, endowed in man by his Creator, that define what it means to be a free and independent people, the rights which must exist to ensure that government governs only with the consent of the people.”
“The repeal of the Second Amendment would no more render the outlawing of firearms legitimate than the repeal of the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment would authorize the government to imprison and kill people at will. A government that abrogates any of the Bill of Rights, with or without majoritarian approval, forever acts illegitimately, becomes tyrannical, and loses the moral right to govern.”
Gene,
Thank you for your thoughts and generous offer. More states must recognize the need for good citizens to protect ourselves and families whether that is at home or out in public by allowing carry permits. I can’t imagine the death toll that might have occured without an armed citizen being present at the scene. Even if you hate firearms, they are here to stay, if we prevent good people from having them, only the predators will. If you wait for the police to help you, you will most likely wind up dead. I have had to fight to stay alive and have been shot at, as well as having guns pointed in my face. I lived in Los Angeles and was not allowed to carry a firearm because of the government lack of insight.
Robert Dunn
Gene,
Thanks for the video offer. I’ve made up my mind long ago that I will do whatever I can to stop something like this if ever I have the chance. I’m a former Air Force Security Policeman and currently have a CCW. I keep running this through my mind as to what I would do. I’m sure the video will be very informative.
Thank You.
Brian Fogal
Center Line Michigan
Gene,
All I can say is “Amen Brother”!! It is time the American people start fighting back instead of cowering down and waiting to be executed. I have always gone towards the cry for help and always will. I thank God that I’ve never been involved in a gun fight, but I can guarnatee you that I will not retreat from one if some idiot decides to start shooting at innocent people. I got my license to carry not only to protect my family, but also everyone around me. And yes, I will be ordering your free film. Thank you for making that available to us.
Pat Krenek
Couldn’t agree more,the challenge of every-day life lies with the individual. Thank You for the Gift.Sincerely Kent
This is a great offer. Thanks but I already have purchased a copy of this quite some time ago. For those have not seen it it is a very good production and I would recommend taking Gene up on his offer………wjr
Gene,
I agree 100% with what you are saying. This nation has turned into a nation of spoiled sheep, most of whom believe the government must do for us what we should be doing for ourselves.
Tragedies such as these recent shootings against defenceless, unarmed persons seem to bring out the anti-gun crowd howling for more gun control. “Wait for the police”, they say, but how would they like to wait for those overworked police while they or a loved one is being shot at? Don’t they think if they had a gun or rock or club in their hand that they wouldn’t try to stop the attacker?
In truth, I am very suprised that the big 3 networks put that brave lady on TV in an interview, as it really points out what we have been saying for many years. “You must be prepared to defend yourself and others” against unwarrented cowardly attacks. And many thanks to the brave man who also rushed this coward. (of course we cannot forget the police who put their lives on the line every day!)
You make a very good point when you say that it is not at all easy for someone who is not trained to hit a moving target. This fact was really brought home to me and many others the last time I updated my CCW. After all of the required instructions were done, the instructor wanted to show us that just because we passed the AK CCW requirements, it doesn’t mean we can hit anything. He had an old lawn mower frame, (wheels and body only), that he tied a rope to and on top of the old lawn mower he taped a rather very large man shaped silhouette. He would give the rope to one person who was behind the shooter to pull the target towards the shooter. The shooter had his/her pistol cocked and ready to fire. At the command, the person on the rope would pull the target and the shooter was supposed to place all shots on target. Well, that was a real eye opener. The target moved much quicker than anyone thought and most people emptied their pistol at the target,(which was only 20 feet away at the start of the pull), and were lucky if one shot out of 8 hit any part of the target. It also demonstrated how quickly “tunnel vision” takes over. All I could see was just the target and nothing else and only 2 of my 7 shots hit the target and neither would have been fatal unless a major artery had been hit.
This shows us two things. One is, just as you say, it is very hard to hit a moving target and two, tunnel vision takes over almost immeditially so it would be very easy to rush someone from the “blind side”. All it takes now is the guts to do so….
Hi Gene,
Thanks for offering the DVD.
Hopefully, people will here what you’ve said and take it to heart.
I already have the DVD, so I won’t ask for another.
Just think how many of these shootings wouldn’t happen if only 5 to 10% of our country carried a concealed weapon, a person wanting to do evil would have to contend with an unknown number of people who were willing and able to return the favor.
David Russell
Gene:
Your comments are right on! I have never been in that situation, thankfully, and hope I never will be. I honestly don’t know how I would react, but I agree that doing something is better than doing nothing. It’s very hard to hit a moving target (as evidenced by my empty game bag on many-a quail hunting trip). Plus, if you throw things (chairs, books, soda cans, anything!) and yell at the attacker, you will distract him/her further.
As far a “let the pros handle it” goes, sure, if a policeman were present, I’d take cover and let him or her do their job. BUT - In how many of these recent shootings has a policeman been there? NONE! I have the utmost respect for law enforcement officers, but they simply cannot be everywhere at once. It is our duty as human beings to take responsibility for our own safety and that of our family.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Amen, Mr. Kelly. I intend to print and distribute this blog at my class tonight. I am a handgun training instructor and tonight I am starting with a new class. This will be a perfect introduction and explanation of my goals for these students. Thank you.
Thank you for speaking up on this important topic. Well done.
Hi Gene, I totally agree. I’m a retired Hospital Corpsman, Viet Nam Vet, and I really think that it’s time to re-instate discipline, to start preventing actions like this to occur. Thanks to the media, it used to be crazed War Vet (WW11), or Korea. Now, it’s just out of control, spoiled kids. I too, am concealed carry, and I pray to God that I never have to use it. Thanks very much for your thoughts for, they’re on the right track. Nobody wants to get involved!
looks like you’ll have two sets of comments from me, but, that’s okay, for I feel very strongly about the topic, and in total agreement with you. I only wish that more people would wake up before it’s totally too late!
Thank you Gene for posting what we should all have been taught as kids, or probably were and have long since forgotten.
My parents always told us to yell out if there was something that was going to happen that may harm us, (strangers in cars with offers of rides, or such). And thankfully they may have saved my life with this advice, or at least some unfortunate trauma many years ago.
Diversionary tactics DO WORK folks, my ex-wife and I turned a potential mugging in downtown Baltimore into a “UMM,Spare some Change ,Man?” situation, simply by breaking our hand holding and stepping apart as this guy crossed the street, and came straight for us. He was well enough aware of what had just happened that he actually grinned at us, because he could no longer tell who the Victim might become. Nor who, of the two of us, was a greater threat to him.
PLEASE, PLEASE, Help your friends be aware of how they are truly part of the real solution, and hopefully they will share this with their friends, and so on…
It’s my understanding that the SCUS has previously ruled that the Police are here to protect the PUBLIC, you are personally responsible for your own protection. Our neighbors whom have chosen to serve their country and community, cannot be every where at once. Nor would we want them to be. Therefore we are, and need to act as our first responders.
Such Selflessness, Awareness, Action, and Aid demonstrated so recently in Colorado, are the best community builders, that WE THE PEOPLE possess. And hopefully, our Great Grandchildren will be living without the fears that allow such heinous events to occur, and enjoy the Freedom and Rights that so many before us have fought for.
Gene,
You’re singing to the choir. I have an unrestricted carry permit in New York State (that was not easy), and I feel that it is not a priviledge, but my right and my duty to carry. I even carry (in a tasteful fanny pack) to church. Why? Because I don’t believe that the New Life incident will be the last time that this will happen.
Just as an aside, I lived in Colorado Springs in 97-98, and New Life was my church.
Thanks for what you do. Still looking over the info you sent me on the professional gunsmithing courses, but I may just go the a la carte route and buy more armorer’s courses.
Fred
Right on, Gene.
I’m not sure exactly what the problem is, but people today seem to be ready to run, be intimidated, or just roll over and die when something like this happens. These same people want to take away our right to bear arms, but as you know that will just leave all of us open to and helpless in any attack of this sort. For the most part people have quit serving their fellow man and their country. I served during Viet Nam and am firmly of the opinion that every American should be required to serve in the military or in community service in some fashion.
Hooray, for Jeanne Assam and Larry Bourbannais for doing what they did and possibly saving many more lives.
I, too, will carry a weapon as soon as I get my concealed carry permit. One of the first things I learned in the military and the Military Police is to run toward the attack and do whatever you can do to decisively end the situation. Therefore if I’m ever faced with this situation I will run toward the fire.
Just my opinion.
John
Good, solid, logical thinking. You are right…the world and it’s dangers have evolved. Retraining and rethinking are needed.
Bob
Hi gene
thanks for the offer and the great read i have been a little out of the news for a while and did not hear about the shootings in co. i truly do belive in atack being the best defence and i am full of admiration for this woman.
unfortunatly after the port arther atack here in australia
thing are starting to go the same way as in britan. for years i have maintaind a gun licence and even when i did not own a gun with the government asking me to hand in my licence i kept it and joind our ssaa club and i am curntly aplying for a pistol licence. unfortunatly i cant take you up on your offer as you dont post to australia. i am looking into getting a us postal box that will redirect mail to me. keep up the good work and hopefully we can chang the mind of the media hear in aus.
Gene,
Long time. Hope you remember me, retired as a lieut. in the SF Sheriff’s Emergency Services Unit. Terry H. introduced us years ago. For a while I was an inst. police officer at the museums.
I am now teaching students to attack gun wielding attackers who get into the room. The school has giving me its blessings, it is part of my overall “Survival” class. I teach cover, concealment, E&E, smokescreening, etc. but once that armed badguy gets in the door…distract and attack.
Email me back and I can send you some jpg. photos of my students in action.
Take care.
Gary
In Nebraska, any one 21 years of age and no felony record can apply and obtain a concealed carry permit. By law you can carry any place other than schools, bars, church, malls or places posting limitations. This makes these places a safe place to execute any act of vengeance desired without fear. Tighter gun control is not the answer. The shooter at Westroads in Omaha was 19/20 years old and had felony record. He stole the gun from his step father.
As a law abiding gun owner, we need to stand up and be counted. We need to secure our weapons from others. We need to be aware of our surroundings and be prepared to act however we can best serve our fellow man. Even if that sacrifice impacts us and/or our lives. No one has the right to be judge, jury and executioner.
its our right to defend ourselves aginst any attack foregin and domestic. and not be lambs at slaughter. so stand up people protect your rights. Texas State Rifle Association. and the NRA. are fightng for ours so when they ask for help. Join, Donate, and Vote! its your rights as well as mine.
“range officer”
Garland Public Shooting Range
Gene,
Well said. I think the public has forgotten that we need to step forward and help one another instead of just continuing to walk down the street past a problem. I remember many years ago a young woman being attacked on the streets of New York, people walking by, looking at the attack and ignoring everything. Not one even took the time to call 911 or anything.
Another that comes to mind is the two cops stopping the two armed white supremists in Iowa, one trying to hold the driver while the second cop ran back to his patrol car when the passenger got out and opened fire. We were tought, just as you said, to attack. I’ve said for years that the cop should have charged forward using the back of the suburban as cover and then taken out the shooter from that position. Instead both got away only to be captured much later.
As I have a ccw and am retired both from the military and Sheriff’s Dept, maybe my point of view is different from most, but, your “attack” is the right way nearly always.
Great letter, and hope you continue to speak out just as you did on this subject.
Dusty Rhoads, Idaho
I have already purchased the Israeli shooting method, just need to find the time to set down and view it end to end. Nice of you to offer it to others who either belong to AGI’s Inner Circle.
Dusty
Thank you Gene.
It’s good to know that there are others out there that know what must be done. Nobody wants to step into a situations such as these. But do we really have the right to turn our backs on others when they are being hurt, and we have both the knowledge and the tools to stop it from happening. I think not. I have said after each one of these incidents, that if there was just one person present with a CCW, a firearm, and the basic training to use it, the loss of life would have been much lower.
The simple facts are these — we are responsible for our safety.
Greg
I JUST READ THIS AND IT HIT ME HARD. I HAVE A CCW AND TRY TO CONVINCE EVERYONE I FEEL SHOULD HAVE ONE, TO GET ONE ,THIS IS JUST MORE FOR ME TO USE. THERE ARE ALSO FREINDS THAT DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY I CARRY THIS IS ANOTHER REASON. I’VE BEEN WANTING THIS DVD, JUST COULDN’T SEE SPENDING THE DOUGH. THANKS FOR THE OFFER
WILLIAM