[michaelbsc]

Well, DHS has released a video of how to react in the event of an active shooting.

For the first time in the history of our recent government the sheep are being told to fight back rather than sit pallidly idle waiting for the great rescuers to come save you.

http://www.federalnewsradio.com/473/2966001/DHS-funded-video-gives-tips-to-survive-a-shooter

Now for the government this present a sticky situation. Here they are forced to admit that you just might have to defend yourself. But obviously in the video your supposed to do it with a fire extinguisher against a shotgun.

Who-hoo. That's the odds I want on my side. BG gets Mossberg, I get dry chemical fire extinguisher. I feel safer already.

But I did note that the end scene in the video shows that instead of the police SWAT coming to clear the building it's the USMC's new domestic law enforcement units.


{EDIT: Maybe this should have been in discussion and planning. If the moderators want to move it OK.}

Now, how do we take this change in strategy by the government, telling the population to be prepared to fight back instead of merely cower like sheep, and tell them how to fight back effectively?

[txgunsuscg]

Pretty sure that is HPD SWAT, not Marines...

[michaelbsc]

Pretty sure that is HPD SWAT, not Marines...

Yeah. I did figure that out. Was going to edit it but couldn't on my phone.

Regardless, we need to seize on the fact that the authorities are admitting that you need to be able to act in your own defense.

That's the point. And I'm saying that we should be making the case that a firearm, not a fire extinguisher is an appropriate response.

I'm not saying that we need Rambo. All the "armed citizen" arguments are scattered around here already.

What I'm saying is that prior to now the "official" position has always been that the authorities are totally capable of protecting you.

And now they are exposing a crack in their armor.

[michaelbsc]

OK, I did a little research on the video itself.

Seems that Houston got federal funding, so while it is an HPD production it has federal strings.

The YouTube link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0

Now, as I originally stated, for I cannot remember how long, the "official" positions have always been sit and wait for rescue, no matter what the crisis. Witness everything from Katrina on down.

But here is a tacit admission that you have to be involved in your own survival. Much like the mindset of a few generations ago. (Not surprising coming from a bunch of Texans.)

So what I'm saying is that while the opportunity exists we need to advocate that the fight response is far more effective in a society where the odds are equal than in one where the victims are sitting ducks.

And we need to hold the government's feet to the fire to admit that people have to be involved in their own safety, just like they've admitted here.

[X-Rap]

What I'm saying is that prior to now the "official" position has always been that the authorities are totally capable of protecting you.

And now they are exposing a crack in their armor. __________________

Ya think? Its more like a canyon.
For years we have been led down some primrose path that tried to make us believe that we were safe and well protected by our EMS and LE agencies when reality says they are there almost always after the fact.
I don't care if it is a heart attack, flood, fire or an active shooter the action is well on its way buy the time they get there and we all will do well to start recognizing that and preparing ourselves.
Don't expect them to ever publicly recommend you possess and train with a firearm to defend yourself or other but off the record I think that response is often different.
Part of what has turned us into a debtor nation is our obsession for someone else to protect us, it has given rise to all these agency's needing to find other things to occupy themselves when not doing their original jobs and them being authorities it in turn diminishes our freedoms due to them ever increasingly mingling in our day to day affairs.

[paramedic70002]

So why wasn't the HPD SWAT team carrying high capacity military grade fire extinguishers?

[hso]

The fed has been telling people that they're responsible for themselves since they started telling them to keep 3 days of food and water around.

The DHS Active Shooter posters and pocket cards (http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_pocket_card.pdf) recommend taking direct action as a last resort when your life is threatened. Considering that most people don't carry a firearm they're directing their message to the average worker in an office that has little more than a stapler to use (the old Swingline steel staplers were impressive).

They are not going to tell the average person to get a gun and carry it in the workplace when the employer may not permit it. They're going to address the most common situation and trust people that carry are smart enough to be able to substitute "office supply" for personal firearm.

[Hugo]

Good Video. For Extra Credit....


Seems like they're starting to take the advice of Cade Courtley on his sadly one season show, Surviving Disaster. Sadly, his show was on back in 2009! Listen to the Navy Seal when it comes to fighting bad guys with guns (and other disaster related topics)! They know that subject very well, and are very realistic on dealing with it! Ignore the talking heads and academics, and go with the people who have (verifiable) first hand experience.

I like how in each show he covers different scenarios, usually bad and worse case bad.

Here is one Dealing with being trapped in a mall like the Mumbai Terror attacks.
http://www.spike.com/full-episodes/3w9eyj/surviving-disaster-mall-shooting-season-1-ep-107

Other shows are good too, but creepy to think about, nuclear explosion, pandemic, high rise fire, home invasion, etc...
http://www.spike.com/shows/surviving-disaster

[hso]

The advice from the "expert" in the video said to get out of the kill zone as soon a possible, flee to safety or hide in a secure location and to fight only when forced to. That's consistent with most active shooter advice.

[Hugo]

Nice to see they're pushing the right ideas of "Run", "Hide", and now adding the "Fight" part. Wish they would encourage CCW though. The video looks to have been filmed in Texas since the door has a 30.06 sign the Bad Guy clearly is ignoring, along with many other laws.

This video was well done so Thumbs Up to DHS and Houston, and make more like this.
Please show your HR dept this video. Preparedness helps everyone.

Also, one good tip I saw on the News once with the PD teaching kids in schools on what to do in this situation. Use the fire extinguisher to spray the attacker in the face, then hit him in the head with the extinguisher tank. The Chair and pot of hot coffee isn't a bad second either.

www.readyhoustontx.gov
Try to get your city to do this video and website too. Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland, etc....

Here's the Youtube link, audio in English
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VcSwejU2D0&feature=channel&list=UL


Same video with Audio in Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fUcq1M5a44&feature=channel&list=UL

[gfanikf]

Seems like they're starting to take the advice of Cade Courltey on his sadly one season show, Surviving Disaster. Sadly, his show was on back in 2009! Why so slow to wake the heck up idiots! Listen to the fracking Navy Seal when it comes to fighting bad guys with guns (and other related topics)! They know that subject very well, and are very realistic on dealing with it! Ignore the talking heads and academics, and go with the people who have (verifiable) first hand experience.

Here is one Dealing with being trapped in a mall like the Mumbai Terror attacks.
http://www.spike.com/full-episodes/3w9eyj/surviving-disaster-mall-shooting-season-1-ep-107

Other shows are good too, but creepy to think about, nuclear explosion, pandemic, high rise fire, hostage taking, etc...
http://www.spike.com/shows/surviving-disaster
Oh man that show was kinda hilarious and overblown. I like when he teaches how to make an improvised suppressor.

[ezkl2230]

The fed has been telling people that they're responsible for themselves since they started telling them to keep 3 days of food and water around.

The DHS Active Shooter posters and pocket cards (http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_pocket_card.pdf) recommend taking direct action as a last resort when your life is threatened. Considering that most people don't carry a firearm they're directing their message to the average worker in an office that has little more than a stapler to use (the old Swingline steel staplers were impressive).

They are not going to tell the average person to get a gun and carry it in the workplace when the employer may not permit it. They're going to address the most common situation and trust people that carry are smart enough to be able to substitute "office supply" for personal firearm.
The DHS training has little to do with the average citizen; it has everything to do with federal employees who are forbidden to carry firearms on federal property. The problem with this policy is that it was also applied to some armed federal law enforcement agencies as well. Suddenly, armed LEOs were forbidden to use their service weapons on federal property to defend themselves and their co-workers. They had to call 911 like everyone else and wait for the cavalry to arrive.

[popper]

Fight or flight has always been the advice, with flight coming first and fight second, as if your life depends on it - probably does. Any of us wimps ready to play hero and stand up to an armed individual? We talk tough cause we OWN guns.

[hso]

The DHS training has little to do with the average citizen; it has everything to do with federal employees who are forbidden to carry firearms on federal property.

The vast majority of people don't carry so the information is valid for the majority of people in this country. This includes the majority of gun owners who also don't carry and the majority of carry permit holders who don't carry all the time or find themselves in situations that don't permit them to carry. It even is valid for people who carry all the time. Substitute the advice on when/where to use improvised weapons to when/where to use your carry weapon.

[HorseSoldier]

Seems like it might be a positive step in a better direction than we've been heading. For the last few years I've had to annually wade through mandatory army training on active shooters, kidnapping attempts and the like where the only answers allowable amount to be sheeple, cooperate, and hope for help.

[JohnKSa]

This includes the majority of gun owners who also don't carry and the majority of carry permit holders who don't carry all the time or find themselves in situations that don't permit them to carry.It's surprising how few people have permits, even where it's relatively easy to acquire them. And it's even more surprising how few carry even after jumping through the hoops to acquire a permit. In TX, only about 2% of the population has a permit. My guess is that less than half of those who have permits carry on a regular basis based on my informal survey of local gun club members.

That means that even in a fairly large group of people where guns can be carried and permits are easily acquired it's unlikely that anyone is armed legally.

[Double Naught Spy]

I think you estimate is high because it is based on those who are active shooters who do things like going to gun ranges and such. I would put the number closer to 20% or lower based on speaking with people in CHL classes.

Some do carry regularly, but it may only be in the evenings and weekends, but not the rest of the time because they can't carry at work and won't carry a gun in the car for travel to and from work. They may only carry in the evenings and weekends when they are out of the house.

So the DHS stressing CCW would really only apply currently to a much smaller amount of the population than might be thought.